Outreach & Diversion Specialist

About the role

The Outreach & Diversion Specialist is a self-motivated individual who is a creative problem solver and advocate on our Outreach and Diversion Team. The Specialist works with families living unsheltered in King County to support them on their journey toward an identified housing solution, which may include relocation, shelter referrals, permanent supportive housing, or transitional and permanent housing. Valuing diversity and championing equity are core values at Mary’s Place. This position requires critical thinking and analysis through a race equity lens, as well as compassion, understanding, and empathy while working with diverse staff, clients, and community partners in a multi-racial and multi-cultural environment.

Responsibilities

• Work individually with clients to identify realistic housing goals, address barriers to housing, and create housing plans
• Complete housing assessments with clients to gather necessary information for data and housing purposes
• Record data using AGENCY (Mary’s Place internal database) and the Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS), including tracking client financial assistance in both databases
• Make case notes in a timely manner while keeping all case notes and client information confidential
• Act as an advocate and liaison between clients, support services, landlords, and involved community agencies; maintain ongoing communication with other providers as needed
• Be mobile for meeting attendance, housing assessments, community partnerships, and outreach to people experiencing homelessness
• Work in partnership with the outreach continuum and community providers
• Communicate effectively and professionally with landlords
• Process financial requests accurately and with necessary documentation in a timely manner
• Work with clients who may have substance use disorders, untreated mental health, and significant trauma using a compassionate and trauma-informed approach
• Network with other service providers in a professional manner
• Coordinate Resource Room services at the Allen Family Center and work on site regularly when not meeting clients in the community
• Input client requests for support from the Mary’s Place portal into the referral spreadsheet

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social services or related field; or equivalent experience working in shelter, social services, or case management
• Experience working in a shelter setting or with homeless population strongly desired
• Experience working in a hospital/clinic environment
• Basic knowledge of Housing First Principles
• Ability to work with clients who may have substance use disorders, untreated mental health, and significant trauma with a compassionate and trauma-informed approach; basic understanding of Harm Reduction and Trauma Informed Care is strongly desired
• Familiarity with services and resources in the community that assist single women experiencing homelessness
• Proven ability to form positive relationships with guests, vendors, volunteers, and donors
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Outlook; able to learn new software/database systems quickly
• Ability to work both independently as well as in a collaborative, team-oriented organization
• Demonstrated creative problem solving, setting healthy professional boundaries, conflict mediation, and crisis management skills
• Demonstrated ability to understand funder requirements and the importance of accurate and timely data collection/entry
• Highly motivated, resourceful, flexible, with a positive attitude and sense of humor, even under pressure
• Willingness and ability to work with people from a variety of racial, cultural, social and economic backgrounds with various lifestyles, sexual orientations, and of all ages and genders
• Attention to detail, interacting with others in-person and through email, using critical thinking skills to strategize, develop and implement plans, create and edit documents, listen and participate verbally at meetings
• Ability to travel throughout King County, with a willingness to work with clients in encampments, Tiny House Villages, hospitals/clinics, and other public spaces
• Valid WA State driver’s license, and access to a personal vehicle to travel around the county (mileage reimbursed) and/or ability to pass driving test and comfort driving a company van
• Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends in response to clients’ needs
• Proficiently speak, read, write, and understand English; proficiency in another language is preferred, especially Amharic, Tigrinya, Lingala, Oromo, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, or Marshallese
• Willing to take a TB test within 30 days of hire

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, type, and reach with hands and arms; and requires the ability to occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry supplies up to 25 pounds. Work takes place in a social services environment where long periods of sitting, working on a computer, walking to various work areas, going up and down stairs, and standing are required. Travel to program sites and meetings outside the office and around the county are necessary. Ability to work in an environment where there may be animals present, including dogs.

Pay

Compensation for this position ranges between $27.00 to $28.00 per hour.

Schedule

This is a full-time, non-exempt position with a weekday, daytime schedule. Occasional evening, weekend, and holiday hours may be required. This is a partly mobile position with work based at a Mary’s Place location.