Homeless Outreach Specialist

Job Details
Job Location:    River House - Portland, OR
Position Type:    Full Time
Salary Range:    $ $29.00 Hourly
Job Shift:    Day

Description

Title: Shelter Outreach Specialist - HS018

Location: RiverHouse - 211 SE Caruthers Street is in Portland, Oregon, 97214

Schedule: Mon-Fri 9-5p 

Wage Range: $25.00-$29.00 non-exempt, hourly 

If you are a motivated and dedicated Inreach Specialist looking for an opportunity to contribute to an organization making a positive impact, we want to hear from you

At NARA Northwest, you'll find a supportive work environment where every team member is valued and respected. Whether you're passionate about healthcare, behavioral health, education, or social services, there's a place for you to make a meaningful difference.  

Company Mission:

The mission of NARA NW is to provide education, physical, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and anyone in need.

About the Company:

At NARA NW, we deliver services and support to Native American and Alaska Native communities, helping individuals lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

With over 450 employees across a variety of programs—including medical and dental care, addiction treatment, housing assistance, and enrichment initiatives NARA NW offers numerous opportunities for growth and advancement, all while making a tangible, positive impact on the lives of others.

Position Overview:

The Homeless Outreach Specialist works independently and collaboratively with a team of health and social service professionals to assist in the development and implementation of outreach services for homeless Veterans to access services and serves as a bridge between the community and the system of housing, health and social services for Veterans. Outreach efforts are conducted primarily at VA centers, shelters, and locations where homeless veterans may be gathered (i.e. encampments, meal programs, etc.) The Outreach Worker assists homeless veterans and their families to access needed relevant services for holistic care, to include housing resources, behavioral healthcare, medical healthcare, and dental care.  Hours of work are flexible to meet program needs with some evenings and weekends. With the knowledge of trauma informed care and the skills of motivational interviewing the Homeless Veterans Outreach Worker is responsible for engaging with veterans who struggle to access Veterans services due to complex psychosocial issues, cultural barriers, etc.

What you will do:

•    Participate in outreach activities to engage homeless Veterans and assess individual and family needs.

•    Perform brief screening and assessment when appropriate. Assist homeless veterans to access resources through the Homeless Veterans Registry and other Coordinated Access systems for homeless services as appropriate.

•    Engage with clients by eliminating social, cultural, linguistic and educational barriers to develop a culturally competent and creative action plan for the client.

•    Coordinate with other Veterans services, including the Veterans Administration, the VA's Community Resource and Referral Center, and Transition Projects, Inc. Attend regular meetings between Veterans service providers. 

•    Coordinate with community alcohol and drug treatment providers, including detox, residential, outpatient, etc., as well as with community behavioral healthcare providers, including outpatient and inpatient.

•    Facilitate communication and positive relationship-building between clients, veterans' service providers, and other medical, behavioral health, and social service providers; guide clients through complex service systems.

•    Consult with clinical supervisor in complex cases exceeding area of expertise

•    Demonstrate a person-centered approach in working with clients by respecting their self-determination and autonomy and exploring their ambivalence by utilizing Motivational Interviewing principles

•    Participate in agency and care team meetings to coordinate outreach activities as needed.

•    Respond to requests for outreach to individuals in the community.

•    Collaborate with housing and auxiliary providers in developing care plans and goals based on identified needs

•    Strongly adhere to Trauma Informed Care principles and educate providers on this model as appropriate.

•    Ensure that clients get timely access to appropriate services by promoting and modeling advocacy skills.

•    Help coordinate patient transportation and accompaniment as needed.

 
Qualifications
 

 

We would like to hear from people that have:

•    High School Diploma or General Education Diploma required.

•    QMHA, Certified Recovery Mentor (CRM) and/or Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor I (CADC-I) strongly preferred.

•    Experience serving homeless adults, preferably working directly with homeless veterans. 

•    Experience conducting outreach and multi-agency collaboration strongly preferred.

•    Experience working with Veterans, either professionally or through lived experience, strongly preferred.

•    Demonstrated effectiveness in presenting ideas, transmitting information, or conveying concepts to individuals or groups of people of varying educational, cultural and experiential levels.

•    Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients, the community, and other staff members.

•    Ability to work collaboratively with clients, other treatment program staff, team members, and to treat everyone with respect and dignity at all times.

•    Written and organizational skills to complete all required documentation.

•    If in recovery, must have a minimum of two years sobriety/clean time.

•    Ability to pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.

•    Ability to pass DHS criminal background and DMV checks.

What's in it for you?

14 Paid Holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Battle of Little Big Horn, Independence Day, Labor Day, Native American Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, and December 25th

Benefits: Employees working 20 hours, or more are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective from the 1st of the month following the date of hire. 

• Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance through Kaiser Permanente
• 14 Paid Holidays (Listed Above)
• 13 Paid Days of Sick Time
• 13 Paid Days of PTO (Vacation accruals increase with years of service to a maximum of 26 days)
• $50,000 Life Insurance & AD&D
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account 
• Health Spending Account
• 401(k) with 4% Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Inclement Weather Days (Snow Days)
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness -NARA NW is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit, FQHC

How to apply:

1. To Quick Apply, go to Careers – NARA NW )
2. Look for the position you want to apply for and submit a resume (Required) and cover letter (Optional), that's all
3. Feel free to contact  if you have any questions or would like to know where your application is in the process.

NARA NW Mission: Our mission is to provide education, physical and mental health services and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and everyone in need.

NARA NW is fully committed to supporting sobriety. To support NARA NW in its mission, all employees agree to refrain from illicit drug use, marijuana use, and prescription drug abuse, both on and off the job. In addition, all employees agree to model alcohol sobriety. Modeling alcohol sobriety means not consuming, discussing, or promoting the use of alcohol, on the job, on social media and when in the community where the employee would be likely to be seen by NARA NW clients or community. If in recovery, employees must have been sober/clean for a length of time sufficient to demonstrate that they will be able to remain sober.

Consistent with NARA NW's sobriety policy, all employees, volunteers, interns, and contractors, as applicable, are required to sign a "Drug-Free/Alcohol-Free Workplace Certification Form" and NARA NW "Modeling Sobriety Policy Form" as a condition of employment to confirm that they are aware of this policy and that they agree to comply with it. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. This policy is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its state counterpart

 

Preference in hiring is given to qualified Native Americans in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, US Code, Sections 472 and 473). NARA Northwest is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Within the scope of Indian Preference, all candidates will receive equal consideration. Experience working with Native American/ Alaska Native community is considered a plus.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position's activities and requirements, the agency reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties, as necessary.

---