Street Outreach Worker

Full Job Description

Street Outreach Worker is an entry level professional within the Housing and Revitalization Department’s (HRD) Homelessness Solutions Division that receives close direction from higher level Program Analysts and supervision from a Supervisor.

The Homelessness Solutions Division is structured to meet the needs of those at risk or experiencing homelessness, focusing on those who are unsheltered.

A Street Outreach Worker is responsible for responding to outreach requests from a variety of City Departments but mainly coordinating with internal HRD staff, the Detroit Police Department, the General Services Department, and the Mayor’s Office.

In addition to internal departmental referrals, outreach workers will also respond to community requests for services. Once engaged, the staff will attempt diversion to a safe place.

If not successful, staff will be responsible for connecting households to CAM, emergency shelter, and other community resources.

All interactions must be documented in the Homelessness Information Management System (HMIS) and other databases, as directed.

The Program Analyst I – Detroit Housing Services - Code Blue Emergency Outreach Worker is an entry-level professional located within the Housing and Revitalization Department’s (HRD) Detroit Housing Services Office that receives significant direction and guidance from Program Analyst II, III and IV.

The Detroit Housing Services Office (DHS) looks to address city-wide housing insecurity with preventative, responsive and broadly available measures.

The Housing Services Office is structured to meet a broad range of housing needs faced by residents, through an internal continuum of services and as a participant’s housing needs change, so does the type of services available to them within the program.

The Program Analyst I - Code Blue Emergency Outreach Worker will maintain contact with a revolving case load, and/or perform outreach to a set of addresses, stakeholders or housing sites, with indicated goals determined by the interaction type.

Additionally, responsibilities include utilizing electronic systems to closely maintain a record of contact, resources and outreach outcomes.

Requirements

• Manage a daily outreach schedule to locate and perform intake with households experiencing unsheltered homelessness
• Interface with other city staff, including Detroit Police Officers
• Use a daily call list to outreach and complete case management tasks
• Perform on-site intake and needs assessment interviews
• Create client profiles and document case notes
• Attend resource trainings in order to be knowledgeable about community resources and about the applications needed to access them
• Prepare resource applications for community services on behalf of residents and tracking application submission
• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with community resource organizations
• Gain trust and respect of clients and potential clients based on shared experience, mutual support, and perspectives.
• Provides street outreach in tandem with other Outreach Staff and Outreach Teams
• Engage clients who are defined as unsheltered in a respectful manner
• Mentor the client on navigating human service systems.
• Directly engages community partners, service providers, and landlords/property managers.
• Assist clients with obtaining necessary documentation required for housing placement.
• Assist the clients through the Housing Choice Voucher process when scoring for Rapid Rehousing, including facilitating housing placement, and attending lease signings.
• Assist clients through the Permanent Supportive Housing process when scoring for PSH, including obtaining documentation, attending appointments and lease signings.
• Assist clients in understanding and abiding by their lease obligations.
• Assist clients in obtaining furniture and other necessary household items.
• Complete additional tasks as needed
• Performs special projects and other duties as assigned
• Advocate with stakeholders around permanent housing resources.
• Maintain regular and documented contact with residents and stakeholders around housing related needs.
• Develop and maintain working knowledge of relevant social services systems and agencies to ensure client access to appropriate services.
• Attend and participate in required team meetings and trainings including but not limited to HIPAA and trauma-informed care.
• Interpret and explain information such as eligibility requirements, program processes and resource details to internal and external stakeholders
• Keep records of assigned cases and prepare required reports.
• Check and compare documents, forms, applications, or other materials for accuracy, completeness, grammar, and format.
• Use computers for various applications, such as database management or word processing.
• Set up, manage, and develop systems for paper or electronic filing systems, record information, update paperwork, or maintain documents, such as attendance records, correspondence or other material.
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.
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KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Prior experience coordinating efforts to assist individuals with housing related needs and concerns
• Ability to work with people in crisis and conflict, including those facing homelessness, financial challenges, mental illness and/or chemical dependency
• Ability to organize, prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines in a time-sensitive environment
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally verbally and in writing
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and productively with others (including supervisors, colleagues, volunteers, clients and vendors)
• Regular and reliable attendance
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of clients as well as client information and records
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under stressful conditions
• Understand and maintain professional ethics and boundaries

Skill in:

• HMIS data entry
• Tracking data and maintaining individual case management metrics
• Use of Smartsheet
• Use of Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and / or other office suite software packages)
• Use of Excel functionality
• Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents
• Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• Using trauma informed s
• Establishing and maintaining good working relationship with other City employees and the public

Ability to

• Collect, quickly interpret, and analyze information from a variety of sources, apply criteria, draw conclusions and develop recommendations, guidelines, and policies
• Collect, quickly interpret, and analyze information from a variety of sources, apply criteria, draw conclusions and develop case management plans
• Read, interpret, and effectively analyze individual situation reports
• Choose the right intermediary methods or tactics to solve a problem
• Use contemporary grants management software and other related software for program and financial management
• Read, interpret, and effectively analyze professional and technical reports
• Choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem
• Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing
• Add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly
• Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense
• Work tactfully and effectively with employees, supervisors and managers, grantors, sub-recipients, and with elected and appointed officials and senior staff in assigned Departments and Agencies
• Take initiative to acquire additional knowledge and education to remain current in field
• Work as part of a team

Drive a City owned vehicle; have a Michigan Driver’s License in good standing