Homeless Outreach Specialist

WHAT YOU WILL DO: This position provides field-based outreach, short term crisis intervention, and case management to individuals experiencing homelessness with Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and Serious Mental Illness (SMI). The Homeless Outreach Specialist will provide outreach and short-term case management to the North County region to connect individuals experiencing homelessness to housing, health, and other supportive services. The position will attend and support case conferencing and ensure that clients with ongoing treatment needs are successfully connected with appropriate community-based treatment programs. The position will interact closely with the interdepartmental treatment team of behavioral health clinicians, clients, homeless outreach works, community partners, program leadership and staff.

• Conducts outreach and engagement with individuals experiencing homelessness
• Identifies, engages and links underserved populations with SUD and behavioral health services
• Provides direct services to homeless clients and families, which include: intake, assessment, referrals and case management as well as client advocacy with the goal of supporting self-sufficiency
• Outreach teams will employ a regionalized, neighborhood-based model to build collaborative relationships with unhoused individuals as well as community stakeholders
• Provides direct services to clients including short term counseling, crisis intervention, and linkage with longer term services
• Participates in outreach events for the purpose of engagement and client linkage
• Participates, when appropriate, in case conferences for clients receiving counseling services
• Develops and maintains effective relationships with mental health providers to ensure that clients with ongoing treatment needs are successfully transferred to longer term services
• Maintains accurate records and files and prepares reports as required by funders and agency administration
• Enters data into the regional Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) client database, the Coordinated Entry System (CES) and/or other electronic data systems as required by funders and Interfaith
• Monitors compliance with grant and contract requirements. Makes recommendations to supervisor regarding any program changes needed to meet grant benchmarks
• Ensures the confidentiality of client information and health records
• Meets regularly with supervisor and participate in agency meetings and staff trainings
• Provides trauma informed and culturally competent client services
• Performs additional duties as assigned

EXPERIENCE / EDUCATION

• Master's Degree required
• 1+ years of experience working in a Social Services, Nonprofit or related setting required
• 1+ years of providing case management services preferred
• Experience working with severely mentally ill, medically fragile, and homeless populations required
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

• Paid Time Off - Three weeks to start!
• Paid Holidays - 13 scheduled
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• AD&D / Group Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Medical and Dependent Care
• Matched 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Early Release Days!
• Work Anniversary Bonuses
• Tuition Reimbursement and Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
• Home Ownership Assistance Program
• Casual Work Environment
• Professional Growth and Career Development Opportunities

Interfaith is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, pregnancy, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, nationality, sex, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Interfaith will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.