Outreach & Diversion Specialist

Friends of the Family; Mason City (IA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Friends of the Family seeks a frontline outreach specialist to develop and deliver street outreach, crisis intervention, and diversion services across the assigned service areas in Iowa. You will conduct street outreach to understand the homeless population, establish partnerships with housing providers and crisis centers, and facilitate access to housing programs while documenting outcomes and tracking data.

Travel within the state may be necessary.

Qualifications

• Ability to organize, prioritize and plan work to meet deadlines.
• Confidentiality is maintained for all served individuals.
• Bachelor Degree in social work, psychology or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in victim services, crisis intervention, housing programming, or case management preferred.

Responsibilities

• Deliver progressive engagement services to participants in the identified service area.
• Conduct street outreach in assigned service areas to best understand homeless population and provide intervention.
• Develop and maintain local partnerships with housing service providers, crisis centers, hospitals, and other programs to assist in quick access to these services.
• Coordinate diversion efforts in assigned service area.
• Apply knowledge of landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities to educate participants of their rights and responsibilities.
• Provide service assessment, crisis counseling, and access to housing programs to callers on our crisis line.
• Support the efforts of all programs / services in navigating housing options and resources for those affected by homelessness.
• Comply with data tracking & documentation requirements.
• Represent FOF at community and program development meetings as assigned.
• Conduct follow-up with clients we serve who are currently living on the streets to continuously provide resources.

Skills

Organization & Prioritization

Confidentiality

Crisis Intervention

Communication Skills

Advocacy & Outreach

Education

Bachelor Degree in social work, psychology or related field

Job description

Job Summary

Develop and deliver street outreach, community engagement, and diversion services throughout assigned service areas.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Street Outreach | Crisis Intervention | Community Collaborations | Assessment of Service Needs Data & Documentation

• Deliver progressive engagement services to participants in the identified service area.
• Conduct street outreach in assigned service areas to best understand homeless population and provide intervention.
• Develop and maintain local partnerships with housing service providers, crisis centers, hospitals, and other programs to assist in quick access to these services.
• Coordinate diversion efforts in assigned service area.
• Apply knowledge of landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities to educate participants of their rights and responsibilities.
• Provide service assessment, crisis counseling, and access to housing programs to callers on our crisis line.
• Support the efforts of all programs / services in navigating housing options and resources for those affected by homelessness.
• Comply with data tracking & documentation requirements.
• Represent FOF at community and program development meetings as assigned.
• Conduct follow-up with clients we serve who are currently living on the streets to continuously provide resources.

How You Will Succeed

• People First- When you exhibit people first, you show genuine care/concern for the well-being and success of others and act accordingly to support/uplift them.
• Discover & Do- When you exhibit discover and do, you take action to solve problems, improve functionality and make things happen.
• Equity and Inclusion- When you exhibit equity and inclusion you foster an environment where all people feel welcome, valued and that they can contribute their unique talents and experiences.
• Grit - When you exhibit grit you work to achieve excellence and continuously improve, even in the face of challenges and adversity.
• Understand, align with and practice under the following philosophies/models: Housing First Model, Trauma-Informed Care, Client-Centered Approach, Harm Reduction, and Low-Barrier Shelter.
• Believe in our 10-year vision: Everyone has a home.
• Believe in our mission: We are ending homelessness by leading with the Housing First approach, driving systemic change through strong community partnerships, and providing individualized support that prioritizes client choice.
• Understand the 6 components of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS).

Job Qualification and Competencies

• Must demonstrate ability to organize, prioritize and plan work to meet deadlines.
• Ensure confidentiality is in place for all people FOF serves.
• Bachelor Degree in social work, psychology, related field OR combination of equivalent education and experience.
• Previous experience in the following preferred: victim services, crisis intervention, housing programming, and/or case management.
• Ability to travel throughout the FOF service area to provide in-person advocacy services and to other locations within the state as necessary for training purposes.
• Ability to pass state, federal, and child abuse background checks.