Unified Care Team Counselor

Position Description

The Unified Care Team is responsible for providing a collaborative, neighborhood approach to address homeless encampments citywide, through connecting people to resources to come inside, while ensuring public spaces are clean, open, and accessible to all. As part of those efforts, HSD is hiring an outreach position to support the daily efforts of the UCT. These positions will be asked to provide direct services to individuals experiencing homelessness. They will provide a consistent presence in an assigned neighborhood (Council District 7), to build relationships with those experiencing unsheltered homelessness, assess their needs (i.e. Housing needs, behavioral health needs, medical needs, employment needs, etc.) and connect them with appropriate services. They will be trained in needs assessments, trauma informed care, crisis intervention, de-escalation, and how to access services within the homelessness system in our region. They will provide outreach to Seattle encampments, with the goal of moving people into shelter and connecting to services. They will be asked to make offers of shelter, as stipulated by the MDAR 17-01, at all advanced notice encampment removals.

This position will be employed by HSD and embedded with the Unified Care Team’s daily activities. The outreach position will work collaboratively with their assigned Neighborhood Outreach Team (this position is Council District 7), reporting progress updates to their district’s Regional Coordinator. This position will be supervised by the north end Managing Regional Coordinator.

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct individualized needs assessments for folks residing in encampments within your assigned district.
• Develop service plans with individuals, match them with the right resources, and assist in making appropriate referrals.
• Work with individuals who are experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, behavioral health issues, co-occurring disorders, and other physical medical conditions.
• Assist people in navigating the homelessness system, with a thorough understanding of what resources are available.
• Provide motivational interviewing, de-escalation, and crisis intervention.
• Collaborate with community-based contracted partners to ensure that the appropriate level of care is being provided to meet each individual’s needs.
• Work with interpretation services, as needed.
• Maintain clear and concise case notes on individuals you engage with.
• Evaluate individuals and make referrals to services (to include, emergency shelter services, long-term case management services, culturally specific services, population-specific services, health services, legal services).
• Assist with and arrange transportation for individuals to arrive at services.
• Work with the Unified Care Team to ensure individuals on City property are provided outreach and engagement services before, and during, closure of their encampment sites.
• Make offers of alternative shelter resources to folks residing in encampments that are scheduled for closure.
• Enter person-level (and site specific) data after all engagements in multiple data platforms.
• Ensure that data is entered accurately and in a timely manner.
• Serve as a member of an inter-departmental. multi-disciplinary neighborhood team.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3 years' experience in unsheltered homelessness service delivery and/or other human services and a bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Psychology or a related field (or a combination of education and/or training and/or work experience which provides the ability to perform the work of the class).
• Strong understanding of race & social justice principals and impacts of systemic racism and oppression on communities served by HSD.
  
  

Desired Qualifications

• Experience providing outreach to individuals in encampments.
• Experience navigating the homeless services system in Seattle.
• 2 years' experience providing direct services to individuals experiencing homelessness
• Bilingual or multilingual a plus
• Understanding of the Unified Care Team and the MDAR-1701
• Experience tracking and recording health and human services data
  
  

Additional Information

The full salary range for this opportunity is $43.37 - $50.42 an hour.

This position is scheduled to work 40 hours a week from Tuesdays - Saturdays.

Hiring Process

Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

• Completed NEOGOV online application.
• Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.
• Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
• Supplemental questionnaire response.
  
  

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.