Outreach Specialist

AYA Core Values:

Take Agency - Be Authentic - Create Healthy Community - Foster Inclusion

Position Summary:

• The Outreach Specialist is the first point of contact for youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability. This role conducts consistent, trauma-informed street outreach in known congregation areas, schools, shelters, encampments, and public spaces to build trust with youth, provide harm reduction resources, and connect them to AYA's Drop-In Center, housing, and supportive services. Outreach Specialists ensure youth have immediate access to basic needs, safety planning, and pathways to long-term stability. They are a vital part of the Transitional Living Program's early intervention and engagement efforts.

What you'll be doing in this role:

• 1. Street Outreach & Engagement
• Conduct consistent outreach in identified high-need areas (parks, bus stations, encampments, laundromats, schools, etc.).
• Approach youth with empathy, introduce AYA's mission, and provide immediate support such as food, hygiene kits, and resource materials.
• Develop and maintain a rotating outreach schedule that ensures consistent presence and visibility in the community.
• Engage youth in safety and stabilization planning, including crisis de-escalation and connection to emergency services.
  Build relationships through consistent follow-up, trust-building, and word-of-mouth engagement.
• 2. Community & Youth Outreach
• Provide education about housing options, coordinated entry, AYA's Drop-In Center, and national RHY resources.
• Collaborate with schools, law enforcement, health providers, and social service partners to identify and refer youth.
• Support tabling events, health fairs, and community education efforts to increase awareness of youth homelessness and available services.

• Maintain and distribute outreach materials (print, digital, and social media) co-designed with youth and partners.
  Build connections with law enforcement and conduct regular check-ins to discuss data and youth.

• 3. Safety & Crisis Response

• Conduct on-site risk assessments and follow AYA safety protocols, ensuring awareness of surroundings during fieldwork.
• Connect youth in crisis to mobile crisis units, emergency shelters, and victim support systems (e.g., YWCA, Safe Haven, Sacred Beginnings, Local Law Enforcement).
• Participate in regular debriefs and supervision to process field experiences and strengthen trauma resilience.
  Document all outreach contacts, locations, and services provided in Apricot and RHY-HMIS systems in real time
• 1. Youth Voice & Continuous Improvement
• Engage youth in shaping outreach strategies through the Youth Advisory Board and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Team.
• Gather feedback from youth and partners to refine outreach approaches, messaging, and locations.
• Participate in quarterly reviews and training to ensure ongoing quality and alignment with RHY standards.

We expect you to bring…

• • Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related field preferred (or equivalent experience in youth outreach or community work).
• Minimum 1–2 years of experience working with homeless or high-needs youth populations.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed, harm reduction, and strengths-based engagement strategies.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build rapport quickly with diverse populations.
• Must be comfortable with fieldwork and working in various outdoor/community environments.

• Valid driver's license, reliable vehicle, and flexible schedule (some evenings/weekends required).

• Self-Management skills. Must be able to manage own time and priorities

• Process skills. Must be detail-oriented. Must be committed to providing prompt responses to inquiries and requests, and to being relentless in following up until tasks are complete.
• Thinking skills. Must be able to demonstrate success in solving problems, managing multiple priorities, escalating issues appropriately, making decisions, and developing creative approaches to intractable issues.
• Interpersonal skills. Must be able to listen actively, synthesize ideas, and obtain cooperation from others in transforming those ideas into action. Must be skilled at communicating orally and in writing, with emphasis on ability to present ideas clearly and concisely.
• Professional skills. Must exhibit maturity and professionalism in personal behavior when officially representing AYA and even when off duty.
• Psychological skills. Must balance focus with flexibility, enthusiasm with patience. Must be willing to take ownership and initiative. A positive, partnership perspective is essential, as is a high tolerance for ambiguity.

Bonus points if you have…

• Background working with people who have experienced homelessness, trauma and/or mental health/substance use concerns and knowledge of de-escalation techniques, or own lived experience with these systems.
• Basic understanding of the community's social service and housing landscape.
• Bilingual and/or multilingual a plus

Some perks for working at AYA:

• Health insurance (covered 75% for you & dependents) + HSA
• Dental, vision, life insurance, disability benefits offered
• Simple IRA with 3% employer match
• Healthy PTO program + Company-wide wellness week
• Annual personal wellness stipend
• Monthly coffee & conversations team building
• Staff retreat opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employment:

AYA Youth Collective is an equal opportunity employer who strongly desires to build a team that accurately represents the diversity of our target population. We embrace differences in race, color, nationality, religion/culture, gender identity/expression, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, military status, or ability.

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At AYA, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role, but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.