Consumer Advocate, Outreach

Breaking Ground; New York (NY); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Clear Destination Inc. seeks a part-time Consumer Advocate, Outreach to engage individuals experiencing street homelessness and chronic medical conditions. The role involves field outreach, assessments, and connecting clients to housing and health services, working onsite at program sites and in the field.

Qualifications include a high school diploma, 2 years of related experience, and strong communication skills. Lived experience is preferred; bilingual abilities are a plus.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 2 years of related experience.
• Lived experience with homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues preferred.
• Knowledge of local benefit agencies and resources.
• Strong oral and written communication; liaises with stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
• Valid driver’s license (NY/NJ/CT/PA) with good driving record as a condition of employment.
• Bilingual preferred.

Responsibilities

• Engage with identified persons experiencing homelessness in BOROUGH and connect them to services.
• Utilize lived experience to build rapport and develop service connections.
• Conduct required assessments and participate in supervision and training.
• Maintain record keeping in compliance with agency and city/state standards.
• Collaborate with Parks Dept., NYPD, DSNY, MTA and other agencies.
• Accompany clients to appointments and follow up on referrals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication skills

Motivational interviewing

Field outreach

Bilingual

Data entry

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Outlook

Microsoft Teams

Job description

The Consumer Advocate, Outreach, works with people experiencing street homelessness and living with chronic medical conditions in BOROUGH with the objective of engaging individuals to connect them to appropriate social and medical services and, ultimately, to help improve their overall health and wellbeing and secure appropriate housing solutions.

The Consumer Advocate, Outreach, builds a relationship with clients utilizing motivational interviewing to encourage clients to work towards self-identified housing, health, and other goals. The Consumer Advocate spends most of the shift in the field using public transportation and/or on foot conducting street outreach, accompanying clients to appointments, and following up on service referrals. The Consumer Advocate conducts assessments, engages clients in self-directed service planning, and enters all required data into required databases.

This is a part-time position, approximately 15-20 hours per week. This position will work fully onsite at a program site/in the field.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Engage with identified persons currently experiencing homelessness and living with chronic medical conditions in BOROUGH
• Draw on lived experience of homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues to build rapport with clients and develop appropriate service connections
• Conduct required assessments
• Attend clinical supervision and training
• Maintain record keeping in compliance with agency standards as well as those of City and State agencies
• Collaborate with Parks Dept., NYPD, DSNY, MTA, and other agencies
• Accompany clients to appointments and follow up on service referrals
• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or equivalent required
• Minimum 2 years of related experience
• Lived experience with homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues, and willingness to appropriately use lived experience as a tool for building client rapport and developing service connection preferred
• Knowledge of local benefit agencies (e.g., Public Assistance) and familiarity with substance abuse, mental health, immigration, and employment resources
• Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams
• Valid NY, NJ, CT, or PA driver's license with a good driving record, as defined by Breaking Ground, is a condition of employment
• Bilingual preferred