ERT Peer Outreach Specialist

POSITION:    Peer Outreach Specialist 

DEPARTMENT:    ODAAT/Outreach Services

REPORTS TO:    ERT Coordinator/Director of Outreach Services

PROGRAM SUMMARY

One Day At A Time (ODAAT) is a partner of the Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC). ODAAT houses men and women who are afflicted by addiction and homelessness. Case management services and prevention for HIV/AIDS is also offered at select locations. Through our holistic array of services ODAAT, consumers can expect the support of ODAAT staff to bring systems together to help achieve positive outcomes. Staff offer support in the following areas: recovery coaching and mentoring, linkage to health and social services, transitional housing, and community outreach.

One Day at a Time (UAC-ODAAT) operates a specialized outreach team known as the Encampment Resolution Team (ERT) which identifies, responds to, and resolves encampments using a social services-led process. Specifically, the role of the ERT is to establish relationships with those in the encampments, gain an understanding of their specific needs and goals, engage and connect them with services. The ERT will work to connect individuals to available housing resources, social service supports, as well as work with stakeholders to identify and leverage additional resources as needed. This scope provides an overview of the ERT, its role, composition, how it connects to the broader policy, as well as define and detail the scope of its primary engagement services.

POSITION SUMMARY

Employees in this job areresponsible for engaging homeless persons, determining needs, offering services, and follow-up. Add, collate and account for individuals in the field in the identified and targeted encampment via appropriate social service/case management methodology. Under the direction of the ERT Outreach Coordinator, the Peer Outreach Specialist will respond to calls assigned by the Coordinator or Director of Outreach Services, Chief of Staff or designated OHS official regarding homeless persons on the street in Philadelphia. The incumbent will remain in constant contact with their team in order to appropriately assess, evaluate, refer and/or intake clients in the field or at ODAAT and provide clinical support for necessary services. The Specialist may also be required to provide and/or assist the DBH outreach team and its activity.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

•    Respond to requests from the ERT Coordinator and/or Peer Outreach Coordinator to engage homeless persons at specified locations

•    Follow-up on unresolved response calls using digital response forms

•    Engage homeless individuals in the community, assess needs, and offer appropriate services

•    Be thoroughly familiar with Sidewalk Ordinance

•    Work cooperatively with business owners, police, and concerned citizens to serve the needs of persons who are homeless

•    Check names of homeless persons encountered against focus list and advise dispatcher to contact ICM or assigned outreach team of changes in status of individual

•    Complete all required contact and reporting forms

•    Assist with public, media and internet outreach with other staff and program volunteers to support intake into the programs and attendance at sponsored events

•    Assist with planning and supporting socialization and outreach events

•    Coordinate, schedule, and participate in daily street outreach team efforts

•    Attend all mandated training activities

•    Provide outreach programming under the Harm/Risk reduction and Trauma- informed service spectrum and ODAAT services to high-risk individuals

•    Participate in agency-sponsored programming including locating and contacting new and existing clients weekly for scheduled events during assigned work hours

•    Provide and complete client database entry, ensuring timeliness and accuracy of data entered

•    Maintain accurate paper and computer files for all outreach contacts and correspondence related to contracts

•    Participate in meetings to create outreach and promotional message for dissemination during program outreach and events

•    Ability to organize time, prioritize assignments, including the ability to work flexible hours

•    Will work in coordination with the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) Outreach Teams and colleagues

•    Adhere to all company policies related to the Driver’s Standard Operating Procedures

•    Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

•    High School Diploma or equivalent required

•    1+ years of prior outreach and community work experience in the field and/or related field preferred

•    Proficient in Microsoft Office (i.e., Outlook, Word, Excel)

•    Ability to manage time and respond to deadlines

•    Strong written and verbal communications skills

•    Able to set and observe appropriate boundaries with clients;

•    Possess well-developed decision-making skills and attention to detail with a high level of accuracy

•    Ability to excel in a diverse, collaborative team environment

•    Possess a high level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential Homeless Alliance, client, donor, and employee information and situations

•    Able to multi-task and remain calm in demanding and unpredictable situations;

•    Possess ability to understand various Homeless operations and procedures

•    Able to maintain a professional, customer service-oriented attitude at all times

•    Ability to meet face-to-face with homeless individuals of diverse backgrounds and disabilities, including physical, mental, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, etc.

•    Able to provide cultural competency, develop rapport, provide information, and refer with sensitivity

•    Ability to work and communicate with staff, clients and their families, donors, vendors, community agencies, etc. to meet their needs in a polite, courteous and cooperative manner

•    Display a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently

•    Possess excellent time management skills and the ability to work with minimum supervision

•    Ability to transport individuals as needed, and travel to various sites and locations daily

•    Able to meet a flexible work schedule including holidays, evenings and weekends. Available on-call for emergencies by telephone and/or cell phone

•    Bilingual a plus

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

•    Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license, required

•    Proof of Insurance, preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

•    Able to lift/move weight up to 40lbs.

•    Visual acuity to perform the responsibilities and functions of the job efficiently

•    Must be able to sit and/or stand for 2 or more hours per day        

•    Must be able to operate a computer/hand-held digital device for more than 2 hours per day

•    Must be able to drive or ride in a moving vehicle for at least 3 hours per day

•    Must be able to drive in all weather and road conditions

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee will work in an office and public, service-delivery environment. Hectic situations can occur in the public area of the facility characteristic to working with the homeless community and the related concerns and situations related to homeless conditions. Potential exists for volatile and unpredictable situations to occur. May experience exposure to strong odors such as soiled clothes and poor hygiene. The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

The candidate for this position may be subject to any of the following screenings as part of the pre-employment process; Motor Vehicle Report (MVR), PA Criminal Background Check (PATCH), PA Child Abuse Clearance, FBI Fingerprinting, and drug/alcohol screen.

Interested applicants should include cover letter and resume.

Telephone calls will not be accepted

UAC/ODAAT is an Equal Opportunity Employer