Encampment Response Outreach Case Manager

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Outreach Program Manager, the Encampment Response Outreach Case Manager (ERCM) will be responsible for connecting and engaging with youth to focus on relationship building, crisis management, and creative problem solving. The Encampment Response Outreach Case Manager acts as a liaison to connect youth with Urban Peak services and to promote their health, safety, and well-being.

Large encampments in Denver are becoming more commonplace and present a set of unique challenges. This position, in collaboration with fellow Encampment Response Outreach Workers from partner agencies, that include case managers, outreach workers, a peer support specialist and street nurses, will serve as the service providers dedicated to engaging marginalized individuals in these complex environments. Services provided will include but are not limited to crises intervention; supplying of basic needs (socks, food, cold weather gear, etc.); facilitation of increased access to the Urban Peak shelter, safe outdoor spaces, medical respite, medical and behavioral health care and COVID-related health care and shelter; transportation; client advocacy; and general service linkage. This position will also build relationships and collaborate with Denver Police, Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, Parks and Recreation, and other city entities as needed to best engage and serve those living in large encampments.

The Urban Peak ERCM will specialize in connecting with youth under the age of 25 and will work to connect with the youth as Case Managers for longer term case management and support. The Encampment Response team works as an extension of the Denver Street Outreach Collaborative (DSOC). This position will ensure that interactions and interventions are trauma informed and emphasize the physical and emotional safety of youth and staff.

Who You Are:

• High school diploma or equivalent with a minimum of five (5) years full-time of experience working high-risk youth, OR a bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field AND a minimum of three (3) years of experience working with youth, OR A master’s degree in social work, psychology or a related field AND minimum of two (2) years of experience working with youth
• Previous street outreach experience preferred.
• Lived experience reflective of the youth we serve encouraged but not required.
• Experience in providing trauma informed care or willingness to adapt to this approach is required.
• Experience, competence, sensitivity, and ability to connect well and work effectively with the homeless youth community, especially youth who identify as LGBTQ, or are often difficult to engage, mentally ill, addicted to substances or otherwise impaired.
• Skill in oral and written communications
• Skill in negotiating and mediating, particularly in sensitive situations as well as some skill in crisis intervention and de-escalation
• Able to communicate effectively with a diverse population.
• Able to make independent judgement and sound decisions using available information while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
• Able to function as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and work with collaborating agencies.
• Able to manage tasks and activities in an environment that’s sometimes includes conflict and chaos.
• Must be team-oriented and able to coordinate with various departments and staff.
• Must be computer proficient and possess experience of Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)
• Ability to obtain QMAP certified or eligible for QMAP certification.
• Ability to be insurable as a driver on Urban Peak’s auto liability policy in order to conduct business on behalf of the agency and/or transport youth using an Urban Peak vehicle and an approved personal vehicle.
• Ability to pass both federal and state background checks and a pre-employment TB screening.
• Attendance and punctuality are basic job requirements in this job description.

What You Will Do:

• Collaborates with homeless service providers in the community and Urban Peak programs to provide optimum coordination, communication and continuity of services
• Assists youth into transitional housing, permanent housing and/or family reunification and provide referrals for supportive services to help maintain stability
• Accepts referrals from other agencies and works collaboratively with staff of all agencies to provide contact and to support additional goals
• Implements individual assessments and develops case plans with participating youth to identify needs and provide appropriate resources and services
• Works closely with the SPOT, Urban Peak shelter, and Outreach Team to coordinate care for youth in large encampments and non-congregate shelters. Spends time in the Urban Peak Drop-In Center and on outreach with other Urban Peak Outreach Case Managers.
• Works to hold strong professional boundaries with all clients, keeping interactions with clients limited to scheduled work hours.
• Attends weekly team meetings on Wednesday afternoons.
• Advocates for the needs of individual clients whenever needed and appropriate.
• Treats each person contacted with dignity and respect regardless of negative or positive client behavior.
• Documents all services provided to clients and records entries into the Salesforce/HMIS database in a timely manner.
• Attempts to obtain all needed data elements for Salesforce/HMIS records upon the first encounter whenever possible, or gathers such information as quickly as possible for entry of a complete HMIS client record.
• Occasionally meets with persons interested in the issue of homelessness for educational, funding, and advocacy purposes.
• Works as a member of the Denver Street Outreach Collaborative (DSOC) to provide face-to-face outreach services to individuals who are homeless in public places, under bridges, in abandoned buildings, shelters, and other outdoor areas in an attempt to engage them in a non-threatening way, assist them in recognizing and defining their own service needs, inform them of available services, and help them access those services.
• Transports individuals who are homeless using a personal or organizational vehicle.
• Focuses specifically on a limited number of large encampments and non-congregate shelters prioritized by City and DSOC partners. In the least intrusive manner possible, collects aggregate de-identified data on the population and service needs of identified camps. Documents and reports back to supervisors in a timely fashion to inform them of client dispositions, camp trends, and additional services needed.
• Identifies persons who are eligible for existing Urban Peak programs and programs operated by other Homeless Service Providers and assists clients with connecting to the appropriate intake staff in those programs.
• Participates in the Point in Time Survey.
• Responds to requests from City officials and other concerned citizens as it relates to homeless persons, the Sit and Lie Ordinance, and the Urban Camping Ban in a timely fashion as well as reporting back to supervisors and/or referral sources within 2 days of the contact.
• Is available by cell phone during all assigned shifts. Returns all e-mails and voicemails.
• Attends professional training as required.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

What We Offer:

• Salary Range: $24.02 to $24.42
• Shift: Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm
• 100% Employer paid Medical and Dental plans - Buy-up plans available
  1. Tele-health & Dispatch Health included
• FSA & Dependent Care
• Vision | Accident Coverage | Critical Care & Hospital Extended Stay Plans
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with company match
• Robust Employee Assistance Program
• RTD Eco Pass
• 10 Paid Holidays & Paid Sick Time
• 120 hours of vacation to start
• Second Language pay differential
• Staff support for lateral growth through training and mentorship

Who We Are:

Founded in 1988, Urban Peak is the only non-profit organization in Denver that provides a full convergence of services for youth ages 15 through 24 experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Our goal is to meet youth where they are and to provide them with the assistance and support, they need to become self-sufficient or obtain the necessary services they need to exit a life on the streets.

Urban Peak provides numerous programs and services that are founded on the principles of trauma-informed care and Positive Youth Development to assist youth in reaching their potential and living a successful life off the streets. Services include street outreach, a 40-bed shelter for youth ages 15 through 20, a daytime drop-in center, supportive housing, education and employment services, case management, life skills courses, behavioral health evaluations, meals and more. The youth served at the shelter come from a variety of backgrounds, and we strive to be a safe community for all youth, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, class, educational background, sexual orientation, gender identity, or ability status.

The Denver Urban Peak embraces diversity and considers all qualified candidates that have an interest in the non-profit sector. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, HIV/AIDS status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We encourage all candidates to apply.