POSITION: Outreach Specialist

DIVISION: Programs – Engagement

LOCATION: North Hollywood, CA

HIRING RATE: $24.91/hour

SUMMARY OF THE ORGANIZATION

LA Family Housing (LAFH) is a leading homeless service provider and affordable housing developer in Los Angeles. We believe that housing is a human right, and we are invested in driving forward the innovative solutions we know are effective in ending homelessness. With nearly 40 years of experience, we know what works - an individualized approach that combines a continuum of housing options enriched with supportive services. In 2021, we connected nearly 12,000 people with housing resources and supportive services. We also own or co-own 30 interim, affordable, and supportive housing properties and have over 750 additional units of permanent supportive housing in our pipeline.

Our community-based approach allows us to influence how homelessness is addressed in Los Angeles and nationwide. We take tremendous pride in positioning our staff as national leaders in innovation, best practices, and policy within housing production and homeless services. From presenting at national conferences to facilitating service collaboration among providers in other regions, we equip our industry to effectively respond to homelessness and ultimately move more people home. Join this incredible team of changemakers and start making a difference in people’s lives today at LA Family Housing!

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Outreach Specialist will work within a Street-based Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to engage, assess, and develop permanent housing plans with individuals experiencing homelessness, utilizing best practices to provide intensive case management services and crisis intervention. This position will collaborate with various community-based organizations to ensure appropriate service connections are obtained and provide follow-up referral/service tracking to individuals experiencing homeless living on the streets.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Provides mobile, field-based, outreach to people experiencing homelessness living on the streets and in encampments
• Works within the goals of CES to reduce street homelessness by linking program participants to mental health, health services housing services, and other supportive services for which they are eligible
• Motivates individuals experiencing homelessness to engage in outreach services and associated community referrals that promote well-being by building rapport and providing emotional support to participants
• Works closely with mobile medical team to ensure homeless single adults on the streets are triaged to needed medical care and health care assessment
• Works collaboratively with other outreach entities in the community (LAHSA’s ERT, LAPD, DMH, VA)
• Provides crisis prevention, crisis intervention and de-escalation services as needed
• Provides ongoing street-based housing focused case management services utilizing a Harm Reduction and Housing First approach
• Provides follow-up services to ensure that referrals are completed; provide advocacy as needed
• Maintains thorough and accurate records in both written form and through assigned electronic database
• Attends various, regular staff, agency and community meetings as designated by supervisor
• Drives personal vehicle in and around Los Angeles County and drives agency vehicles periodically to transport clients
• Additional tasks, projects, and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor

ACCOUNTABILITY AND REVIEW

Position Reports To: Outreach Manager

Performance Review: Annual

DIRECT REPORTS

Number of employees receiving work direction: Zero (0)

Position titles reporting to position: Zero (0)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Demonstrated knowledge of issues facing program participants (e.g. health, substance abuse, mental health, domestic abuse, trauma, immigration, legal)
• Ability to demonstrate empathy and a non-judgmental attitude when engaging with persons experiencing homelessness
• Possess a high level of tolerance and understanding for individuals who present for services with mental health and physical health needs
• Ability to be flexible and work in an environment subject to ongoing change
• Availability to work after hours for crisis calls and/or disaster response
• Knowledge of community social service agencies and resources
• Conflict resolution skills
• Effective time management skills
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Must be able to perform extensive charting, electronic data entry, and documentation
• Bilingual: Spanish/English preferred
• Strong experience working within team environments and ability to collaborate
• Maintain and execute confidential information according to HIPAA standards
• Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid Certification
• Ability to pass post-offer Tuberculosis (TB) clearances
• Travel is a regular duty for this position and is required 30% of the time
• Use of a personal vehicle to travel between worksites and other locations is required
• Must have and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and auto insurance in good standing
• Ability to work a 9/80 work schedule

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• One (1) year of experience working with people experiencing homelessness or have a minimum of two (2) years of experience providing direct health, behavioral health, substance use counseling or ICMS-SBE,

WHAT WE OFFER:

Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 403B Retirement Plan, 529 Education Savings Plan, Long Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Legal Access Plan, Employee Appreciation Program, Company Sponsored Employee Events, Staff Development, 9/80 Alternative Work Schedule, Paid Sick, Vacation and 13 Observed Holidays, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Eligibility and more!

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, EQUIPMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Potential physical demands include but are not limited to: walking, climbing stairs, handling, finger/grasp/feel objects and equipment, reaching, communicating, being mobile, repetitive motions, visual activity, driving, and entering buildings. Comfortable working in a pet-friendly environment required. If an accommodation is needed, please inform the Human Resources Department.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

LAFH is committed and proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.

FAIR CHANCE ACT

LA Family Housing will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if LA Family Housing is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s Fair Chance Act webpage.

Qualifications

Experience

Required 1 year

One (1) year of experience working with people experiencing homelessness or have a minimum of two (2) years of experience providing direct health, behavioral health, substance use counseling or ICMS-SBE, unless otherwise approved by the County