Outreach Worker

Schedule/Hours: M– F 9:00a.m.–2:30pm (29 hours per week)

This position is responsible for:

Actively locates and evaluates the needs of the homeless population in the community and ensures service delivery to this population; assesses the needs of individuals and connects them with various resources available through the Salvation Army along with agencies in the area. Serves as advocate for clients in order to acquire services that will enable them to functionally cope with their environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serves as part of the street outreach team. Assists with food distribution and other outreach efforts.

• Seeks out homeless individuals through community outreach and offers assistance and services.

• Maintains credible contact with homeless population nurturing a trusting relationship in a continuing effort to persuade homeless to enter The Salvation Army residential and non-residential programs and tracking individuals unwilling to enter residential programs.

• Interviews applicants to determine eligibility for services based on established guidelines and requirements; conduct needs assessments, obtains pertinent information and establishes goals for eligible clients; refers applicants to other agencies as needed.

• Maintains good working relationships with related community programs and resource providers.

• Attends community meetings with representatives of other agencies in order to educate them about the program, while discovering the needs of these entities as it relates to the homeless population.

• Prepares and maintains case records and logs on all assigned clients; ensures the accuracy and completeness of the same; enters pertinent information into the established Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

• This position requires a Level 2 background screening. For general information about the Florida Clearinghouse screening process, visit: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/faq.html

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Ability to work with the public encompassing all types of behaviors.

• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and complete case notes and client records.

• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work in order to accomplish work in compliance with quality standards and deadlines.

• Ability to build and maintain effective and professional working relationships with clients and community agencies.

• Ability to drive a Salvation Army vehicle and to meet Salvation Army insurance requirements.

• Ability to meet attendance requirements.

• Ability to read, write and communicate the English language.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.

• Ability to think clearly and quickly in order to maintain control of client caseload.

• Continuous amounts of physical effort required associated with walking and standing. Limited amounts of lifting and carrying light objects (less than 25 lbs.)

• Work is performed outdoors and indoors. When outdoors, physical discomforts will exist such as those associated with changes in weather or discomforts associated with noise, dust, dirt, and the like.

Employee Benefits:

• Paid Time Off

• Supplemental Insurance Available

• Retirement Savings Plan Available

• Voluntary Life Insurance Available
• Two years of college coursework from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Behavioral Science, or a related field, AND

• Two years’ experience working in a social or public service environment with experience assisting the public, OR

• Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Licenses & Certifications:

Valid State Driver’s License Required with ability to meet Salvation Army driving requirements for insurance purposes and remain qualified to drive a Salvation Army vehicle throughout the course of employment in this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Veterans | Disabled