Homeless Outreach Coordinator

Organization:

Founded in 2003, AMI Housing is a California-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to house and support the most vulnerable residents of the Sierra Region by enhancing the lives of people with mental illness by providing housing, employment, and supportive services.  

Summary of primary job functions:

The Outreach Coordinator helps build relationships with community partners and community members by planning, directing, or coordinating activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for AMI Housing and our mission. The Outreach Coordinator helps identify community needs, develop wellness programs and initiatives and track progress. This position is responsible for assisting in helping house individuals experiencing homelessness and those at-risk of homelessness by providing financial assistance, housing search, and community resource connection. The outreach coordinator must have experience in providing care to low-income populations, including those experiencing homelessness and behavioral health issues, is committed to providing quality programs and services, and can work well with community partners and a diverse team. 

• Coordinate allocation of homeless prevention and rapid rehousing funds from the ESG, HEAP, and ASSK grant funding.
• Screen referrals and determine client eligibility for funds ensuring all required documentation is gathered, complete, submitted and maintained. 
• Provides basic assessment, information, referral, and support using a variety of service delivery platforms and other community partners.  
• Create program participants' records and conduct timely data entry by funder requirements while adhering to all privacy and confidentiality policies. 
• Work with clients to locate and obtain sustainable housing.
• Create a housing stabilization plan by providing resources for supportive services.
• Assist eligible individuals in applying for SSI using the SOAR model.
• Assist individuals with applying for CalFresh benefits.
• Facilitate the Ready to Rent course to homeless or at-risk individuals and/or families.
• Facilitate outreach efforts by hosting resource and information booths at community functions and events. 
• Solicit donations to supplement program functions and events.
• Establish, collaborate, and maintain relationships with community partners, community-based programs and organizations, community leaders and local law enforcement. 
• Reports urgent concerns to leadership and others on an as-needed basis. 
• Support clients and landlords by investigating and resolving tenant/landlord complaints. 
• Enter information into various data systems, including, but not limited to, Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and Coordinated Entry.
• Work collaboratively with County and community partners for all program intakes and exits to ensure seamless transitions to and from programs.  
• Identify and maintain information on existing and emerging services and resources for distribution to agency staff, community providers, and program referrals/participants.
• Work in an organized manner, multitask, and complete assignments within expected timeframes (e.g., ordering supplies, scheduling vendors, covering other clerical staff, troubleshooting office issues as needed). 
• Manage and redirect telephone calls to the appropriate staff, take accurate messages, and ensure information is given to the necessary people.
• Provide support to various housing programs to ensure records are updated and complete. 
• Provide additional support to administration and agency as assigned.

Skills:   

• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrate empathy, compassion and understanding when working with individuals with mental illness and/or substance abuse.
• Must multitask with attention to detail while working in a fast-paced and sometimes chaotic environment.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work.
• Type and Enter data at a sufficient rate to be successful in employment.

Ability to: 

• Establish beneficial connections between people and organizations through community outreach and events.
• Continuously sit at a desk and stand at the counter for extended periods; use a keyboard to communicate through written means; run errands; lift lightweight. 
• Continuously sit at a desk for long periods; intermittently walk, stand, bend, climb, squat, twist, and reach while retrieving or returning files or making field visits.  Intermittently twist to get equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; see with correctable acuity sufficient to read characters on a computer screen; hear and speak with enough sense to communicate with others. 
• Make rapid and accurate arithmetic calculations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. 
• Understand the organization and operations of the AMIH and community partners as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities. 
• Willingness to complete job-related tasks and accept training.
• Compile and maintain extensive records and files. 
• Operate a variety of office machines/computers and software systems. 

Education//Background: 

• Bachelor's degree or an associate degree with 2 years of experience in a social service-related field or 4 years of experience in a social service-related field.
• Bilingual fluency (English/Spanish) is preferred.
• Complete and pass pre-employment background checks (fingerprints, drug and alcohol testing, criminal background checks and TB clearance). 

Work experience may include:

• A minimum of two years of related work experience.
• Experience working within some housing programs is a plus. Experience in Housing First Practices is preferred. 
• Minimum of two years of experience working with individuals with mental illness, drug/alcohol abuse, homelessness, or other social services. Work experience includes intake, taking referrals, and participant history.
• A minimum of one year of experience with Coordinated Entry and Homeless Information Management System (HIMS) preferred.
• Experience working in low-income housing or property management is preferred. 

Licenses and Certification:

• Possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record as required for the position.
• Be comfortable driving in varying terrain and weather conditions.
• Ability to operate or travel in a four-wheel-drive vehicle may be required.
• Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required. 

Computer Proficiency:

• Strong computer proficiency (i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Microsoft Teams/Zoom, SurveyMonkey, Google Docs, internet, and Calendar) ) to complete daily duties within the expected timeframes with little to no supervision.

Personal Characteristics:

• Be welcoming and supportive. Displays a solid desire to advance the agency’s mission and help people with mental illness improve their lives by becoming independent, successful community members.

Salary : $24 - $26