Peer Outreach Worker

As a member of the SOP, the Peer Outreach Worker must be a driven and creative individual with lived experience around homelessness and/or housing insecurity, enabling a credible-messenger approach to build trust with young adults.

About the role

This position conducts street outreach, provides on-the-spot referrals, and supports youth and young adults who are homeless, runaway, or at high risk of homelessness. Responsibilities include connecting individuals with case management, shelter, meals, employment, and medical or mental health services.

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: $43,000–$48,000 annually based on relevant experience

Responsibilities

• Conduct targeted outreach in teams of two or more across the five boroughs to identify homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth and young adults through street and site-based outreach.
• Use engagement techniques to build rapport with youth and young adults.
• Provide age-appropriate interaction while adhering to agency guidelines and ethics.
• Screen for basic needs; provide resources, referrals to service agencies, shelters, and drop-in centers.
• Deliver crisis intervention as needed.
• Provide psychoeducation and prevention on various topics to homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth and young adults.
• Build networks with other street outreach workers and local drop-in centers.
• Assist in locating safe housing—emergency, transitional, and permanent.
• Maintain accurate documentation of all contacts, efforts, and events.
• Respond to Fair Hearing requests.
• Stay in constant communication with the Program Director for accountability and guidance.
• Attend all staff meetings and other internal or external meetings as directed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School diploma required.
• Two years’ experience working with runaway and/or homeless youth/young adult population; direct street outreach experience desirable.
• Lived experience around homelessness, risk of homelessness, or housing insecurity.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Ability to establish working relationships with participants in need of supportive services.
• Valid Driver’s License required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Ability to use public transportation to travel throughout New York City.
• Commitment to a strength-based and/or youth development perspective.
• Computer literate—knowledge of database systems, Windows operating systems, and proficiency in Microsoft Office.