Job Title:             Street Outreach

Program:             CES Outreach

Reports To:         Regional Outreach Coordinator

Valley Oasis Coordinated Entry System provides comprehensive services designed to address the root cause of poverty and homelessness within SPA 1 of Los Angeles County. Clients are homeless; may have mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance abuse issues, chronic medical/physical disabilities, and exiting institutions.

The Street Outreach staff will work under the direction of the Regional Outreach Coordinator to identify and engage homeless individuals where they are build rapport and connect them to services. This position will be primarily in the field providing services in different locations within the SPA.  The focus will be to reach adults experiencing chronic homelessness and higher acuities based on their initial screenings and need.

Essential Job Functions:

• Engaging homeless individuals via street outreach activities; coordinating referrals and program linkage to other regional programs serving homeless individuals; maintaining thorough and accurate records in both written form and through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS); and collaborate with other homeless outreach entities in the SPA who are part of the Coordinated Entry System (CES)
• Build rapport through progressive engagement with individuals to gain trust.
• Conducts standardized screening and triage individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Motivate homeless individuals to engage in outreach services and resources that promote well-being.
• Provide resources and link individuals to mental health, health, housing services and other supportive services such as job development, substance abuse, etc.
• Work collaboratively with other outreach entities in the community (LAHSA ERT, LAFH, MHA, LAFD, Law Enforcement, Veteran Services)
• Collaborate with program Problem Solvers, SPA Outreach partner teams, Housing Navigation teams, crisis and bridge housing providers, and rapid re-housing providers to ensure seamless and integrated care for homeless adults in SPA 1.
• Screen and immediately address safety concerns for individuals experiencing domestic violence, and immediately connect to a domestic violence shelter provider.
• Utilize motivational interviewing interventions to increase positive outcomes
• Coordinate transportation assistance for the purpose of providing supportive services
• Drive agency vehicle to transport individuals
• Be open and flexible to assisting other departments as needed
• Engage effectively and constructively with the program manager to make program refinements in the best interests of the program
• Participate in staff meetings, individual and group supervision, case conferences and training as required
• Adhere to agency policies and procedures including confidentiality, child abuse reporting, and code of ethics
• Additional tasks, projects and or responsibilities as assigned by Supervisor that are not outlined but which are an important part of the agency’s goals and/or program outcomes.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of resources to assist homeless individuals throughout Los Angeles County.
• Knowledge of issues facing homeless individuals (e.g. chronic health, substance abuse, mental health, domestic abuse and resources for undocumented individuals)
• Ability to accurately enter client data and notes in HMIS (Homeless Management Information System).
• Knowledge of HUD guidelines and experience working with subsidized housing programs such as Section 8, Shelter Plus Care, Rapid Re-Housing and others.
• Current knowledge of best practice models, including Housing First, Mental Health Recovery, Harm Reduction, and Critical Time Intervention.
• Positive attitude, good judgment and the ability to comfortably interact with diverse populations, be energetic and independent and have a strong desire to learn.
• Work effectively under conditions of limited supervision, high stress and rapidly changing situations and circumstances
• Ability to handle common problems without supervisor intervention while knowing when supervisor participation is warranted
• Ability to take appropriate steps to deal with emergency situations with the goal of maintaining safety
• Promote cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and objective; collaborate with team members, sharing ideas and differences openly; be receptive to new ideas and adapt to change as necessary
• Strict confidentiality must be observed as it relates to participant information, agency business, program decisions and all other personal information
• Consider the impact of personal and professional choices. Consistently make decisions in keeping with organizational values and Supervisor’s direction
• Strict confidentiality must be observed as it relates to participant information, agency business, program decisions and all other personal information
• Proficient with office communication equipment and machines (telephone, copier, calculator, fax machine, personal computer, laptop, computer printer and scanner).
• Proficient in use of laptop/desktop computer, Microsoft Windows and Office software programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Google drive
• Use of a personal vehicle may be required to travel in and around Antelope Valley and/or Los Angeles County and periodically transport clients.
• Maintain professional boundaries and work collaboratively with participants, volunteers and staff.
• Accountability – be on time for scheduled shifts
• Be able to read and write English
• Bilingual Preferred but not required

Qualifications & Experience:

• High School Graduate or equivalent;
• Two years of experience in homeless outreach or social services outreach 
• Experience with homeless, vulnerable and/or diverse population
• Experience with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

Additional Agency Requirements:

• Must have a valid California Driver’s License
• Reliable Transportation
• Auto insurance
• Clean Driving Record
• Employee will be required to complete a TB Testing, background check, Drug Screen (Employment pending drug screen and background check), Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault training and CPR &First Aid certification.

Work Conditions & Physical Demands
The following are work conditions that one may encounter in the course of performing their job duties:

• May be in contact with individuals in crisis
• May experience unpleasant sensory demands associated with an individual’s use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal care
• May experience crisis situations and potentially hostile situations, must be ready to respond quickly and effectively.

An employee is required to:
Walk and climb stairs; Handle, grasp and feel objects and equipment; Reach with hands and arms; extend both arms above the head and/or reach below the waist; Communicate ideas and information verbally and written word; Be able to move oneself quickly and easily from place to place; Repeat various motions with hands, wrists, fingers; Climb on stools, steps and/or ladders; Be subject to outside environmental conditions, including but not limited to: Rain, heat, wind.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. If accommodation(s) are required, employee must inform Human Resources by the first week of employment. If an accommodation is not required at the time of employment, but is later required, you must inform Human Resources at the time it is needed.

Benefits:

Health	Employee Assistance Plan	Paid Sick
Dental	AFLAC	Paid Vacation
Vision	Cafeteria 125 Plan	Personal Days
Acupuncture/Chiropractic	Retirement Plan	Remote Work *
Life Insurance	14 Observed Holidays

* Remote Work: Valley Oasis considers Remote Work to be a viable, flexible work option when both the employee and the position are suited to such an arrangement and must meet eligibility requirements.

Schedule:
Monday – Friday 40 hours (hours may vary and may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends, holidays and/or on call status)

An Equal Opportunity Employer: Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of age, race, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability.
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