The Outreach Worker I is responsible for performing street outreach to people experiencing homelessness county-wide. The Outreach Worker I reaches out to individuals and families that are not being served or are underserved by existing community service delivery systems, building trusting relationships and developing a rapport to lead to openness to seeking help and acceptance of assistance.

The Outreach Worker I engages individuals experiencing homelessness as a first step to accepting care for immediate health and safety needs, using available services and resources, and taking steps to become integrated into the community.

The Outreach Worker I seeks to enable individuals and families to accept placement and opportunities to stabilize their lives by utilizing diversion practices, crisis response and intervention, shelter referrals, interim housing placement, and linking individuals to appropriate continued services.

Essential Functions

1. Conduct mobile outreach and create client service engagement opportunities for homeless individuals and families on the streets. Conduct outreach when required at the Drop-In Center.
2. Follow Engagement, Assessment, and Referrals (E.A.R.) procedure as defined in Catholic Charities’ Outreach Services (OS) Policy and Procedures.
3. Facilitate and maintain community relationships to create referral pathways for program participants into Catholic Charities’ programs.
4. Assist with screening of potential program participants for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing programs, emphasizing the engagement of homeless veterans.
5. Provide program materials and referral training sessions to community partners regarding shelter services, including outreach to motels, churches, and downtown merchants.
6. Provide support and guidance to participants as they transition from street to shelter.
7. Follow safety protocols for community street outreach.
8. Perform job functions in line with the policies and procedures guiding the work of this position, the program, and the agency.
9. Research and implement best practices in street outreach and assist participants in acquiring resources for acquiring housing.
10. Develop and manage a comprehensive outreach/working relationship with all stakeholders, elected officials and staff, commercial, and private community activists, and clients.
11. Divert or link individuals and families with the appropriate services, including Coordinated Entry, diversion, crisis response and intervention, shelter referrals, temporary housing, permanent housing, and Rapid Re-Housing.
12. Provide thorough and complete documentation of all required activities and engagements, per contract requirements, including P.I.R.P. case notes, and documentation of reasonable accommodation requests.
13. Support the Mission, Vision, and Values of Catholic Charities in the performance of all essential job functions and responsibilities.

Note: Catholic Charities considers this position to be a mandated reporter of child abuse and elder abuse.

Other Responsibilities

1. Work with Diocese of Santa Rosa and local parishes as appropriate and requested.
2. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Agency Culture

It is essential that all employees of Catholic Charities aspire to the following:

• A commitment to the agency’s mission, vision, and values.
• A commitment to excellence in everything we do.
• A commitment to performance and quality improvement.
• A commitment to outcomes and measured results.
• A commitment to innovation and to what is possible.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required

1. High School Diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE), previous experience working or volunteering with individuals and/or families experiencing homelessness or equivalent related work experience required.
2. Understanding of causes of homelessness, experience working within social services, knowledge of Housing First, street outreach methods, and relevant community resources.
3. Must become certified in CPR and First Aid within six months of transfer to this position or hire date.
4. Ability to work under pressure with a positive, solution-oriented approach. Experience in crisis intervention and problem solving with ability to diffuse an intense situation.
5. Ability to learn and apply various engagement techniques to a variety of situations.
6. Cooperative, friendly, and helpful attitude with clients and co-workers. Ability to work closely with other employees to ensure a positive, constructive environment within the program and throughout the agency.
7. Computer literacy required, including experience with Office 365 and Excel.
8. Strong written and verbal communication; organizational, conflict resolution and problem solving skills.
9. Passion and enthusiasm for the mission of Catholic Charities and its clients.
10. Valid driver license and at least state required minimum of automobile insurance, clear DMV driving record and ability to provide own transportation. Must be willing and able to travel between agency sites.
11. Must pass DOJ background clearance (fingerprinting) in accordance with the Diocese of Santa Rosa’s policies, prior to start of employment.
12. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, but not required.

Equal opportunity employer

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa is an Equal Opportunity Employer, seeking the best and brightest. Our organization does not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or status with regard to public assistance. We support, educate, create opportunities for, and ensure the wellbeing of our staff for the betterment of those most in need.

CCDSR participates in E-Verify, an Internet-based system that compares information entered by an employer from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to records available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm employment eligibility.