Peer Outreach Worker

About the role

The Peer Outreach Worker is a driven and creative individual responsible for conducting street outreach, providing on-the-spot referrals, and supporting youth and young adults who are homeless, runaway, and/or at high risk of becoming homeless. The ideal candidate must have lived experience with homelessness and/or housing insecurity, enabling a credible messenger approach to build trust and connection with the young people being supported.

Reports to: Program Director
Locations: NYC/City Wide (Mobile Van) – positions based between Harlem & Brooklyn. Must be flexible with travel.

Responsibilities

• Provide targeted outreach in teams of two or more across the five boroughs of NYC 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 encountered.
• Provide age-appropriate interaction while adhering to agency guidelines and ethics regarding youth treatment and services.
• Screen for basic needs; provide resources, referrals to service agencies, shelter, and drop-in centers.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed.
• Deliver psychoeducation and prevention on various topics to homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth and young adults.
• Build networks with other street outreach program workers and local drop-in centers.
• Assist 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.
• Maintain constant communication with the Program Director for accountability and guidance.
• Attend all staff meetings and other internal/external meetings as directed.
• Work evenings and weekends as required.

Requirements

• High School diploma required.
• 2 years’ experience working with runaway and/or homeless youth/young adult population; direct street outreach experience desirable.
• Lived experience with homelessness, at-risk of homelessness, or housing insecurity (preferred).
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Must be able to establish working relationships with participants in need of supportive services.
• Valid Driver’s License required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• 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.

Pay

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

Schedule

35 hours per week, non-exempt.