POSITION TITLE: ACT Peer Outreach Specialist

REPORTS TO: ACT Program Manager

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Regular, Non-Exempt

SCHEDULE: 40 hours/week, eligible for hybrid work after 6 months

SALARY RANGE: $41,000 -44,000

PRIORITY CONSIDERATION BY: April 1, 2024

JOB SUMMARY:

The REACH Center works with nearly 3,000 at-risk youth and young adults ages 12-24 each year to provide them with housing services, educational opportunities, career development, peer mentoring, and other supportive services. REACH has a strong track record of leveraging institutional partnerships to serve young people, and coordinates programs that annually place over 200 people in jobs and provide permanent housing for up to 300 youth experiencing homelessness. REACH is at the forefront of youth development, career readiness, and the fight against youth homelessness in the Greater Puget Sound Region. The work of the REACH Center contributes to positive systems change and has sparked interest in widespread replication of the REACH service delivery model on a wider scale.

This role was created to bolster the efforts of a collaborative team comprising local non-profits and service providers known as ACT on Youth Homelessness. The team initially united in 2018 as part of Pierce County's 100-day Challenge, aimed at making significant strides in addressing youth homelessness. During that challenge, the team achieved an extraordinary milestone by successfully housing 176 young individuals within a mere 100 days.

The REACH Center is currently in search of an ACT Peer Outreach Specialist who will specialize in identifying and establishing connections with youth and young adults facing housing instability or homelessness, with a specific focus on Youth of Color and/or LGBTQ youth.

As an ACT Peer Outreach Specialist, your primary role will involve assisting clients in securing stable and positive housing solutions. This will encompass various approaches, including diversion strategies, housing programs, foster care placements, extended foster care, and coordinating social services. Working closely with the ACT team, you will provide personalized support to each client by helping them craft an Individual Service Plan (ISP) designed to address their unique obstacles and concerns related to health and well-being. Additionally, it is your responsibility to empower clients by identifying their strengths and natural support systems. Most of your duties will be carried out through a collaborative, multidisciplinary, and multi-agency team approach.

Individuals with personal, shared, or lived experience as an immigrant, refugee, or homeless young adult are strongly encouraged to apply.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct Coordinated Entry screenings to determine the most appropriate client driven housing solution.
• Respond promptly to incoming phone calls, emails, and voicemails from clients and staff, providing courteous support, and information regarding REACH programs, eligibility, and intake process with clarity and professionalism.
• Perform outreach activities to include locating, engaging, and developing rapport with runaway and homeless youth and young adults who are on the street, living between friends, family members, and/or willing adults.
• Conduct intake and individualized needs assessment for all clients and work with clients to develop Individualized Service Plans (ISP’s). Monitor and evaluate progression.
• Coordinate and provide client supportive activities and services with other program staff and the ACT team. Specific activities include assisting clients with securing necessary documentation, resource referrals, legal support, and identifying appropriate stable housing solutions.
• Provide information, referrals, linkages, and advocacy to assist clients in accessing services and resources.
• Advocate on behalf of clients and support them to advocate for themselves.
• Ensure thorough and complete maintenance of records of participants’ activity/progress
• Maintain client related data tracking systems, including case notes and complete HMIS entries. Ensure entries are accurate and timely.
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation.
• Prepare and submit reports to supervisor in a timely manner.
• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with homeless shelters and community resources.
• Network with other agencies, coalitions, and local community meetings.
• Attend community resource meetings, trainings, and workshops as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Personal –

• Passion for the mission and vision of the REACH Center
• Dedication to maintaining confidentiality and the integrity to determine how it must be applied
• Ability to establish rapport with diverse groups of people across the community from different social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds
• A clear understanding of, and the ability to demonstrate, professional ethics, boundaries and judgment
• Ability to communicate and set firm, clear boundaries with youth
• Demonstrated ability to appropriately intervene and lead in crisis situations
• Professionalism, punctuality, flexibility, and reliability are imperative
• Strong problem-solving skills
• High degree of emotional maturity and cultural competence, particularly as it relates to working with LGBTQIA populations, people of color, and at-risk youth and young adults
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to adapt to changing needs, priorities, and timelines
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks
• Provision of services in an inclusive and non-judgmental manner
• Strong problem-solving skills
• High degree of computer proficiency, including Microsoft and Google suites

Experience & Education –

• Any combination of education, experience, and measurable performance which demonstrates the capability to perform the duties of this position.
• Personal experience with and understanding of street culture and/or homelessness required.
• Strong demonstrated cultural competency and/or direct experience in working with BIPOC and LGBTQ youth and young adults.
• Education or experience in cultural competency.

Other –

• 21 years of age and older
• CPR/First Aid training
• Required to carry an agency provided cell phone during all work hours
• Ability to work a flexible schedule which may include evenings and/or weekends
• Washington Driver’s License and business-use vehicle insurance required by time of hire
• Reliable vehicle
• Must be eligible to work in the United States

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or equivalency
• Training in the following is desirable but not required: trauma informed care, LGBTQ cultural competency, racial equity and anti-racist institutions, domestic violence, commercial and sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), and vicarious trauma.

PHYSICAL RQUIREMENTS & WORK CONDITIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Traverse throughout the community, often in outdoor settings
• Meet clients in the community at various locations
• Remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time
• Operate a computer and other office equipment, such as copy machine or calculator
• Traverse around the building from one room to another
• Access files and/or supplies in cabinets and/or drawers close to the ground
• Communicate with coworkers and with clients whose primary language may not be English
• Review electronic and physical data for accuracy

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be required to:

• Transport boxes up to 20 pounds at a time
• Access files and/or supplies in tall cabinets
• Use metal fasteners in file folders

This position primarily works indoors in an office environment but may also occasionally work outdoors. Work may be conducted onsite at the REACH Center and offsite at other agencies and in the community. Noise levels may vary depending on the work environment. This position may have opportunities to work remotely on occasion and/or on a flexible schedule, with supervisor's approval and dependent on the department's needs. Individuals in this position may be expected to navigate difficult and uncomfortable situations while working with participants who have suffered trauma.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $41,000.00 - $44,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• What would you bring to the role that few other candidates could bring?
• Why do you believe homelessness exists, particularly for youth and young adults?

Experience:

• Case management: 1 year (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Tacoma, WA 98405: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person