ROOTS Senior Outreach Specialist

Position Summary

The Reaching Out on the Streets (ROOTS) Program aims to reduce the prevalence of homelessness by addressing the social determinants of health, opening opportunities for personal agency, and intervening in critical moments of crisis to reduce criminal legal interactions, increase access to services, and reduce fatal overdoses.

About the Role

The staffing and organizational plan consists of both site and outreach workers who work citywide to help unhoused and unstably housed people be healthy and safe while homeless through case management, referrals to services, addressment of daily living needs, criminal justice navigation, and follow-up care coordination. Our staff will facilitate non-coercive service connection based on the client’s priorities, using motivational interviewing, unconditional positive regard, assertive engagement, trust, and reciprocity to build relationships and meet client goals.

Responsibilities

• Conducts outreach in the community focusing on individuals living outside or experiencing homelessness.
• Elicits needs through relationship building with clients.
• Advocates for clients who encounter barriers to services.
• Supports client transition from homelessness or housing instability to secure housing.
• Establishes working relationships with shelters, mental health supports, public safety personnel, and external outreach providers.
• Distributes and tracks use of harm reduction and basic needs supplies, including but not limited to hygiene supplies and winter clothing.
• Addresses daily living needs such as bathing, eating, and temporary shelter.
• Responds to “warm handoff” requests from law enforcement personnel.
• Facilitates medical street rounds in partnership with AHN Street Medicine team.
• Aids in obtaining housing readiness documentation such as personal identification, income verification, homelessness verification, and more.
• Provides crisis intervention and risk assessments to individuals living outside.
• Documents service encounters, client information, and outcome tracking in relevant software using proper case management protocols.
• Supports one ROOTS site but supports other sites throughout the City of Pittsburgh as assigned.
• Performs other related tasks and duties as assigned or required.

Requirements

Your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position. You will receive notice of your eligibility status via email.

• Three (3) years of full-time experience in social services, criminal justice, healthcare street outreach, or a related field (less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis).
• A high school diploma or equivalent.
• A bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, direct care, criminal justice, or human development is preferred (see NOTE under General Application Requirements regarding education/training verification).
• Education/training and/or work experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis if the application clearly shows the required number of years to meet the Total Qualifying Requirement for this position based on the sum of work experience and education/training listed above. The Total Qualifying Requirement is three (3) years (see NOTE under General Application Requirements regarding education/training verification).

Qualifications

Civil Service Examinations If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will receive a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s). You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position. Candidates receiving job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) before the date of hire.

Pay

$64,542 per year.

Schedule

N/A