Unsheltered Housing Navigation-QT

Description

ROOF ABOVE

Roof Above is NC’s most comprehensive homeless service provider.  Our mission is to unite our community to end homelessness, one life at a time.  Focusing on individuals experiencing homelessness, Roof Above offers everything from street outreach to shelter to Rapid Rehousing to Permanent Supportive Housing. Roof Above’s services and programs reach over 1,300 individuals every day across nine campuses in Charlotte. Roof Above was born through the merger of Urban Ministry Center and Men’s Shelter of Charlotte in 2019. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Housing Navigator QT Street Outreach position provides services to individuals who are unsheltered and living on the streets or in a place not meant for human habitation. The position is on a team specific to a partnership with the QuikTrip (QT) corporation. Subsequently, the primary outreach footprint is QT locations (and designated surrounding areas) within Mecklenburg County. The primary goal of the position is to help an individual connect to a permanent housing solution. Outreach will include rapport building, helping individuals with basic needs, and connecting individuals to other appropriate resources. The position may also provide outreach services outside of the primary designated areas, as directed, to assist with broader coverage across the County. Hours are full-time (40 hours/week). The schedule of days/hours will be determined prior to formally hiring.  The Unsheltered Housing Navigation-QT position is predominantly field-based. This position primarily works in the field.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Regularly visiting and canvassing QT locations and surrounding areas to engage with individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Seeking pathways for individuals to secure permanent housing.
• Completing Permanent Supportive Housing applications, Coordinated Entries, and appropriately documenting engagement and outreach within the Bitfocus Homeless Management Information System.
• Connecting individuals to other appropriate resources and ensuring that individuals are document-ready for housing.
• Transporting individuals to appointments and other appropriate resources.
• Conducting crisis intervention and management services when needed, utilizing de-escalation techniques, and connecting individuals with appropriate levels of care.
• Participating in relevant community meetings, workgroups, and/or partnerships to fold into the system of Outreach within Mecklenburg County.
• Helping individuals connect to and access basic needs.
• Collaborating with other Roof Above program team members as appropriate.
• Participating in staff training and development activities as directed.

Qualifications

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• A bachelor’s degree is required.
• Prior experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Understanding and use of databases and data analysis.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record is required.
• Ability to take initiative with minimal direction.
• Ability to prioritize when facing multiple responsibilities and tasks.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Attitude and Courtesy: Is respectful and courteous to others, practice the ability to cooperate. Is attentive to the concerns, ideas, and issues expressed by others. Shows consideration for and values the opinions of neighbors, other staff, volunteers, and donors.
• Demonstrate proper judgment and decision-making skills. Secure relevant information, appropriately identify causes of problems, and take or recommend appropriate courses of action.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Housing Navigator QT Street Outreach position is part of a team rooted in a partnership with QuickTrip (QT). This means that the outreach services are available to any QT within Mecklenburg County, with the flexibility to concentrate our efforts on the stores prioritized by QT. The workflow of these six team members will be a combination of regularly scheduled check-ins along with the ability for quick response at the request of QT partners. The primary focus of the engagement will be onsite at QT locations; however, the team will have flexibility to engage within an agreed upon radius around any QT store to proactively identify individuals who may frequent the store. The team will also inform and be in communication with other street outreach service providers within Mecklenburg County.

The team will outreach in the spirit of Roof Above’s vision of service provision, which prioritizes housing. The team builds rapport with individuals believed to be homeless, connects them with appropriate resources and services including shelter and pathways to housing. This team is not responsible for telling individuals to leave an area or responding to destructive and dangerous behavior. 

The team, when fully staffed, will operate six days a week – Monday through Saturday.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Individual must be able to work with limited supervision, embrace a fast-paced environment, and be comfortable de-escalating negative behaviors with diverse individuals including persons with mental illness and substance use issues. Must be able to stand for long periods of time. Must also be comfortable with mobile working. This team is intended to be outside, on the streets, with desk space being offered from time to time (as needed) at various locations operated by Roof Above.

OUR VALUES:

Heart for the Work 

• We choose this work and embrace this place.
• We practice radical compassion.
• We each do our unique part to end homelessness.

Solution-Oriented

• Grounding ourselves in what we know, we imagine what is possible.
• We are intentional about getting the right people involved and we move towards effective action.
• We are exhaustive in our search for solutions.

Bring Our Best

• We practice self-care, self-awareness, and safety.
• We recognize what we need to let go of to move forward.
• We exercise diligence and grit.

Value Others

• We honor the profound worth of each life and our work reflects it.
• We meet people where they are and approach others with genuine curiosity.
• We know we can’t do it alone.  We are stronger and smarter together.

Roof Above is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees