Homeless Outreach Technician

Position Summary

In February 2021, the La Mesa City Council unanimously adopted the 2021-2026 Homeless Action Plan. The Plan establishes programs designed to prevent homeless and housing insecurity, provide comprehensive outreach and mental health services, and address future transitional and permanent supportive housing needs in East San Diego County. The City will continue implementing and updating the Homeless Action Plan to provide additional programs and resources.

As our Homeless Outreach Technician, you will perform a wide variety of specialized, non-sworn duties in support of the Police Department’s Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement (HOME) Program to address chronic homelessness and focus on providing high intensity case management including individualized and comprehensive support throughout the transition from street to housing; initiate and engage in outreach and advocacy activities with the Clinical Homeless Outreach Specialist in known homeless communities and in response to community requests; collaborate and coordinate between several homeless service providers to facilitate linkage to an array of services and resources such as: healthcare, education, and disability benefits, mental health services, substance abuse programs, legal services, employment opportunities, and housing referral and placement; and to develop relationships within the community to identify new and existing opportunities to better assist clients during the transition to permanent housing. This position operates in support of the City’s Homeless Action Plan.

IDEAL CANDIDATE:
The ideal candidate for the Homeless Outreach Technician role will have experience in a case management-focused outreach setting. The Homeless Outreach Technician should be comfortable going to homeless encampments to conduct case management meetings and provide the proper referrals and linkages to needed resources. The candidate should also have experience developing and maintaining positive relationships with community members and referral agencies in the appropriate outreach region.

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  This position will receive a 3.5% salary increase effective the first full pay period on or after July 1, 2024.

Key Responsibilities

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Provide administrative support to ensure successful implementation, coordination of participant services, achievement of program performance measures, and evaluation of services provided.
• Perform persistent and frequent outreach throughout the City where those experiencing homelessness reside and congregate, and respond to community requests for street outreach intervention.
• Receive and respond to community calls for service related to homelessness.
• Respond to requests from City departments, merchants, community groups, and citizens to assist individuals found at-risk in places not meant for human habitation.
• Coordinate intake and conduct initial interview, including completion of the Vulnerability Index & Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT), for all clients to determine appropriate intervention and supportive services.
• Obtain client’s social and medical history, and integrate with assessment results to either collaborate with clients to develop individualized service plans (ISP) that address barriers to obtaining housing and services, or appropriately facilitate a warm handoff to a primary provider for case management services.
• Provide ongoing case management support to support ISP goals including advocacy assistance with procuring documentation and services such as identification or disability income, and transportation to appointments.
• Provide crisis intervention services for individuals experiencing homelessness in the community.
• Maintain expertise of pertinent government and community services and resources to effectively provide information, referrals, linkages, and advocacy that assist clients in obtaining permanent housing.
• Identify appropriate permanent housing options for clients based on their needs, provide assistance with housing location and application, and advocate for clients with prospective landlords.
• Develop relationships within the community, including local businesses, landlords, and other service providers, to identify new and existing opportunities and build relationships to better assist clients in accessing resources, employment services and housing.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation according to program requirements.
• Prepare, complete, and submit reports, according to program requirements and as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Behavioral Health, Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resources, Criminal Justice, or other research-intensive field.

Experience:
Three (3) years of recent experience working with the homeless population, especially performing street outreach, behavioral and mental health assessments and case management, and coordinating/collaborating with community and government organizations to provide services as appropriate for individual clients; some responsible administrative, analytical and/or budgetary experience including experience specific to area of assignment is desirable.

License or Certificate:

• Possess or be able and willing to obtain CPR/First Aid training and certification within 90 days of hire.

• Possess an appropriate, valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record.

Other Working Conditions:
4/10 (10 hours a day, 4 days a week) or traditional 5/8 (8 hours a day, 5 days a week) work schedule and work days may include weekends and holidays.

Examination Process

• SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

• Please note, all dates and/or timeframes are subject to change.

The City of La Mesa offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
For a more detailed overview of our La Mesa City Employees' Association benefit package, please visit General Employees Unit Benefit Summary