Arpa Outreach Navigator

**Department : ARPA Job Title**:
**Outreach Housing Navigator**

**Job Summary**: Outreach Housing Navigator will serve on the cross-jurisdictional Encampment

Response Team, alongside County Community Services, Public Health, County Fire, and County Law Enforcement, City staff leads, and transit agencies (Caltrans and railroad companies). The team will assess existing encampments reported for health and safety risks, provide education on hazards, and provide linkages to shelter and services. Outreach Housing Navigators should participate in case conferencing to ensure clients entering CES are matched to the appropriate permanent housing resource. A parallel purpose of these efforts will be to provide an avenue to respond to resident and local business concerns about encampments and homeless residents, targeting the population in documented danger of injury and/or death from fires and vehicle/train right-of-way (ROW)pedestrian strikes encampments in specific transit corridor areas (along U.S. Hwy 101 and CA Hwy 1, specifically where railroad parallels and intersects highways).The Homeless Outreach Housing Navigator is responsible for identifying unsheltered homeless neighbors through direct street outreach activities. Under the direct supervision of the Homeless Outreach Program Manager, this position is responsible for assisting clients with accessing any necessary community resources, provide support and assist clients with gaining, restoring, improving, or maintaining daily independent living, social/leisure, and/ or personal hygiene skills.

**Responsibilities**:

- Maintain up-to-date contact information and areas frequented for each person via Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
- Coordinate, integrate, and leverage resources to maximize impact of services for individuals who are experiencing homelessness
- Engage individuals and families not yet working with a CES Partner Agency, with a primary focus on unsheltered families and individuals in encampments
- Reconnect individuals and families who had previous contact with CES
- Conduct frequent visits to encampments known to have persons experiencing homelessness throughout the County
- Providing crisis intervention that promotes wellness and recovery.
- Conduct initial intake interview and client needs assessments.
- Record all assessments and subsequent services in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Enter and maintain timely and complete client data
- Connect or reconnect individuals and families to basic services including eligible benefits, primary healthcare clinic, and other necessary resources (e.g. food, clothing, and shelter)
- Link to the Coordinated Entry System in order to provide ongoing engagement, document collection, and case management services in order to facilitate a match to an appropriate housing resource.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.

**Required Skills/Abilities**:

- Professional verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
- Ability to accomplish goals and produce valuable results with mínimal supervision
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent professional boundaries
- Maintain and execute confidential information according to HIPAA standards
- Exercise mature judgement, and are highly motivated, self-starting and proactive

**Education and Experience**:

- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- Two years’ experience as an outreach worker or case manager.
- Commitment to serving homeless individuals. Prior experience working with homeless clients or lived experience is highly preferred.
- This position requires working independently and with outreach lead in the field, and may include some periodic scheduled evening hours.
- Proficiency with PC Computer systems and Microsoft Office (work, excel); experience with HMIS data entry strongly preferred
- Ability to establish a rapport with people experiencing homelessness, including those who are
- Be able and willing to work flexible hours which may include evenings or weekends
- Have or be able and willing to obtain CPR/First Aid training Provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination
- Have reliable transportation and:

- A valid driver’s license
- The ability to qualify for Good Samaritan Shelter insurance coverage
- **Successfully complete the following as a condition of hire**:_

Tuberculosis Test

Background Screening

Drug Test

**Work Environment**

The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using alcohol and drugs, and who may not be attentive to basic personal hygiene, health and safety practices. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the client’s use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal hygiene. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effe