Outreach Specialist

Description

Position Title: Outreach Specialist

Reports to: Program Coordinator

Category: Full-Time Exempt

Location: DC Office

Hours: Flexible schedule (Monday-Friday) between 7 am and 6 pm. Some evenings holidays and weekends may be required to support operations and to respond to emergencies.

Travel: Required please refer to Specific Requirements below

Our Core Values:

Friendship Place is a Person-First Organization that promotes transparency and ethical practices among our team and those we serve. All individuals in our organization are expected to perform their job duties in a manner consistent with our core values. This includes the following: Excellence and Innovation; Finding Ways to Say Yes; Caring at the Core; Agents of Change; Support Empowerment and Development; Building Relationships; and Integrity and Accountability.

Summary

This position conducts Outreach to Veterans and their families in DC Arlington Alexandria Loudoun Fairfax Prince William Montgomery Prince Georges and Frederick. The Outreach Specialist will conduct street outreach to locate eligible veteran households for Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) who would otherwise be difficult to locate or serve. The Outreach Specialist will screen for program eligibility and complete VI-SPDAT SPDAT and/or Prevention assessments as needed to determine prioritization within the Coordinated Entry system and enter them into HMIS. The Outreach Specialist will complete cover sheets and fill open intake slots with eligible households assigned to Friendship Place. The Outreach Specialist will build and maintain relationships and partnerships with other social service organizations and outreach workers in the service areas.

Responsibilities:

• Make contact and develop rapport with homeless and at-risk Veteran Families and make appropriate community referrals.
• Conduct street outreach
• Target the most in need Veteran Families and those who would otherwise be difficult to locate or serve
• Conduct VI-SPDAT SPDAT and/or Prevention assessments with Veteran Families in need of services and enter into HMIS.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local social services and public benefit agencies shelters and faith-based and community-based organizations serving low-income at-risk and homeless Veteran Families.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local VA facilities including Vet Centers and Veterans Benefit Administration offices
• Participate in Stand Down Winterhaven and similar events that may occur after hours.
• Participate in Local Coordinated Entry
• Market services provided by the SSVF grant
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings supervision and actively seek out professional development opportunities.
• Communicate professionally and clearly in all interactionsboth written and verbalto support seamless service delivery and collaboration.
• Maintain and document all outreach efforts in Excel.
• Maintain compliance with all assigned mandatory training and background clearances.
• Attend professional training and conferences as needed
• Support other Specialists as needed
• Perform all other duties as assigned to support the success of the program and its participants.

Background & Qualifications:

• High School Diploma/GED Required.
• Bachelors degree preferred.
• At least 1 year of experience in a similar setting preferred.
• Valid drivers license ability to operate a motor vehicle and current auto insurance are required.
• Understanding and/or experience working with Veterans.
• Experience with outreach to local organizations and government agencies and working with families preferred.
• Ability to work in a culturally diverse environment.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to work as a team player.
• Excellent time management detail-oriented organized capable of maintaining confidentiality and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience with HMIS data entry preferred.
• Must have or be able to obtain a First Aid/CPR/AED certification that includes a hands-on skills testing module. Friendship Place will provide First Aid/CPR/AED training.
• Must possess and be able to demonstrate strong intra- and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively express ideas needs and observations both verbally and in writing. This includes the ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with clients colleagues and supervisors as well as to document interactions and incidents accurately professionally and in a timely manner.
• Must be able to demonstrate active listening emotional awareness and the ability to adapt their communication style to different individuals and situations.
• Demonstrates professionalism across all levels of the organization at work and at any organization-sponsored event.
• Strong commitment to the organizations mission vision and values.
• Proficiency in Office 365 system specifically Word and Excel.

Physical and Environmental Requirements:

The role requires a balance of office-based tasks and fieldwork including time spent working with participants in the field in a car outdoors or in shelters. The remaining time will be spent in the office completing administrative paperwork meeting with the supervisor and participating in meetings and engagements with key stakeholders.

Employees must be able to sit for extended periods while performing repetitive tasks and in various positions. The employee must be able to operate a motorized vehicle. Some lifting may be required (up to 20-25 lbs.)

Specific Requirements:

Positions requiring travel must have reliable access to personal transportation to fulfill job duties. The vehicle must meet all legal requirements including valid registration and current auto insurance. Employees must provide the employer with a current valid drivers license and proof of insurance as a condition of employment.

Additionally employees are required to notify the employer and provide updated documentation within a legally appropriate timeframe if there are any changes to their drivers license status or insurance coverage.

Direct Reports: None

Indirect Reports: None

Other Details:

• Application Deadline: This job is open until filled.
• Compensation: The hiring pay range is between $58117 - $63506 annually. Depending on the position the starting hourly pay rate or annual salary is based on a step system. A candidates starting pay is determined by meeting the basic position requirements and by current completed education credentials and/or work experience. Please note: The step system is set and not open to pay negotiation.
• Benefits: We offer an excellent benefits package including low-cost health insurance health reimbursement flexible spending accounts employer-paid dental vision short and long-term disability life insurance 403B defined contribution plan matching employee assistance programs professional development employee resource groups 12 paid holidays 15 days of vacation and 10 days of sick leave during 1st year of employment and much more!
• Background Checks: The selected candidate will be required to pass a criminal history background check including but not limited to CFSA NSO previous employment and education verification personal and professional references and clearance from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Equal Opportunity Statement: We support all qualified individuals within our workforce without regard to race color religion gender sexual orientation gender identity age national origin marital status citizenship disability veteran status personal appearance familial status family responsibilities political affiliations matriculation credit and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Friendship Place is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in its employment services programs and activities. To request reasonable accommodation contact human resources at