Outreach Specialist

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of Society of St. Vincent de Paul CARES is to alleviate pain and suffering, in a spirit of justice and charity, through person-to-person involvement.

SUMMARY: The Peer Outreach/Rapid Resolution Specialist provides direct outreach and pre-screening to Veterans who may be appropriate for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program. This includes the provision of rapid resolution, a diversion and rapid exit strategy, during and after normal business hours to determine if a Veteran seeking emergency shelter has other options where they can stay that’s safe, other than a shelter or streets/vehicle. This could be temporary or permanent. Qualified candidate must have an understanding of the issues facing people who are at risk of homelessness and options to prevent their becoming homeless. The ability to mediate and negotiate with family and friends is critical in the identification of alternatives to becoming homeless and entering a shelter or staying on the streets or other places not meant for habitation. The Peer Outreach/Rapid Resolution Specialist must also be able to engage Veterans who are hard to reach and or not interested in participating in services to end their homelessness. The position must have knowledge of the service delivery system and the resources available for Veterans and their families to assist persons obtain necessary documentation to determine eligibility and to maximize the resources for which they are eligible. The Peer Outreach/Rapid Resolution Specialist participate as a member of the strengths-based Case Management team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties as required. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at this time)

Rapid Resolution

Provide crisis intervention to address the immediate needs of the very low-income, chronic, and non-chronic homeless veteran population

Be available on-call during hours scheduled after normal business hours to include no less than 8 hours on Sunday and Saturday, and no less than 3 hours Monday through Friday, unless relieved by another employee.

Must be able to return to work when on-call if necessary. Work hours in this case start from the time you leave your home until you return with a 2-hour minimum. Flexing the extra hours is at the employees’ discretion with the approval of the supervisor.

First and immediately before or after the Veteran accesses shelter or emergency services, work with the Veteran to identify an immediate safe place to stay

Assess the individual's family, friends and support network to assist in identifying a housing solution to prevent the Veteran and family from becoming homeless immediately and that can provide housing for at least ninety days

Provide mediation, conflict resolution as needed

Process Temporary Financial Assistance in accordance with required limitations

Determine eligibility for Rapid Resolution Program and SSVF

Outreach/Peer Support Identify locations frequented by potential veteran applicants (including family members)

Provide direct outreach to veterans and their families in their naturally occurring environments (i.e. home visits and community visits)

Engage and build rapport with target population

Coordinate initial screening and assessment with Case Management team

Participate in Stand Downs and other VA/community outreach activities

Attend agency, community, and supervisory meetings

Provide peer support and mentoring to SSVF participants in securing permanent housing

Provide peer support, mentoring, and coaching to SSVF participants in navigating and accessing veteran and mainstream resources

Utilize HMIS for data collection/case record

Accompany veterans to appointments, when appropriate

Monitor and document participation, progress, referrals, and services provided to participant

Assist Case Management team in preparing exit plans and follow-up contact with SSVF program participants

Maintain working relationships with community agencies to facilitate access to community services for participants

Maintain working relationships with organizations specifically targeting Veterans needs

Attend in-service trainings and outside conferences/workshops, as requested by the Program Manager

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Complies with all applicable training requirements

Complies with all company safety, personnel, and operational policies and procedures

Complies with work schedule to ensure effective operations of Agency programs

Contributes positively as a member of a productive and cooperative team

Performs other duties as necessary to fulfill the Society of St. Vincent de Paul CARES Mission

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.)

Demonstrate strong knowledge of the resources in the community available for the veteran population, especially services and programs offered by the VA

Possess strong knowledge of homelessness, severe and persistent mental illness, and substance abuse

Must demonstrate an ability to be non-judgmental and accept the principles of housing first and rapid rehousing

Be able to speak, write and understand English

Possess strong computer skills

Must be sensitive to and respect cultural diversity amongst clients, staff, and volunteers and be able to work with diverse racial, ethnic, and economic groups

Have ability to work flexible schedule including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays

Be able to organize, prioritize, multi-task, problem solve under pressure, and deliver results

Have excellent oral and written communication skills and listening skills

Provide positive customer service to difficult populations

Possess strong work ethics

Successfully pass Law Enforcement background screening

Possess valid Florida driver’s license if driving an agency vehicle or a personal vehicle for company business

Must have reliable transportation

Participate in Agency Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) program and Accreditation/ Reaccreditation process

Have mission-driven attitude supplemented with integrity and passion

Adhere to the highest ethical standards, personally, and professionally

Possess high level of openness and willingness to receive feedback/suggestions from superiors and others, and to learn new skills to improve job performance

Demonstrate evidence of deep alignment with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul CARES Mission and Values

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: (Depending on position and if prior to hire is approved by Chief Executive Officer, a comparable amount of training, education, or experience may be substituted for the minimum education qualifications)

This position is specific to an individual with prior military experience. Experience or education with human services, homelessness, and veteran resources is a plus

This position requires a minimum a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field

Must have minimum two years’ experience serving homeless or at-risk families and/or individuals in crisis

Must have experience in mediation and negotiation, and/or restorative approaches*

Must be able to comply with complex governmental regulations, policies, and procedures and demonstrate thorough document compliance efforts and activities

Must be proficient with data management and information systems and have strong knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook. Knowledge of Access and PowerPoint a plus.

Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and possess the ability to interact effectively with other agencies and service providers

Must have the ability to adapt to culturally diverse environments and display an attitude of compassion and acceptance of client populations

Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and understand the issues that are faced by low-income populations

Problem solving and conflict resolution skills required

GENERAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made, if appropriate, to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of job. Working in an office/site requires prolonged sitting at the computer workstation; standing, bending, reaching, lifting up to 20 lbs. Requires some driving and walking outdoors and wooded areas. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, fax machines, calculators, telephones, and other office equipment. It is also required to regularly sit, speak, and listen, the employee is also required to walk, use hands and fingers to type, operate equipment, and maintain records and notes. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

MENTAL DEMANDS: Must handle new and diverse work problems on a daily basis. Personal maturity is an important attribute. Must be able to resolve problems, handle conflict, and make effective decisions under pressure. Must have the ability to listen objectively to people, perceive the real problem, and assist in bringing issues to a successful conclusion. Must relate and interact with volunteers, clients, contractors, visitors, and employees at all levels within the Agency.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Environment will occasionally become noisy due to equipment operations and interactions among clients and staff. There may be the possibility of being exposed to communicable disease, possible exposure to verbal abuse, or similar behavior from residents/clients. On an as needed basis, employees may be called upon to work outside of the established work schedule or work odd hours. All information associated with the Agency is confidential.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul CARES is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About St. Vincent de Paul CARES:

SVdP CARES is a non-profit organization committed to ending homelessness: making it rare, brief, and one-time. With “Housing First” principles at the core, all SVdP CARES programs are built on the belief that everyone has the right to live in dignified and affordable housing with a healthy disregard for all community-perceived barriers to housing including employment history, criminal/credit background, mental health, addiction, or religious practices. SVdP CARES works to rapidly house those experiencing homelessness within 30 days and concurrently connect them to resources and stabilization support services to assist their needs. SVdP CARES serves 19 counties across 7,678+ square miles of Florida including Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Desoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, and Sumter counties. Everyone is welcome through our doors, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Full-Time