Outreach Worker

Epworth Children & Family Services; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 35,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

10 paid holidays

Generous PTO

Extended illness leave

Job summary

Epworth Children & Family Services in St. Louis is hiring an Outreach Worker to identify the needs of homeless, runaway, foster, and at-risk youth ages 11-24 and connect them with essential resources and crisis intervention.

The role emphasizes low-barrier, unconditional support to help youth become self-sufficient and thrive in the community. You will complete intakes, conduct assessments, assist with basic needs in the Drop-in Center, and collaborate with partners to provide housing resources

Qualifications

• Experience working with runaway, homeless, and street youth preferred.
• Familiarity with the St. Louis area recommended.
• HS Diploma or GED required; college coursework preferred.

Responsibilities

• Complete intakes and conduct individual assessments with youth.
• Monitor and oversee youth in the Drop-in Center and assist with basic needs.
• Develop knowledge of community resources and connect participants to employment, education, and health resources.
• Transport youth to shelters and housing resources as needed.
• Plan and facilitate Drop-in Center events and monthly activity calendar.
• Collaborate with volunteers and partners to provide resources and supports.
• Maintain records of services and outcomes in ETO and other databases.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Interpersonal skills

Communication with youth

Public speaking

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

60 college hours

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