New Beginnings is seeking three highly motivated, self-starters to join our Outreach Team to provide services to individuals experiencing homelessness in Santa Barbara County. Responsibilities include providing outreach and case management to unsheltered homeless individuals-with a focus on our Safe Parking and Supportive Services to Veterans clients. Utilizing New Beginning’s integrated approach for Street Based Outreach, the Outreach Specialists provide outreach/engagement and case management services to quickly assess client needs, provide immediate interventions, and consistently connect clients to appropriate services. Outreach Specialists perform screening assessments, make appropriate referrals, connect clients to social services, and manage substantial documentation requirements. The successful candidates will have the ability to represent New Beginnings in a diplomatic and professional manner with partners, funders, law enforcement and other agencies and government city/county entities. The Outreach Specialist will participate in a cross agency multidisciplinary approach to engage the hardest to serve homeless in an effort to connect them to services.
The selected candidates may need to travel between different sites within Santa Barbara County, but in general two will be co-located out of our Lompoc office and two will be co-located out of our Santa Barbara office.
Responsibilities:
The Outreach Specialists will be in the field 70% of the time:
Understanding of the issues faced by homeless individuals and other marginalized populations in crisis
Conducting assessments for clients in the field to identify and connect them to proper interventions and services
Providing street-based case management services to clients in the community with the goal of linking them to long-term supportive services. This includes:
Assistance with benefits establishment
Assistance with obtaining personal identification documents
Provide linkages to ongoing services including but not limited to: healthcare, substance abuse, mental health, legal, education, employment, entitlement benefits or housing waitlist.
Providing transportation and accompanying clients when necessary to access, medical care, obtain shelter and attend appointments to provide support, advocacy, and assistance
Collaborating with community providers to ensure a smooth transition from street living to housing and access to all necessary services
Actively listens to participants and engages in appropriate problem-solving strategies through trauma-informed conversations.
Ensure all documentation is completed and managed according to policies and procedures.
Provide emergency service referrals (crisis housing, drop-in centers, domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, mental health extreme weather)
Ensure compliance with all documentation
Attend staff meetings, case conferences, training workshops and community meetings as needed.
Participates in audit preparations assisting with data retrieval.
Work independently, organize and prioritize work, and meet critical deadlines
Handle multiple tasks with competing priorities
Be open to change and new information, and adapt behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, and unexpected obstacles.
Exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information; analyzing and projecting consequences of decisions and/or recommendations
Develops, implements, and revises individual case plans and consistently monitors
Maintains a high level of ethical conduct regarding confidentiality, dual-relationships, and professional stature
Position Qualifications:
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; proven ability to collaborate with community partners
Ability to maintain a high level of ethical conduct regarding confidentiality, dual-relationships, and professional relationships
Availability to work evenings as needed
Experience working with dual diagnosed clients highly desirable
Bi-lingual Spanish language capabilities a plus
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Qualifications and Requirements for this Position:
Driver's License: A valid driver's license is required at the time of applications. A valid California Class C Driver's License is required at the time of appointment.
Knowledge of: Basic characteristics of human behavior; and safe driving practices.
Ability to: Observe clients, recognize behavior changes, and take effective action; respond supportively, empathetically, and professionally to persons with severe and persistent mental illness; make appropriate decisions within limits of authority; learn basics of behavioral health treatment systems and common signs/symptoms of acute mental illness; learn various community-based services; understand and follow oral and written instructions; interact with a wide range of people; prepare narrative reports and forms; work irregular hours and weekends; read a map; safely drive a vehicle; work independently; use a computer; use email, text, and operate computers and cell phones; complete and assist clients in completing forms; and learn software programs.
Experience in a social services setting with working knowledge of case management systems and planning techniques;
Knowledge of housing resources, subsidy programs, entitlements, and related services for homeless persons;
Experience working with homeless individuals and families is strongly preferred;
Expertise in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Must have own transportation to conduct job related travel;
Must be able to speak English; bi-lingual a plus; and
Must successfully complete a background check and meet insurance carrier’s requirements for approval to drive.
Additional Information:
Work hours are Monday - Friday, 9-5 although there will be some nighttime and weekend hours on occasion to attend community events, meet with clients and join community and agency partner off-hour street outreach efforts, or attend to emergent client and administrative needs. Starting salary is $21 - $24 per hour with medical and dental benefits provided, 403b contribution and matching, as well as generous paid time off. Position begins immediately.
Send resume, cover letter and a list of three professional references to hr@sbnbcc.org. If we feel you are a good match for the position, you will be contacted to schedule an interview.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ancestry; national origin; religion/creed; sex/sexual orientation; gender; gender identity/expression, transition; political affiliation or beliefs; disability, medical condition, generic information, marital status; military/veteran status; pregnancy and conditions related thereto.; or any other characteristic protected by law (as defined by the California Fair Employment and Housing Act Government Code Section 12900-12996), except where such discrimination is based on a bona fide occupational qualification.
