Position Overview

Outreach is a fast-paced and very hands-on job requiring high-levels of nuanced people skills and extreme flexibility as well as self-management by those who are comfortable in a wide variety of unconventional situations working with a very challenged population.

The Outreach Navigator Peer Specialist will build rapport with identified homeless individuals and families living on the street or in vehicles. To assist clients in breaking the cycle of homelessness, the Peer Specialist functions on a multi-disciplinary outreach team with the primary goal of advocacy and support for the client. Through a peer-to-peer lens, the Peer Specialist will advocate for the client, center the client’s voice and goals in the individualized service plan, and use personal lived experience to build trust and develop a relationship with the client. Key actions are to listen to the client and take their story as truth, to educate the client on options of recovery and self-sufficiency, and to offer coping skills. The successful Peer Specialist will instill confidence of a brighter future and the client’s ability to have mastery over their own success.

Responsibilities:

• Observe, listen and calm potential clients with active and passive skills

• Provide immediate support and advocacy with potential clients, including assisting clients in articulating personal goals for recovery and crisis stabilization.

• Draw on all collaborative resources as possible interventions early in navigation experience.

• Rapidly respond to requests that come through the Resource Line for assistance in the community to assist homeless individuals on the streets and in parks.

• Perform outreach services, contacting homeless persons in all places where they congregate in the geographic areas covered under our contracts.

• Coordinate intake and individualized needs assessment for all clients and work with clients to develop Individualized Service Plans (ISP) that address barriers to obtain services/housing and/or perform a warm handoff to Housing Navigators.

• Monitor and evaluate client’s progression through their Individual Service Plan (ISP), and develop modifications to the plan as necessary with the case manager.

• Provide supportive services in a non-judgmental manner.

• Drive the outreach vehicle and transport clients to appropriate services. Occasional personal vehicle use to transport clients may be necessary.

• Crisis intervention for homeless in the community.

• 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(s), birth certificate, social security income, disability income with aid from the case managers.

• Provide Diversion assistance through Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, and the cognitive approach in order to achieve self-sufficiency.

• When necessary, identify appropriate permanent housing options for clients such as subsidized housing, Section 8, Shelter Plus Care, and VASH, as well permanent supportive housing, affordable and market rate housing, and other housing opportunities with support of the Housing Coordinator

• Assist clients with housing applications, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, survey rental market for affordable housing, and advocate for clients with prospective landlords with support of the Senior Housing Managers and Navigators.

• Maintain client related data tracking systems, including case notes and complete HMIS entries with support of Homeless Services Coordinator.

• Log and maintain client engagements and outcomes accurately and on-time.

• Generate client data for monthly reports.

• Mediate disputes between homeless persons and community members/neighborhood stakeholders.

• Attend collaborative meetings.

• Assist POLM to identify and develop fresh peer specialist protocols and practices

• Actively participate in staff meetings and trainings.

• Network with other agencies, coalitions, and local community meetings.

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Substantive and sustained lived experience and demonstrated personal recovery

• Experience providing peer or mental health support, including crisis intervention and anti-violence training

• Mentorship experience

• Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree preferred or equivalent experience in a related field

• Two years in street outreach experience

• Computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office. HIMS training a plus

• Project a professional demeanor

• Able to work independently and as part of a team

• Exercises mature professional judgment

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Maintain a regular attendance

• Maintain and execute confidential information

• Highly motivated self-starter and ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously in a high-pressure environment

• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse communities

• Good problem solving and conflict resolution skills

Physical Requirements:

• Walking extensive distances

• Walking on unlevelled terrain

• Carrying up to 30lbs for extensive distances

• Navigators are also required to work for many hours out of their vehicles making many stops throughout the day

Required Qualifications:

• Employment eligibility verification

• Reliable personal (not public) transportation available at all times

• Successful completion of background screening

• Successful approval of driving background check and insurance