BrigAIDe Community Outreach Navigator - $41000

Since 1972, Metropolitan Ministries has been providing life-changing solutions for those who are homeless and at risk of becoming homeless in Tampa Bay. We are a grassroots, donor, and volunteer-fueled community nonprofit serving families in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, and Hernando counties with compassion, practical help, and a willingness to make a huge difference.

About the role

The BrigAIDe Community Outreach Navigator works within Metropolitan Ministries' Outreach Team to build relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness, providing services, support, guidance, and assistance by connecting them with resources and linkages to housing.

Responsibilities

• Provide services to reduce barriers to housing, identify housing resources, and reduce the time vulnerable clients remain homeless.
• Offer wraparound services in-person, telephonically, virtually, and at mobile sites.
• Assist clients experiencing homelessness with accessing resources and making referrals; engage with unsheltered individuals until shelter or permanent housing is obtained.
• Enroll eligible clients in the supportive housing program known as Coordinated Entry (CE).
• Maintain an ongoing caseload of Coordinated Entry clients, ensuring all required documents are uploaded into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), completing assessments and updates.
• Maintain client records, daily activity logs, mileage logs, and other reports as directed.
• Actively participate in Coordinated Entry meetings to identify barriers related to the process or individuals.
• Collaborate with other homeless service providers and community resources to facilitate access to Continuum of Care services, including:
  • Basic needs (food, clothing, hygiene, and shelter information)
  • Housing assistance referrals
  • Substance abuse education and treatment referrals
  • Legal assistance referrals
  • Health information referrals
  • SSI/SSDI Outreach Access & Recovery (SOAR)
  • MyAccess benefits and more
• Develop relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness through frequent outreach visits to known encampments or other locations where they congregate.
• Research community resources that benefit individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Respond to incoming calls on the BrigAIDe Outreach phone lines and administer services telephonically.
• Input client services into HMIS daily.
• Develop client goals and monitor individual progress through case management notes.
• Provide one-on-one case management sessions for identified clients monthly or as needed based on needs and service plan.
• Encourage and support client participation in activities and events that increase self-sufficiency.
• Ensure all case records (referrals and resources offered) are current by documenting notes in HMIS.
• Advocate for individuals experiencing homelessness when they encounter barriers.
• Drive a van/shuttle in rotation with other team members, conduct daily vehicle inspections, clean the van/shuttle as needed, and maintain all safety conditions.
• Participate in professional development activities and all required agency meetings.
• Meet personal goals and actively contribute to the achievement of team and organizational targets/goals as stated on the KPI and in the annual plan.
• Support the team in assigned tasks, attend all team meetings, and perform other duties as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social services or a related field, and/or an associate's degree with relevant experience working with unhoused individuals, including volunteerism or direct service experience in a social services or outreach capacity.
• Flexibility (position may require occasional weekends and holidays).
• Thorough knowledge of collecting, compiling, and organizing data.
• Knowledge of available community resources.
• Driving is a requirement of this role. Must be at least 22 years of age.
• Candidates with more than three traffic violations, at-fault accidents, or any serious traffic convictions within the past three years will not meet the eligibility requirements to drive under our insurance policy.
• Demonstrate legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English.
• Valid FL driver's license with a good driving record and insured vehicle to transport self and clients when necessary.

Skills

• Heart for ministry.
• Understanding of poverty, high degree of maturity, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work with low socio-economic and diverse populations facing crisis situations in a professional and diplomatic manner.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with clients and staff.
• Ability to deescalate clients on the edge of verbal or physical violence.
• Ability to work as part of a team within a multi-disciplinary framework.
• Computer literacy with knowledge of Microsoft Office and appropriate databases.
• Oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write reports and conduct and participate in meetings.
• Effective communication skills.
• Bilingual in English & Spanish is preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit and stand for prolonged periods of time.
• During non-holiday periods, must be available to work normal and extended business hours.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 35 pounds.
• Hearing and speaking ability which allows for effective oral communication of information.
• Physical, emotional, and spiritual stamina to handle job-related issues and stress.
• Ability to operate a multi-passenger van for transporting self and staff.

Pay

$41,000.00 - $44,000.00 yearly salary.

Benefits

• Group health, vision, and dental coverage at affordable rates, with family coverage available for purchase.
• Preventative care is 100% covered (free) on all plans.
• PTO offered to full-time and part-time employees: 11 days of PTO and 10 paid holidays annually.
• Option to participate in the 401K plan with employer match.
• $15,000 in employee Life Insurance paid for by Metropolitan Ministries.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Option to participate in supplemental group insurance plans at affordable rates.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Training and career development.
• Discounted membership at the YMCA.