Posting: Street Outreach Worker - The NOAH Project
November 14, 2022
Position Title: Street Outreach Worker
Reports To: Street Outreach Manager
BACKGROUND
The NOAH Project is a program of the Central United Methodist Church of Detroit Community Development Corporation. Our vision as an organization is to be an anchor of hope leading the Detroit community in ending homelessness. The NOAH Project serves as a central hub for services, resources and relationships as we journey alongside individuals on the path to stable housing. To fulfill this mission, we:
- Welcome everyone with warm hospitality
- Practice radical acceptance that builds trusting relationships
- Remain persistent and consistent throughout the journey
- Treat all clients, volunteers, staff, and partners with respect and dignity
- Strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do
- Engage the community in our commitment to social change
The emphasis in all of NOAH’s work is on developing relationships with participants based on trust and compassion. In addition to the bag lunch, NOAH offers casework services, basic hygiene items, street outreach, access to shelter through CAM, a mailing address, basic medical services with our volunteer nurses, and connection to other resources. NOAH’s primary client population is individuals experiencing homelessness, often those who have been on streets for many years.
NOAH’s Street Outreach Team began in 2016 as way to take the services that we were offering in our permanent location out to individuals who are staying on the streets. Currently, this program has two full position will grow it to three.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Street Outreach Worker serves as a member of NOAH’s Street Outreach team to help end homelessness for unsheltered individuals in Detroit. The Street Outreach Worker will engage with unsheltered individuals in the field during outreach shifts and at NOAH’s community center; provide housing focused case management to a caseload of 20 individuals; and work closely with other street outreach, homeless services and CAM partners in the city of Detroit to connect individuals to the appropriate shelter and housing resources available to them. The NOAH Project especially encourages certified peer support specialists and people with lived experience to apply for this position.
MAJOR DUTIES
1. Participate in two evening outreach shifts per week and one morning outreach shift. This includes initial engagement, providing basic needs, safety checks, crisis intervention and de-escalation, diversion, and transportation to emergency shelter.
2. Perform internal and HMIS data entry for clients engaged during outreach and enrolled program participants. This includes: Street Outreach contacts spreadsheet completed for each outreach shift
- HMIS notes completed for enrolled clients
- uploading important documents to the client file folder and HMIS.
3. Attend and participate in Detroit city street outreach workgroup once a month.
4. Network and collaborate with other homeless outreach and homeless services partners.
5. Provide housing focused case management services to street outreach clients including accessing emergency shelter, diversion, documenting unsheltered homeless status, assisting in obtaining vital documents, and providing housing navigation. This may also include applying for and managing health care and food assistance benefits as well as other tasks aimed toward the ultimate goal of ending homelessness for the client
6. Provide basic case management services aimed at assisting clients navigating and meeting their physical and mental health needs.
7. Assisting in the operation of the community center when needed.
8. Other duties as assigned
POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Ability and interest in working with people experiencing homelessness with an attitude of acceptance and compassion.
- Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with clients, staff, volunteers, church members, and community representatives.
- Ability to work as part of a team, strong attention to detail, and good organization skills
- Ability to appropriately manage time and prioritize work when faced with multiple tasks that need to be completed.
- Ability to problem solve barriers and challenges during case management sessions
- Integrity and discretion in safeguarding confidential data.
- An ability to be patient and understanding of those living with mental illness and other disabilities.
- Ability to work in an environment that is culturally, racially, and socially diverse.
- Experience with Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience working with a wide variety of people.
- Experience working in homeless services or social services.
- Experience with homeless services coordinated entry system.
- Valid driver's license, are insurance, and clean driving record required.
- Access to a personal vehicle in the event a client needs transportation to an appointment.
- Ability to lift 30 lbs.
- Ability to engage individuals experiencing homelessness where they are at including vacant buildings, encampments, and viaducts.
- Certified Peer Support Specialists and people with lived experience are especially encouraged to apply.
PAY AND HOURS
- This is a full time position with the following hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 8:30am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday and Thursday 9am-2pm and 8pm - 11 pm (basic needs outreach shift)
- Full medical, dental, vision and life insurance plus a 3% IRA match.
- Salary is set at $45,000 as this is a grant funded position.
INTERESTED? Please email your resume and a cover letter that includes why you’re interested in this job to employment@noahprojectdetroit.org by November 29, 2022.
The NOAH Project is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, compensation, termination, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Current and formerly homeless individuals are encouraged to apply.