Description

We are seeking a self-motivated individual who is a creative problem solver and advocate on our Outreach and Diversion Team. The Outreach Specialist is responsible for working with families living unsheltered in King County. The Specialist’s role is to support families on their journey towards an identified housing solution. These outcomes may include relocation, shelter referrals, permanent supportive housing, or transitional and permanent housing.

Valuing diversity and championing equity are core values at Mary’s Place. This position requires critical thinking and analysis through a race equity lens, as well as demonstration of compassion, understanding and empathy while working with diverse staff, guests and community partners in a multi-racial and multi-cultural environment.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position with a weekday, daytime schedule. Occasional evening, weekend, and holiday hours may be required. This is a mobile position with work based at a Mary’s Place shelter location. Compensation is $25 - $28/ hour DOE.

This position reports to the Outreach Manager and does not supervise other staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Work individually with clients to identify realistic housing goals, address barriers to housing, and create housing plans

• Complete housing assessments with clients to gather necessary information for data and housing purposes

• Record data using AGENCY (Mary’s Place internal database) and the Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS). This may include tracking client financial assistance in both data bases

• Make case notes in a timely manner along with keeping all case notes and client information confidential

• Act as an advocate and liaison between clients, support services, landlords, and involved community agencies; including, maintaining ongoing communication with other providers as needed

• Ability to be mobile for meeting attendance, housing assessments, community partnerships, and outreach to people experiencing homelessness

• Attend Diversion team meetings twice weekly

• Work in partnership with the outreach continuum and community providers

• Communicate effectively and professionally with landlords

• Process financial requests accurately and with necessary documentation in a timely manner

• Ability to work with clients who may have substance use disorders, untreated mental health, and significant trauma with a compassionate and trauma informed approach

• Ability to network with other service providers in a professional manner

• Perform duties as assigned

Requirements

Skills/Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree in social services or related field; or equivalent experience working in shelter, social services, or case management

• Experience working in a shelter setting or with homeless population strongly desired

• Experience working in a hospital/clinic environment

• Basic knowledge of Housing First Principles

• Ability to work with clients who may have substance use disorders, untreated mental health, and significant trauma with a compassionate and trauma informed approach; basic understanding of Harm Reduction and Trauma Informed Care is strongly desired

• Familiarity with services and resources in the community that assist single women experiencing homelessness

• Proven ability to form positive relationships with guests, vendors, volunteers, and donors

• Exceptional time management and organizational skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Outlook; able to learn new software/database systems quickly

• Ability to work both independently as well as in a collaborative, team-oriented organization

• Demonstrated creative problem solving, setting healthy professional boundaries, conflict mediation, and crisis management skills

• Demonstrated ability to understand funder requirements and the importance of accurate and timely data collection/entry

• Highly motivated, resourceful, flexible, with a positive attitude and sense of humor, even under pressure

• Willingness and ability to work with people from a variety of racial, cultural, social and economic backgrounds with various lifestyles, sexual orientations, and of all ages and genders.

• Attention to detail, interacting with others in-person and through email, using critical thinking skills to strategize, develop and implement business plans, create and edit documents, listen and participate verbally at meetings

• Ability to travel throughout King County, with a willingness to work with clients in encampments, Tiny House Villages, hospitals/clinics, and other public spaces

• Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends in response to clients’ needs

• Valid WA State driver’s license, and access to a personal vehicle to be able to travel around the county (mileage reimbursed) and/or ability to pass driving test and comfort driving a company van

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear

• The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, type, and reach with hands and arms; and requires the ability to occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry supplies up to 25 pounds

• Work takes place in a social services environment where long periods of sitting, working on a computer, walking to various work areas, going up and down stairs, and standing are required

• Travel to program sites and meetings outside the office and around the county are necessary

• Ability to work in an environment where there may be animals present, including dogs

In compliance with the ADA Amendment Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. Mary’s Place will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship to Mary’s Place would result.

Details

Mary's Place offers the following benefits to full-time staff:

• Medical and dental insurance with the cost for core employee coverage paid at 100% by the company and competitive family rates
• Basic Life Insurance of $50,000 at no cost to employee; option to buy up for additional coverage
• 403(b) plan with a 50% employer match on the first 6% employee contribution. Eligible to participate upon hire; eligible for the match after first year of employment.
• Unlimited use ORCA pass for a small deduction per pay period
• 10 days paid time off (PTO) each calendar year (accrued by pay period)
• 10 days of sick time each calendar year (accrued by pay period)
• 10 days of flexible floating holidays each calendar year (accrued 40 hours on January 1st and 40 hours on July 1st). Prorated based on date of hire for first year of employment.
• Employee Assistance Program

Mary’s Place is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, people of color and other underrepresented groups, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.