Outreach Specialist

Pathways Vermont; South Burlington (VT); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

403(b) plan

Hiring bonus

Job summary

Pathways Vermont seeks an Outreach team member to support Vermonters experiencing homelessness in accessing community resources. You will engage in outreach, build trust, and facilitate coordination with mental health and housing services across Rutland and Chittenden counties.

The role requires 3–5 years of relevant experience, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to travel statewide. This full-time position offers competitive benefits and a $2,000 hiring bonus after the introductory

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or comparable work experience, preferably with homelessness or psychiatric disability.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and travel statewide.
• Proficiency with computers and data systems.

Responsibilities

• Engage in assertive outreach, service coordination, advocacy, and other supports for participants.
• Build rapport with individuals in motels, shelters, and camping areas.
• Facilitate telehealth or in-person meetings to complete mental health and substance use screenings.
• Ensure households are captured in HMIS and data is accurate.
• Make referrals to community resources and assist with housing subsidies and rental unit applications.
• Document services in the electronic health record and related systems.
• Maintain records, compile reports, and complete documentation.
• Participate in Intentional Peer Support and other peer services.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Problem solving

Computer proficiency

Statewide travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience

Job description

The Company: Pathways Vermont provides community-based mental health services and collaborative learning that centers people as the experts of their own lives. We strengthen our communities and the system of care by elevating the voices of lived experience.

Pathways Vermont is committed to a diverse workplace that reflects the communities we serve and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people interested in providing supportive social services to Vermonters including people with military experience, individuals with disabilities, and people of color.

The Role: Opportunity to join a team supporting Vermonters experiencing homelessness to access community resources. Vermont has seen an unprecedented increase in the number of people who are unhoused throughout the state. Pathways’ Outreach team will assist individuals and households who struggle with mental health challenges and/or mental health and substance use challenges to access benefits and services as quickly as possible. Pathways is especially interested in hiring those who have lived experience of homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use, incarceration, poverty or other challenges.

Available Positions: 1

Location : Serving Rutland County ORChittenden County (Vermont)

Schedule : Full-Time (35-40 Hours Weekly)

Responsibilities:

Engage in assertive outreach, service coordination, advocacy, and other supports for program participants

Building rapport and relationships with individuals, meeting people where they are including motels, shelters, and camping areas

Participate in outreach and engagement with individuals experiencing homelessness who have serious mental health

Facilitate telehealth or in-person meetings between team mental health counselor and potential program participants to complete mental health and substance use screening

Ensure all households are captured in the Coordinated Entry system and data is accurate in the local Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS)

Make referrals to appropriate community resources and support enrollment

Collect information about service recipients’ housing needs and preferences and assist in completion of applications for housing subsidies and rental units

Document service provision in electronic health record including screening data, progress notes, incident reports, document collection, institutionalization record, etc.

Maintain written and computerized records, compile reports and complete other documentation requirements

Practice Intentional Peer Support, and other best practices for supporting persons experiencing homelessness

Facilitate client driven referrals and participation in other peer services, wellness activities, community events, programs, etc.

Communicate with potential program participants especially to persons who are literally homeless or experiencing a mental health crisis

Facilitate additional eligibility assessments and meetings as needed for referred service recipients

Collect information about service recipients’ housing needs and preferences

Ensure that the service recipient is connected with team members after intake is completed

Accurately and timely record service recipient, intake, and outreach data in appropriate database

Monitor statewide subsidy programs and manage program participant list

Other duties as assigned

Attendance at the annual All Staff and Programmatic Retreats is an expectation of employment with Pathways Vermont, unless excused by the employee’s manager/HR. Retreats are held on workdays, during normal working hours, and are fully paid.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree or comparable work experience (preferably with persons who have experienced homelessness or have a psychiatric disability) and at least 3-5 years relevant experience

Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment as well as possess strong problem- solving skills, work ethic, and computer proficiency

Must be able to work flexible hours, occasional long days

Valid driver’s license, insurance, and reliable vehicle required

Ability to travel statewide

Excellent verbal and written communication

Commitment to Pathways mission

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

Ability to ascend and descend stairs regularly to attend community meetings and meet with prospective service recipients

Frequent use of personal vehicle and driving throughout the state for meetings

Regular operation of a computer and other office machinery including typing

Frequent talking and listening in the participation of exchanging ideas through spoken word and occasional receipt and giving of detailed information through oral communication

Moderate reading responsibilities

Occasionally lifting and carrying 30 pounds

Occasional exposure to outside environmental conditions for outreach events and meeting with service recipients

Occasional exposure to high levels of noise and persons who are upset, angry or in an extreme state

Occasional reaching, pushing, pulling and lifting of arms to participate in cleaning an organization

Compensation:

100% Full-Time Equivalent, hourly employee

$23-$25/hour

$2000 Hiring Bonus Available

*Hiring Bonus will be paid after successful completion of 60 day introductory period and review with supervisor

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Long Term Disability/Life Insurance

Paid Time Off (accrual of 210 hours per year to start)

9 Paid Holidays Annually

403(b) Retirement Savings Plan

Longevity Recognition Rewards

Access to a wide variety of facilitated trainings including Intentional Peer Support

It is the policy of Pathways Vermont that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, veteran status, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identification, or disability.