What are the responsibilities and job description for the Crisis Outreach Specialist position at The Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida?
POSITION: Crisis Outreach Specialist
REPORTS TO: Outreach Program Manager
STATUS: Full Time- Hourly
REPORTS TO: Outreach Program Manager
STATUS: Full Time- Hourly
Position Summary:
The Crisis Outreach Specialist will identify and build rapport with homeless individuals in Orange County. Will assist clients in breaking the cycle of homelessness by moving from accessing, to linking to necessary social services, and rapidly obtaining permanent housing. Will provide individualized support throughout by developing a service plan to address barriers, increase personal income, and offer a better place to stay until permanent housing goal achieved.
Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Crisis Outreach Specialist will design a plan to identify areas in which families need assistance to accomplish outlined goals and objectives. The Crisis Outreach Specialist is an integral member of the Coalition Housing Team and works collaboratively with all aspects of community programs, representatives from Housing Programs and local Continuum of Care (CoC), and representatives of other nonprofit agencies and the faith community. All Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida employees should demonstrate our organizational values and sensitivity to the diversity of the organization’s client base.
Skills and Abilities:
This position requires multi-tasking, coordination with community partners, and some direct participant services. Housing First and Trauma Informed Care trainings are a plus. Exhibit patience and understanding when dealing with guests, as many have been through recent trauma.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Working in the community via outreach van 3-5 days a week. Typically, we are working at different agencies and organizations.
- Perform program enrollment with the new clients at community impact initial visit, or phone conversation & complete Crisis Outreach Triage form and necessary data.
- Ensure they are oriented to community outreach practices and protocols.
- Provide supportive services in a nonjudgmental manner.
- Provide information, referrals, linkages, and advocacy to assist clients in accessing services and resources.
- Assist clients with procuring necessary documents and services such as identification card, birth certificate, social security income, disability income.
- Identify appropriate permanent housing options for clients such as bridge housing, subsidized housing, Section 8, and VASH, as well as permanent supportive housing, affordable and market rate housing, and other housing opportunities.
- Maintain client related data tracking systems including case notes and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) entries.
- Prepare case-related reports including outcomes, successes, and challenges.
- Generate client data for monthly reports.
- Maintain complete and accurate documentation of service objectives and outcomes as well as other services in accordance with federal, state and local guidelines.
- Complete follow-up and retention services and provide back-up documentation in client files.
- Outreach to community, business owners, and other service providers to identify new and existing opportunities and build strong relationships to assist clients in accessing resources, employment, supportive services, and housing opportunities.
- Respond to community requests for outreach interventions.
- Participate in meetings and trainings.
- Network with other agencies, churches, pantries, shelters and local community groups.
- Coordinate the intake process through effective referrals.
- Create weekly supply list, and complete supply run.
- Arrange transportation for guests as needed.
- Refer and coordinate weekly folios with hotel managers to ensure timely payment for services.
- Coordinate housing services with Housing Specialists to ensure timely exit from shelter to housing.
- Monitor shelter length of stay and coordinate case conferences periodically.
- Coordinate with Housing Stability Case Manager for exit planning to permanent housing and successful community connections and transition.
- Collaborate with and support community service providers by delivering high quality technical assistance, program support and training.
- Other duties as assigned by the Outreach Program Manager.
Education and Experience:
A Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Public Administration, Social Work, or related field; or equivalent background with five (5) years of experience working with homelessness, poverty, housing, mental health and human services.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Strong relationship builder and communicator with a customer service focus.
- Ability to learn, understand and adhere to HUD guidelines, policies and procedures.
- Ability to learn best practice models, including Housing First, Mental Health Recovery, Harm Reduction, and Trauma Informed Care. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Knowledge of and experience in working with HMIS and other spreadsheets and databases.
- Proficient in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel) and computer usage to include email, internet and presentations.
Certificate, Licenses, Registrations:
- Hold a valid driver license
- FBI Background Level 2 Finger Printed
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person or by telephone. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk and bend; to use his or her hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and to reach with his or her hands and arms. The employee must also be able to sit for extended periods of time. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move object weighing up to 40 pounds.
Work Environment:
The position involves attention to detail and extensive organizational skills. The employee will work as part of a team as well as interface with clients, agencies and funders. The employee will spend significant portions of time in the field, and sometime in the office setting. The employee will likely encounter and be expected to address challenges associated with clients’ experiences with long-term homelessness, mental health and substance abuse concerns, and other barriers to obtaining decent, affordable housing. This is a full-time position requiring 40 hours per week. Additional hours are occasionally required. Work generally occurs Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m., and some weekends & evenings.
This description is intended to describe the essential job functions and the essential requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time. This is Temporary, Full-Time grant position. Team Members hired as interim replacements to temporarily supplement the workforce or assist in completing a specific project are temporarily scheduled to work the Coalition's full-time schedule for a limited duration. Employment beyond any initially stated period does not in any way imply a change in employment status. Generally, team members are subject to each grant assignment's terms, conditions, and limitations as applicable for benefits.
