Per Diem Guest Liaison/Milieu Specialist (Homeless Services Bureau)

Boston Public Health Commission; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in public health seeks compassionate individuals to join their Homeless Services Bureau. This role focuses on improving the quality of life for Boston's homeless citizens through outreach, case management, and advocacy. You will work closely with clients to provide essential services and support, ensuring their dignity and rights are upheld. With a commitment to trauma-informed care, you will engage with diverse populations, fostering positive relationships and facilitating access to critical resources. If you are passionate about making a difference in your community and have the skills to support vulnerable populations, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• A.D. or BA/BS required, with equivalent experience acceptable.
• Minimum 2 years in community outreach or case management activities.

Responsibilities

• Provide non-judgmental support and resources to individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Ensure safety and address basic needs like food, housing, and transportation.
• Facilitate connections to housing and recovery services.

Skills

Community Outreach

Case Management

Cultural Competence

Good Communication Skills

Teamwork

Bilingual Spanish Fluency

Education

A.D. or BA/BS

LADC or CADC

Tools

PC Skills

Job description

Description

The Mission of the Homeless Services Bureau is to improve the quality of life of Boston's homelessness citizens by providing emergency shelter, social services, and housing searching services. We strive to affirm the dignity and human rights of each and every person that we serve. Homeless Services partners with governmental agencies, private homeless services providers, and homeless advocates to seek solutions to end homelessness. The Homeless Services Bureau is committed to helping individuals with any challenges that may have led to homelessness. We offer a broad range of services and over 600 beds in the City of Boston. We recognize that each homeless individual has his or her own story.

DUTIES

• Serve as part of the service and operation team, meeting individuals "where they are at" and providing non-judgmental, non-coercive services and resources to individuals.
• Provide a safe and supportive environment for those experiencing homelessness, ensuring overall safety of clients and the environment.
• Develop positive professional relationships with clients to facilitate care.
• Provide milieu support; this may include escorting guests from and to intake and returning to shelter.
• Respond to emergencies and crisis situations according to appropriate policy.
• Ensure basic needs are addressed (i.e., food, temporary housing, transportation, clothing, etc.).
• Provide outreach, education, case management, advocacy, referral services to Boston residents with a particular focus on high-risk clients.
• Facilitate linkage to housing team/providers and to other recovery support and substance use-related services, including low-threshold programs.
• May provide consultation, education, training, and support to program staff in their work with participants.
• Safely dispense harm reduction supplies.
• Assist with the general work of the department and operations.
• Work in a cooperative, collegial style with all other organizational personnel.
• Collect and enter data into ETO/HMIS.
• Demonstrate knowledge of trauma-informed care.
• Maintain confidentiality and standards of ethical practice.
• Must work at least 1 shift per week.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

• A.D. or BA/BS required, or equivalent work and/or life experience may substitute. LADC or CADC preferred.
• Knowledge in substance use disorder or harm reduction preferred.
• Minimum 2 years in community outreach/case management activities required.
• Demonstrated cultural competence with diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic groups.
• Knowledge of Boston community social service organizations, the courts, and government agencies required.
• PC skills preferred.
• Ability to work as a team.
• Good communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
• Bilingual Spanish fluency preferred.
• Must hold a valid Driver's License.