What are the responsibilities and job description for the DHS Outreach Specialist position at Pathways To Housing DC Inc?
The Outreach Specialist is a part of a larger Homeless Services Team (HST) at Pathways to Housing DC. The Homeless Services Team includes multiple street outreach teams whose goals are to engage and support individuals experiencing homelessness. Our outreach staff works to build trust by helping clients meet some of their basic needs (including food, clothing, showers, laundry, transportation, identification, benefits etc.). Then, we partner with everyone to access housing, employment, medical care, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and other services.
The Homeless Services Team also responds to concerns about people experiencing homelessness in the area from, city government, other social service providers, business owners, workers, residents, and visitors. When medical or psychiatric crises occur, the Homeless Services Team intervenes when appropriate and follows up to ensure seamless medical or psychiatric care.
The DHS Encampment Housing Navigator will provide case management, benefit establishment, linkage to Mental Health/Substance Abuse services, weekly/biweekly site visits, and linkage to all other supportive services as needed. The Navigator will develop individualized plans to address the barriers of up to 20 clients until each person is connected to their permanent housing provider.
Approximately 85% of the time will be spent in the community, directly providing services to persons who are living on the street, shelter, or in housing. Shift schedules include an 8-hour shift between 8:30am-9 pm (8:30am-11pm during hypothermia season), Monday through Friday. Successful candidates are committed to a housing first approach, ending homelessness and have a fundamental belief that hope, and recovery are always possible.
Please note: This is a highly competitive role. A video phone screen is required to move forward with your application. Please do not submit for consideration if you do not intend to complete the next step prior to the in-person interview.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Complete the assessment, planning, crisis mitigation, service coordination, monitoring, and re-assessment for a caseload of already established clients.
- Identify each area in which clients will need assistance to accomplish the outlined goals and objectives (i.e. scheduling appointments, applying for public benefits, obtaining vital documents, etc.)
- Ensure documentation of client notes are entered into HMIS within 48 hours of client engagement/collateral contact.
- Provide life skills training to clients.
- Collaborate with other agencies to eliminate barriers for individuals to receive necessary services and housing.
- Ensure client’s bills are sent to finance dept in a timely manner.
- Establish and maintain relationships with landlords, property management companies, realtors, public housing authorities, and permanent/supportive housing providers.
- Engage in encampment related outreach as needed.
- Perform related work as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree or related field experience required.
- Excellent communication, writing, database management, and computer skills.
- 1-2 years’ experience working in homeless outreach or providing direct services to persons experiencing homelessness preferred;
- Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction theory/applications preferred.
- Knowledge of mental health and substance abuse clinical skills preferred.
- Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.
- Knowledge of DC social service resources a plus.
- Driver’s License preferred.
