Outreach Worker

JOIN (www.joinpdx.com) is a non-profit social service agency that works to house homeless people who are sleeping on the street in Multnomah County.  The vast majority of our work takes place out on the street in people’s camps and, once housed, in their apartments.  But JOIN also operates a basic service facility in NE Portland where people can take a shower, pick up their mail, and access other basic services.  It is a busy environment - an environment that extends into the office spaces of each employee regardless of job description. Applicants need to be able to build authentic relationships and work effectively with homeless people regardless of their backgrounds, personal histories, and household composition, and be willing and able to engage people on the streets, in their homes, and in our service facility.

Job Title
Outreach Worker

Overview
Provide a consistent demonstration of JOIN’s values and mission in each contact with a homeless person.  Build and nourish mutual relationships, trust and support to promote the strengths and capabilities of homeless people as they work to obtain permanent housing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide direct outreach services to homeless people who are sleeping on the streets of Multnomah County.  Outreach involves going to parks, bridge viaducts, forested areas, and other locations where people camp. Effective outreach often requires working non-traditional hours.  There is a preference for individuals who are able to work some night-time hours each week.
• Initiate and support processes that reduce harm to homeless individuals and promote transition into permanent housing, including by supporting access to needed services, employment, and housing opportunities.
• Emphasize a strength-based approach as JOIN supports homeless individuals in their efforts to move off the street.
• Assist individuals with moving their belongings into and out of camps/apartments.
• Provide and maintain continuing support to promote housing stabilization with new tenants for at least 12 months.  This includes visiting new tenants and building constructive relationships with landlords.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with landlords, police, social service agencies, businesses, and neighborhood organizations.
• Commit up to one day per week as the outreach worker assigned to the basic service center.
• Maintain a narrative of contact with homeless individuals, services provided, and efforts to transition off the street and retain housing.
• Maintain timely and accurate records on services provided. This position will support at least ten households receiving Shelter Plus Care rental vouchers each year.
• Work effectively with a diverse team of JOIN street outreach and retention workers
• Participate in team building staff meetings and organizational functions.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Experience working with homeless individuals and/or families; outreach and local Portland social service knowledge is a plus.
• Experience working collaboratively with landlords and the police a plus.
• Demonstrated success building relationships and collaborative efforts with individuals and communities of diverse ethnicities, cultures, abilities, faiths, and economic backgrounds.
• Commitment to non-judgmental, non-violent and holistic responses to those in need.
• Must be self-motivated and work well in unstructured, sometimes chaotic, team environment.
• Familiarity with computers and basic software use is required.
• Personal vehicle, valid driver’s license, and insurable driving record required upon hire.
• Ability to routinely move furniture weighing up to 50lbs. into vehicles and apartments is a requirement.
• Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

Pay and Benefits
Salary: Starting at $34,000. Benefits: Medical & dental benefits for employee and all dependents, 403(b), Flex Plan, paid vacation.

JOIN values diversity in its workforce and is an equal opportunity employer.

To Apply: Send a resume and cover letter that clearly states how your background and skills/abilities make you well suited for the position.  Email your application materials to: seoutreach@joinpdx.com.  Because of the volume of applications, please understand that we will not be able to respond to email or phone inquiries, but all applicants will receive responses regarding the status of the application process.  Applications will be reviewed as they arrive and the position will be filled as soon as possible.