Rural Outreach Specialist

About This Role

The Outreach Specialist provides community outreach to service agencies and homeless veterans, engaging individuals on their path to housing and healing. This role involves investigating areas where potential clients may be staying, conducting assessments, and navigating social service entities to ensure every individual receives the support they deserve.

Responsibilities

• Explore and investigate areas where potential clients may be staying
• Engage clients in conversations regarding substance abuse, mental health and other issues that keep them on the street
• Respond to calls and requests from the community to assist homeless persons when possible
• Complete program assessments where veteran is currently located
• Transport clients or veterans needing services as needed
• Make persons in need of assistance aware of community resources, especially from St. Patrick Center’s SSVF program
• Complete initial assessments on veterans seeking assistance and forward assessments to case managers and the program manager
• Research various social service agencies to understand intake procedures and criterion
• Conduct regular visits to social service agencies to inform them of the SSVF program and criteria for referrals
• Refer clients to appropriate community agencies, assisting clients when needed
• Maintain appropriate documentation of all outreaches provided to agencies and clients
• Record services provided in CaseWorthy and keep all paperwork updated
• Attend local Continuum of Care meetings to inform agencies regarding the SSVF program
• Detailed knowledge of SSVF grant and SPC Policy & Procedures to assist case managers with following grant guidelines
• Complete all reports including expense reports in a timely and accurate manner
• Maintain relationship with related agencies

Requirements

• High school diploma and GED
• Previous experience and knowledge from working with the homeless
• Experience working in a social service agency
• Familiarity with the fields of mental illness and drug/alcohol abuse; symptoms, terminology, and interventions
• Familiarity with appropriate and available community resources
• Ability to recognize personal strengths and limitations regarding time, skill, and knowledge
• Ability to communicate effectively with both clients, social service agencies, and team members
• Ability to build productive relationships within the community and with prospective clients
• Ability to set limits and engage with clients
• Ability to assess persons and situations
• Ability to work in team environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Crisis intervention expertise
• Self-motivation due to the autonomous nature of the position
• Sensitivity to cultural diversity
• Moderate computer skills
• Driver license required (MO residents require a Class E)
• Valid and current auto insurance required
• Reliable vehicle required
• Ability to work a minimum of 37.5 hours per week

Qualifications

• High school diploma and GED required. BSW or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Previous experience and knowledge from working with the homeless. Experience working in a social service agency.

Nice to Have

• BSW or bachelor’s degree
• Residence within the specified region
• Veteran status

Skills

* Required skills

Benefits