Outreach Specialist

The Role: Opportunity to join a brand new team supporting Vermonters experiencing homelessness to find permanent housing and access community resources. Vermont has seen an unprecedented increase in the number of people who are unhoused throughout the state. Pathways’ Outreach team will assist individuals and households who struggle with mental health challenges and/or mental health and substance use challenges to access housing as quickly as possible. Pathways is especially interested in hiring someone who has their own experience with homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use, incarceration, poverty or other serious challenges.

Available Positions: 1

Location: Serving Chittenden County - based in Vermont (some flexibility regarding location)

Schedule: Full-Time (35-40 Hours Weekly)

Engage in assertive outreach, service coordination, advocacy, and other supports for program participants

Building rapport and relationships with individuals, meeting people where they are including motels, shelters, and camping areas

Participate in outreach and engagement with individuals experiencing homelessness who have serious mental health

Facilitate telehealth or in-person meetings between team mental health counselor and potential program participants to complete mental health and substance use screening

Ensure all households are captured in the Coordinated Entry system and data is accurate in the local Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS)

Make referrals to appropriate community resources and support enrollment

Collect information about service recipients’ housing needs and preferences and assist in completion of applications for housing subsidies and rental units

Document service provision in electronic health record including screening data, progress notes, incident reports, document collection, institutionalization record, etc.

Maintain written and computerized records, compile reports and complete other documentation requirements

Practice Intentional Peer Support, and other best practices for supporting persons experiencing homelessness

Facilitate client driven referrals and participation in other peer services, wellness activities, community events, programs, etc.

Communicate with potential program participants especially to persons who are literally homeless or experiencing a mental health crisis

Facilitate additional eligibility assessments and meetings as needed for referred service recipients

Collect information about service recipients’ housing needs and preferences

Ensure that the service recipient is connected with team members after intake is completed

Accurately and timely record service recipient, intake, and outreach data in appropriate database

Monitor statewide subsidy programs and manage program participant list

Other duties as assigned

Attendance at the annual All Staff and Programmatic Retreats is an expectation of employment with Pathways Vermont, unless excused by the employee’s manager/HR. Retreats are held on workdays, during normal working hours, and are fully paid.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree or comparable work experience (preferably with persons who have experienced homelessness or have a psychiatric disability) and at least 3-5 years relevant experience

Strong skills in database entry and computer programs (including Google Apps, Internet browsers, electronic medical records, etc.)

Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment as well as possess strong problem- solving skills, work ethic, and computer proficiency

Must be able to work flexible hours, occasional long days

Valid driver’s license, insurance, and reliable vehicle required

Ability to travel statewide

Excellent verbal and written communication

Commitment to Pathways mission

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

Ability to ascend and descend stairs regularly to attend community meetings and meet with prospective service recipients

Frequent use of personal vehicle and driving throughout the state for meetings

Regular operation of a computer and other office machinery including typing

Frequent talking and listening in the participation of exchanging ideas through spoken word and occasional receipt and giving of detailed information through oral communication

Moderate reading responsibilities

Occasionally lifting and carrying 30 pounds

Occasional exposure to outside environmental conditions for outreach events and meeting with service recipients

Occasional exposure to high levels of noise and persons who are upset, angry or in an extreme state

Occasional reaching, pushing, pulling and lifting of arms to participate in cleaning an organization

Compensation:

100% Full-Time Equivalent, hourly employee

35-40 hour work week

$23-$25/hour

$2000 Hiring Bonus Available

Full-Time Benefits:

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Long Term Disability/Life Insurance

Paid Time Off (accrual of 210 hours per year to start)

9 Paid Holidays Annually

403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Longevity Recognition Rewards

Access to a wide variety of Pathways facilitated trainings including Intentional Peer Support