Description

Are you passionate about connecting with our neighbors experiencing homelessness and supporting them to reach their goals? If so, Tacoma Rescue Mission (TRM) is seeking an Outreach Specialist to be on a team that carries out our mission – to offer God’s help, hope, and healing to our neighbors in need. At TRM, we believe that people are our greatest asset, and we are committed to attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. Our inclusive and collaborative work environment centers families and fosters creativity, excellence, and professional growth.

Purpose, Vision, and Value Statement

The Tacoma Rescue Mission is a faith-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer God’s help, hope, and healing to our neighbors in need. We are proud to have served the Tacoma and Pierce County communities since 1912. For over 100 years we have continued to serve in the name of Christ, while emphasizing the dignity of each person who enters our doors. We value the needs of our immediate community, and continually adapt to the changing needs of those who come to us for help.

We strive to cultivate a culture built on love and truth, where our integrity is never compromised. Our services and programs are continually measured for efficiency and effectiveness, are committed to quality, and operate through a trauma-informed, person-first, and grace-based approach.

Job Purpose

Seeks out people experiencing homelessness in Pierce County, engaging them relationally to assess their needs and connects them to appropriate resources, including the Coordinated Entry (CE) System, so that they can be housed as soon as possible. Assists with barrier reduction as needed.

Tacoma Rescue Mission Competencies

Client Relationships and Interactions: Connect clients, volunteers, donors, team members, and guests to the mission and vision of The Tacoma Rescue Mission and its programs. Establish rapport and build relationships through effective communication, making all feel understood and valued. Assess needs and share appropriate resources, boosting client confidence in The Tacoma Rescue Mission and its team members.

Creativity and Expansion: Cultivate an environment that constantly seeks growth and adaptation, enhancing services offered. Research and develop new insights and strategies that improve Mission functionality and performance. Embrace the unknown and uncharted territory, pushing limits to increase skill, knowledge, and resources.

Leadership and Culture: Champions the Tacoma Rescue Mission’s core values and pillars, ensuring a high level of service with a commitment to changing lives. Creates a platform that empowers those within the Mission and the community to establish and take ownership of a culture founded on team, trust, and truth.

Professionalism: Carries the current knowledge and operational skills required to perform well, utilizing best practices and demonstrates the desire to grow professionally. Helps create a safe space for Team Members to hold others accountable for behavior and performance, empathetically listens and communicates for understanding when negotiating and dealing with conflict. Setting the standard of quality, providing staff with feedback, coaching, guidance, and support.

Essential Duties &Responsibilities

• Meets and welcomes clients, volunteers, and other visitors.
• Meets clients where they are to assist clients in their journey out of homelessness through progressive engagement and a strengths-based, client-centered approach.
• Assesses immediate housing barriers and helps clients brainstorm creative options for alternate housing arrangements through Coordinated Entry (CE).
• Enrolls clients in the CE system in the HMIS database and works with clients to navigate the housing system and other service systems as needed.
• Conducts intakes and enrolls clients in the stability site waitlist for the City of Tacoma.
• Responsible for locating clients on stability site waitlist, placing in site, and transporting if necessary.
• Helps clients to obtain various forms of identification including birth certificates, ID cards, and social security cards.
• Networks with partners/other services providers as needed.
• Timely completion of required documentation, paperwork, and tasks in HMIS (Homeless Management Information System).
• Consistently meets HMIS data quality requirements of 95% or above (accuracy and completeness).
• Tracks and documents client assistance expenditures, according to TRM and funder requirements.
• Maintains client confidentiality through proper client file storage and retention.
• Prepares Incident Reports, Work Requests and other reports as needed.
• Cleans and picks up trash/waste as needed.
• Cleans office/work space/vehicle, performing light custodial duties.
• Reports any necessary vehicle maintenance issues.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support others and ensure an efficient and effective work environment.

Working Conditions

Some weekends and evenings; works with clients who have high barriers, including but not limited to people experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders, and people who sometimes carry weapons for protection on the streets. Some office work, but more time spent seeking out people experiencing homelessness in encampments and other places not meant for human habitation; working outside in inclement weather.

Schedule & Work Location

Schedule:

Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 7am-5pm

*Initial training schedule will be Monday-Thursday 7am-5pm.

Work Location:

Downtown Campus

425 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98402

*This position includes frequent off-site outreach around the community.

Requirements

• Experience working in street outreach for people experiencing homelessness, minimum of one year required.
• Case management experience, preferred.
• Experience working in Coordinated Entry and HMIS, preferred.
• Understanding of substance use issues in early recovery and recovery management including maintenance of professional boundaries.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish speaking preferred.
• Skilled in clear and effective written, verbal, and electronic communication.
• Effective de-escalation skills.
• Effective listening skills and problem-solving skills.
• Basic computer skills, including MS Word, Excel and Outlook, able to execute diverse functions with speed and accuracy.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to multi-task and work in varying locations (office, van, outside, etc.).
• Ability to apply the principles of trauma-informed care.
• Ability to maintain a compassionate and positive attitude in stressful situations.
• Ability to operate TRM vans for the purposes of supporting the needs of the program.
• Acceptable driving record.
• Successful completion of TRM driving test.

Certificates & Licenses

• Professional certifications:
  • Mental Health First Aid, preferred.
  • Peer Support Specialist, preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Stationary position 25% of the time.
• Occasionally moves about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Occasionally moves to respond to urgent situations.
• Frequently operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Communicates information and ideas so others will understand. Exchanges accurate information in these situations.
• Observes details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Frequently moves boxes weighing up to 25 pounds across office for various needs.
• Works in outdoor weather conditions approximately 75% of the time.
• Frequently works in outdoor weather conditions and traverses long distances over rough terrain when visiting encampments.
• Operates a vehicle (12-passenger van).
• Wears proper PPE (personal protective equipment) when necessary for exposure control.

Benefits

We offer comprehensive benefits:

• Medical and Dental Packages at No or Little Cost to Employees
• 12 Paid Holidays, plus a Bonus Day
• Four Weeks’ Vacation Accrued Annually
• 10 Hours of Sick Leave Accrued Monthly
• Participation in 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match
• Employee Assistance Program

Please note, applicants should describe their experience meeting minimum qualifications (and preferred qualifications if applicable) in resume as part of the application process.

Open until filled; for best consideration, submit a completed application by Friday, September 29th, 2023. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of October 2nd.