Peer Outreach Worker

Good Shepherd Services; New York (NY); On-site; USD 43,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Good Shepherd Services is seeking a Peer Outreach Worker to conduct street outreach and connect homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth with shelter, meals, employment, and health services in NYC. You will work with a team, travel across the five boroughs, and document all engagements.

The role requires 2 years of relevant experience, lived homelessness experience is a plus, and strong communication skills. Evening/weekend availability and a valid driver’s license are essential.

Qualifications

• 2 years' experience working with runaway/homeless youth.
• Lived experience with homelessness or housing insecurity is a plus.
• Ability to establish working relationships with participants needing services.
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Ability to travel by public transportation in NYC.

Responsibilities

• Provide targeted outreach to designated communities in NYC, at least in a team of two.
• Use engagement techniques to build rapport with youth and young adults.
• Screen for basic needs and provide resources/referrals to services.
• Provide crisis intervention and psychoeducation to at-risk youth.
• Maintain documentation of contacts and events.
• Attend staff meetings and be accountable to Program Director.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Relationship building

Driver's license

Microsoft Office

Public transportation savvy

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database systems

Windows operating systems

Job description

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As a member of the SOP, the Peer Outreach Worker must be a driven and creative individual. The Peer outreach worker is responsible for conducting street outreach, providing on the spot referrals, and supporting and providing resources to youth and young adults who are homeless, runaway, and/or at high risk of becoming homeless and in need of case management, immediate shelter, meals, employment, and medical and or mental health services. The ideal candidate must have been a young person who has had similar lived experiences around homelessness and/or housing insecurity as the young people being supported. This credible messenger approach will help ensure a strong connection and level of trust between the young adults and Peer Outreach Worker.

Reports to: Program Director

Locations: NYC/City Wide (Mobile Van) (Positions Based between Harlem & Brooklyn. Must be flexible with Travel)

Hours: 35 hours/Week, Non-Exempt

Salary: 43k-48 Annually Based On relevant experience

Major Duties:

• Provide targeted outreach to designated communities in the 5 Boros of NCY as requested, in no less than a team of two, to identify homeless, runaway and at-risk youth and young adults through street and site-based outreach.
• Use engagement techniques to build a rapport with youth and young adults encountered.
• Provide age-appropriate interaction with youth and young adults encountered and adhere to all agency guidelines and ethics regarding treatment of youth and services.
• Screen for basic needs; provide resources, referrals to service agencies, shelter and drop-in centers.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed. Provide psychoeducation and prevention to homeless, runaway and at-risk youth and young adults on various topics.
• Build network with other street outreach program workers and local drop-in centers.
• Provide assistance in locating safe housing – emergency, transitional and permanent.
• Maintain appropriate and relevant documentation of all contacts, efforts and events.
• Respond to Fair Hearing requests.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Be in constant with Program Director at all times to be accountable for effective use of time and to receive guidance and direction
• Attend all staff meetings timely and attend other internal and external meetings as directed.

Qualifications:

• 2 years' experience in working with the runaway and or homeless youth/young adult population, direct experience with street outreach desirable.
• Lived experience around homelessness, at risk of homelessness or housing insecurity a plus
• Must be able to establish working relationships with participants in need of supportive services.
• Valid Driver's License required.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Ability to use public transportation to travel throughout New York City;
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based and/or youth development perspective
• Computer literate -- Knowledge of computer assessment tools, Data Base systems and Windows operating systems. Proficient in Microsoft Office