Outreach and Advocacy Specialist

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Job Summary

Responsible for providing direct human or social services to unsheltered homeless citizens per established policies and procedures and addressing the health and safety issues impacting the surrounding community and citizens in the City of Dallas.

Job Description
 

Overview

The Outreach and Advocacy Specialist provides direct human or social services to unsheltered homeless citizens per established policies and procedures. Addresses the health and safety issues impacting the surrounding community and citizens in the City of Dallas.

Essential Functions

1 Identifies and addresses the public health and safety issues for individuals experiencing homelessness and identifies, refers, tracks, measures ways to minimizes the impact in the community.

2 Engages, assesses, and refers unsheltered homeless citizens to a variety of resources for behavioral, mental, and physical intervention.

3 Encourages and works with individuals experiencing homelessness to leave the streets to secure safe and stable housing or reunite them with their families.

4 Develops, fosters, and maintains positive relationships with vendors to address the public and health and safety issues at homeless encampments; ensures cleanup, closures, and site hardening or reclamation.

5 Maintains accurate records, statistics, and documentation of services and referrals in the Homeless Management Information System to evaluate the goals and objectives of the Street and Outreach Services.

6 Collaborates, engages, and communicates with agencies serving the homeless that utilize multi-disciplinary approaches at mapping out effective intervention strategies designed to assist the homeless.

7 Assists and supports individuals and families in developing an appropriate stabilization plan designed to sustain self-sufficiency and reduce chronic homelessness.

8 Attends meetings by providing motivational interviews, presentations, and reports to management and resource partners; facilitates stockholder's meetings in assigned districts to discuss and address community concerns.

9 Responds to assigned service requests within an established timeframe; proactively assess new and growing encampments in the area.

10 Performs any and all other work as needed or assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1 Knowledge of federal, state, and local behavioral health guidelines and the ability to apply guidelines to program operations with homeless clients.

2 Knowledge of social service delivery systems, including the network of local social service agencies.

3 Knowledge of physical & mental health issues.

4 Knowledge of City policies and procedures.

5 Ability to interact with clients from various socioeconomic backgrounds.

6 Ability to identify public health and safety issues.

7 Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

8 Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION

•  Bachelor's degree in a Social Science, Psychology or Human Services related field.

EXPERIENCE

•  Two (2) years of experience in social services field which included providing direct human/social services. 

EQUIVALENCIES

•  A high school diploma or GED plus six (6) years of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.

• Associate degree in any field plus four (4) years of required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in a non-specified field plus four (4) years of required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.

• Master's degree (or higher) in a specified field will meet the education and experience requirements. ​

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Valid driver's license with good driving record. ​

Salary Range

 

$ $31.28

The salary listed on this job posting is the starting salary range; amount offered will depend upon qualifications.

City of Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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