Outreach Worker

Epworth Children & Family Services, Inc.; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, LifeInsurance

401(k) with employer match

10 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday

Generous PTO

Extended illness leave

Job summary

Epworth Children & Family Services, Inc. in Missouri seeks an Outreach Worker to identify the needs of homeless, runaway, foster, and at-risk youth ages 11-24 and connect them with resources and crisis intervention. The role includes linking youth to housing and services to help them thrive.

This full-time position emphasizes low-barrier, unconditional support, enabling youth to access safe housing and navigate their communities with confidence.

Qualifications

• Experience working with runaway, homeless, and street youth preferred.
• Familiarity with the St. Louis area recommended.
• HS Diploma or GED
• 60+ hours of college coursework in social sciences or equivalent preferred.
• Class E license (or obtain within 30 days)
• Valid auto insurance
• Must be 21 years or older.

Responsibilities

• Complete intakes and conduct individual assessments with street-outreach youth.
• Monitor Drop-in Center youth; assist with laundry, meals, showers, and basic needs.
• Connect participants to employment, education, medical, mental health, and housing resources.
• Plan and facilitate monthly youth activities in the Drop-in Center.
• Collaborate with volunteers and partners; deliver community presentations.
• Conduct street outreach shifts to identify where youth congregate.
• Maintain accurate records in ETO and other databases in a timely manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication with youth

Crisis intervention

Record keeping

Computer skills

Team collaboration

Education

HS Diploma or GED

60 hours college coursework in social sciences

Tools

ETO database

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Job description

Job Title: Outreach Worker

Pay Rate : $17 per hour

Summary

Position is for 1 Full-time. As an Outreach Worker, you will have the opportunity to identify the needs of homeless, runaway, foster, and at-risk youth ages 11-24 and connect them with resources, crisis intervention, referral information, and tangible goods to provide for their basic needs. Services and support provided as an Outreach Worker enable vulnerable youth to become self-sufficient, providing them with low-barrier, unconditional support that meets basic needs, links them to safe housing, supportive services, and increases their ability to navigate their community and thrive.

Your Impact and Key Responsibilities

• Complete intakes and conduct individual assessments with youth who access street outreach services. Monitor and oversee youth in the Drop-in Center, assisting them with laundry, food preparation, accessing shower facilities and basic needs supplies.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of community resources and connect participants to appropriate employment opportunities, education, medical, mental health, and basic needs. Connect and transport youth to shelter, housing resources and other appropriate resources as needed.
• Plan and facilitate events for youth in the Drop-in Center, assisting with the development of a monthly activity calendar.
• Collaborate with volunteers and community partners to provide resources and supports to youth who access services. Deliver presentations in the community.
• Conduct shifts of street outreach, identifying areas where homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth congregate.
• Maintain accurate records of services and outcome measures of participants' data through Effort to Outcomes (ETO) and other required database systems in a timely manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Preferred Experience

Qualifications:

Essential:

• Experience working with runaway, homeless, and street youth and/or youth who have emotional and behavioral issues is preferred.
• Familiarity with the St. Louis area, streets, and neighborhoods is highly recommended.
• HS Diploma or GED
• Completion of at least 60 hours of college training with major coursework in social sciences or equivalent is preferred.
• Class E license (or must obtain within 30 days of hire)
• Valid auto insurance
• Must be 21 years of age or older.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Essential:

• Ability to effectively speak to youth living on the street, agency staff, and groups within the community.
• The physical requirements of this job include sitting, standing, walking, and climbing stairs on a regular basis, lifting up to 25lbs, pulling and/or pushing on occasion.
• Thorough knowledge of working with at-risk older youth population, dealing with crisis intervention, resource sharing, and client needs.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize strength-based, therapeutic crisis intervention methods with adolescents.
• Ability to read, interpret, and implement agency and program documents.
• Interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with colleagues, community partners, families, etc.
• Computer skills: Microsoft Word and Outlook, and ETO database software.
• Adhere to agency rules, policies, and procedures including attendance, program/department specific procedures, workplace safety, code of conduct, social media, training requirements, and confidentiality.

Benefits

• Eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, & Disability on date of hire
• 401(k) with employer match
• 10 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO on date of hire, additional hours after 90 days
• Extended illness leave

Equal Employment Opportunity

Epworth is an EEO/AA employer. Consistent with this policy, Epworth embraces diversity and welcomes colleagues and applicants of all backgrounds. Our goal is to empower every day and build a community that is inclusive, drawing upon the strengths of the diversity of our colleagues to exceed the expectations of our clients.

About Epworth

Founded in 1864, Epworth is a multiservice agency that seeks to empower youth who have experienced trauma to realize their unique potential by meeting essential needs, cultivating resiliency, and building community. Thousands of youth and families turn to Epworth each year for a full range of services including: therapeutic foster care and case management; residential and intensive treatment; individual/family therapy and comprehensive psychological testing; emergency shelter and longer-term housing services; life skills and vocational training; as well as crisis care and outreach through the Drop‑In Center, food pantry, and 24‑hour crisis help‑line. Epworth is headquartered at 110 N. Elm Ave. in Webster Groves, Missouri and has locations in Normandy and South St. Louis City.

Our Mission

Empowering youth to realize their unique potential by meeting essential needs, cultivating resiliency, and building community.

Our Vision

A world in which every youth experiences life in all its fullness.

Our Values

Respect: We recognize the inherent worth and promote the well-being of every client and colleague.

Excellence : We offer evidence-based, high-quality programming and provide exceptional care and service.

Community: We cultivate a sense of belonging and solidarity among colleagues and advocate for racial equality and social justice throughout our communities.