Park Center
Homeless Outreach ESG
Park Center
Job Summary
JOB SUMMARY
Responsible for providing street outreach to individuals who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness and are at a high risk for contracting COVID-19. Outreach responsibilities include: canvasing mapped areas, engaging in basic conversation, assessing an individual’s needs, discussing available services including housing and disability assistance, providing informal one-on-one care, housing navigation, making referrals to other service providers or agencies and engaging in other activities that may promote recovery or stability for the individual; offer assessment and recovery services for persons with co-occurring disorders of mental illness and substance use disorders.
Job Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Conducts outreach to individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Davidson County to assist in obtaining housing, income, insurance, and mainstream services.
- Canvassing mapped areas of downtown on foot consistently to locate and engage people experiencing unsheltered homelessness on the streets and in encampments.
- Engaging people experiencing unsheltered homelessness to reduce the risk of harm and to enhance safety (e.g. increasing access to cold weather gear, crisis services, etc.)
- Attempting to engage people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in a manner that promotes trust, safety, and autonomy, while developing relevant goals.
- Guiding people to achieve and maintain positive change. Reinforcing healthy behaviors and supporting skill-building and the development of needed supports.
- Interviewing people experiencing homelessness to gather needed information and documentation for housing and services including the VI-SPDAT, universal data elements for HMIS and other required HMIS data elements for Coordinated Entry and ESG-CV program specific data.
- Establishes rapport with individuals who are experiencing homelessness and gathers information to serve them better. Trust building activities like meeting the client where they are—from campsites to community feedings—is emphasized.
- Is trained in housing navigation through Nashville’s Coordinated Entry System and assists all appropriate members through the housing process. Continues to provide support and refers to services once a client is housed to ensure housing retention.
- Coordinates with the Nurse Practitioner to conduct street medicine for people that are at a high risk of COVID-19.
- Linking people experiencing homelessness to mainstream services like housing navigation, healthcare, SNAP, SOAR services, etc.
- Values cultural competence and diversity
- Collaborates with staff, members, and the community to gain the perspectives of others having diverse opinions, abilities, values, beliefs, perspectives, and ethnic or cultural backgrounds.
- Takes deliberate steps to increase own cultural competency by attending trainings, events, discussions, workshops, etc.
- Other duties
- Attends local community meetings regarding homeless services and advocacy including How’s Nashville housing navigator meetings, Outreach meetings, Nashville Coalition for the Homeless meetings, Coordinated Entry System Care Coordination meetings, etc.
- Participates in other Park Center agency activities such as special events and working designated holidays, including Thanksgiving or Christmas, as scheduled.
- Participates in annual Point in Time Count which involves working overnight to take a census of the local homeless population.
- Adheres to all program policies and procedures.
- Will be cross-trained in other job duties, such as SOAR and housing navigation, to act as a support person to co-workers on the outreach team.
- Completes all other duties as assigned.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Will have a desk, workstation, cell phone, and a shared office
- Able to operate with many distractions
- Routine office environment
- Commitment to consistent communication with teammates and supervisors regarding location while in the field, in case of emergency, or to ask for assistance
- Spends considerable amount of time “in the field,” including on the streets, in homeless camps, and at other community agencies and where individuals experiencing homelessness congregate.
- Able to use vehicle to transport clients
- Unpredictable and potentially unsafe work environments when “in the field,” i.e. in homeless camps
- Supportive team environment and safety policies designed to limit risk exposure
- In the event of a public health crisis, certain precautions and personal protective equipment may be employed and required for the safety of staff and members
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Able to sit or stand for long periods of time
- Able to move or lift to ten pounds
- Able to climb inclines such as under bridges
- Able to walk on unsteady ground such as in the woods to reach encampments
DIRECT REPORTS
None
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work or related field; or equivalent experience in social services field; or deep understanding and appreciation for how social inequities impact health and housing outcomes.
- Must have at least 1-year prior experience in serving individuals experiencing mental illness, substance use and or homelessness, preferably in Nashville.
- Strong ability to work within a team with flexibility to help with coverage.
- Strong time management skills and ability to independently meet deadlines.
- Strong communication skills and ability to foster partnerships with other providers.
- Ability to work in a professional and ethical manner.
- Must have proven written and verbal communication skills and computer literacy.
- Must have a valid drivers’ license
- Must be able to show proof of personal automobile insurance.
- Must be insurable under Park Center’s automobile insurance.
Additional Information
Benefits
Park Center offers benefits to full-time employees:
Starting Day 1: generous PTO accrual policy, holidays, opportunity to start contributing to a retirement plan.
1st of the month after 60 days: access to medical, dental, vision, and ancillary plans
1 year: Park Center begins contributing 3% into a retirement plan and matches up to an additional 2% from the employee.
Apply Today!
How to Apply
Send Resume to resume@parkcenternashville.org
Go to www.parkcenternashville.org to complete an application on our Careers page.
Details
- Date Posted: April 27, 2021
- Type: Full-Time
- Job Function: Programs and Service Delivery
- Service Area: Social / Human Services
- Start Date: 05/14/2021
- Salary Range: $16-$18
- Working Hours: Mon - Fri, 8a - 4p