Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION: Homeless Outreach Worker (Fulton County)

Reports To: Director of Residential Services and Clear Path

Position Status: Full Time (40 HRS)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Director of Residential Services & Clear Path, the Homeless Outreach Worker works with Gateway Center’s Outreach Team to build relationships with homeless neighbors, provide advocacy, and assist with connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with services and housing. The Outreach Worker must have previous experience working with individuals that are experiencing homelessness.

The Outreach Worker is responsible for identifying unsheltered homeless neighbors through direct street outreach activities. Outreach activities will initially focus in Fulton County The Outreach Worker will work a conventional work week that includes evening hours and may require weekend work. In identifying highly vulnerable neighbors experiencing homelessness, the Outreach Worker will administer assessment tools, facilitate placement into emergency and short-term residential housing, if desired by the neighbor, and connect to social services. The navigator will work collaboratively with the Fulton County Assessment Center team to assist with making short-term housing placements, enrolling in the housing queue for permanent housing placements, and to identify neighbors that may have been previously assessed by the coordinated entry team. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

 Visit communities and canvasses neighborhoods

 Work collaboratively with the program Director and Clear Path Supervisor to conduct outreach in the community, focusing on those who are most vulnerable.

 Complete a Vulnerability Index Service Prioritization and Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT) to determine permanent housing options and to be placed in the housing queue. 

 Visits with neighbors experiencing homeless and confers about obstacles preventing participation in programs and identify means of overcoming those obstacles.

 Attend monthly community outreach meetings.

 Assist neighbors experiencing homelessness with accessing resources and making referrals; continue to engage with unsheltered homeless neighbors until shelter or permanent housing is obtained.

 Maintain computerized client records, daily activity logs, mileage logs, and other reports as directed.

 May drive a van/shuttle; complete daily vehicle inspection report on van/shuttle; may clean van/shuttle; and may maintain all safety conditions in the van/shuttle.

 Develop a relationship with neighbors through frequent outreach visits to foster trust building and supports participation in programs.

 Researches community resources that benefit neighbors experiencing homelessness.

 Provide advocacy for homeless neighbors when they encounter barriers.

 Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS: 

 Bachelor’s degree in social services or related field accepted with a minimum of two (2) years of case management experience or social services experience will be considered.

 Flexibility (Position will require evenings occasionally, up to twice a week, no later than 8pm)

 Thorough knowledge of reference and research methods and techniques used in collecting, compiling and organizing data.

 Demonstrated ability to explain an agency's purpose, programs, and operations.

 Knowledge of available community resources.

 Effective communication skills 

 High School diploma or equivalent 

 Must be able to read and write English and follow oral and written instructions 

 Must pass drug and background checks

Since 2005, Gateway Center (GWC) has been committed to providing effective, strategic and innovative solutions as part of our collaborative model.
GWC is a proven leader and has positioned ourselves to be adaptable to respond to the needs of the homeless community. GWC programs are designed to address the underlying barriers that prevent individuals and families from transitioning out of homelessness, such as unemployment, behavioral health, housing affordability, and/or medical conditions. We provide a trauma informed and a client-centered environment where individuals can receive the tools they need to end their homelessness and achieve self-sufficiency. To ensure the alignment of services, Gateway Center has focused our efforts into our Five Keys to Success (1) Housing Placement and Stability, (2) Health and Wellness, (3) Family and Community Engagement, (4) Job Skills Training and Placement, and (5) Literacy.

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