Outreach & Diversion Specialist

Friends-of-the-Famil; Mason City (IA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Friends-of-the-Famil is seeking a dedicated outreach advocate to deliver street outreach, crisis intervention, and housing access support across assigned service areas. The role includes building local partnerships with housing providers and crisis centers to ensure timely access to services.

Responsibilities cover crisis counseling, service assessments, and facilitating housing options while maintaining careful data documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in social work, psychology, related field OR combination of equivalent education and experience.
• Previous experience in 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.

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

Communication

Willingness to travel

Background checks

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Job description

Job Summary
Develop and deliver street outreach, community engagement, and diversion services throughout assigned service
areas. This position is available full-time or part-time.

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

What You Will Do:

• 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 systematic 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.