Job Description

Position Title: Outreach Specialist - CAHP Systems

Reports to: Division Director

Category: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Hourly

Location: Friendship Place Welcome Center; Outreach Service Areas

Hours: Flexible schedule (Monday-Friday), between 7am and 8 pm. Some evenings, holidays, and weekends may be required to support operations and to respond to emergencies.

Who we are: Friendship Place is a nonprofit organization, serving the Washington, DC region. We empower individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to rebuild their lives with the involvement of the community. Friendship Place offers the most effective model for addressing homelessness, with innovative, customized programs that have positive, demonstrable results and a lasting impact on the community and beyond. Our programs are person-centric and individualized to meet the needs and goals of individuals, families, youth/young adults and Veterans experiencing homelessness. We provide outreach, hospitality, health care, case management, housing, job placement services, and advocacy.

Our Core Values: Friendship Place is a Person-First Organization that promotes transparency and ethical practices among our team and those we serve. All individuals in our organization are expected to perform their job duties in a manner consistent with our core values. This includes the following: Excellence and Innovation; Finding Ways to Say “Yes,”; Caring at the Core; Agents of Change; Support, Empowerment and Development; Building Relationships; and Integrity and Accountability.

Summary: The CAHP Systems Outreach Specialist (CSOS) is a key position in the Welcome Center Division of Friendship Place that provides low-barrier and housing-driven assessment and outreach services to those experiencing homelessness within the District of Columbia. This position will endeavor to ensure that engaged Single Adults and Youth (under age 25) have received assessment through the District’s housing assessment tools (VI-, TAY-, and Full SPDAT), access to basic needs items, and connected with local and regional resources to aid in addressing an end to their experiences with homelessness. The CSOS will provide these services through scheduled outreach rounds of Friendship Place’s outreach territory, by “targeted” appointment-based outreach services, Welcome Center drop-in shifts, and support of two (2) transitional shelters (St. Luke’s and Metro-House). The position will also represent the Welcome Center Division at bi-weekly CAHP Matching Meetings, and provide key updates and information related to policy and/or procedural changes related to the CAHP system.  

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

CAHP Systems Engagement & Outreach Services (60%)

• Serve as WC Division representative for the Coordinated Assessment and Housing Placement (CAHP) System meetings to support and report housing intervention matches and for the evaluation/submission of referrals for Rapid Rehousing Services
• Conduct outreach rounds throughout Friendship Place outreach territory to identify and engage with unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness, and offering connections to basic needs services, behavioral health services, and other community-based services
• Conduct community engagement and education with key stakeholders, service providers, and other agencies currently not completing CAHP Assessments to support best practices and referrals for those in need.
• Engage in targeted outreach with participants experiencing homelessness across the District linked to Friendship Place to help in reducing barriers to housing and to facilitate engagement with matched housing providers 
• Complete weekly HMIS Data for Drop-in and Street Outreach engagements to ensure that data is congruent with necessary CAHP procedures for eligibility and matching of participants
• Responds to WC specific voicemails/ Emails

Welcome Center Drop-In Services (30%)

• Assist in maintaining a peaceful and welcoming environment in the Welcome Center through the delivery of relationally driven and person-centered solution services toward ending homelessness
• Assist individuals with acquiring necessary vital documents (Government ID, Birth Certificate, SS Card, etc.) to support housing and employment accessibility
• Broker referrals and relationships with mental health and substance recovery services for participants. 
• Conduct Coordinated Entry Assessments (VI/TAY/Full SPDAT) for participant’s experiencing homelessness and emergency/transitional shelter referrals
• Distribute basic needs items (Food, Clothing, Water, Hygiene Items) and identified referrals to resources across the community, as identified by participants

Transitional Shelter Support (10%)

• Communicate shelter vacancies to FP Divisions for referrals and support screening requirements and procedures
• Coordinate with National UMC Transitional House Board (THB) to schedule shelter interviews and move-ins upon participant approval
• Meet regularly with referred shelter participants, House Manager, and THB Members to support services aimed at moving toward housing stability

Other General Duties:

• Participate in the planning and development of new projects as they relate to participant services
• Timely completion of all required documentation, case notes, data entry
• Assess safety/well-being of participants and activate emergency services and other necessary supports as needed.
• Connect, collaborate, build, and maintain positive relationships with external agencies that provide services to Friendship Place consumers.
• Actively participate in case meetings, staff meetings, and supervisions.
• Actively participate in trainings and other events offered by Friendship Place and other agencies.
• Assists with volunteers when necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education:

• High School Diploma or Equivalence Required. 
• Bachelor’s degree preferred with concentration in Human Services/Social Sciences field

Qualifications:

• 1 year of experience with community engagement 
• 2 or more years experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health/substance abuse recovery; 
• Must have or be able to obtain a First Aid/CPR/AED certification that includes a hands-on skills testing module. Friendship Place will provide First Aid/CPR/AED training 
• Strong knowledge of human development, person-centered services, and best practices in homeless services (Housing First, Harm Reduction, etc.) 
• Solid decision-making and problem-solving skills (Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; uses sound and accurate judgment; Attention to detail)
• Strong oral communication skills (Ability to speak clearly and convey vital information to diverse audiences, active engagement in meetings)
• Strong written communication skills (Writes clearly, informatively, and with accuracy)
• Excellent Customer Service (Displays kindness and respect and meets service expectations; Upholds client confidentiality)
• Commitment to Growth and Development (Strives to build knowledge, skills, and best practices)
• Attendance/Punctuality (Consistently on time and ensures support coverage, as necessary)
• Teamwork and Collaboration (Balances team and individual responsibilities; gives/receives feedback; upholds confidentiality; pursues objectivity and open dialogue)
• Strong work ethic, including integrity, honesty, professionalism, and accountability for actions and actions. (willingness to get “dirty” and support colleagues in achieving outcomes)
• Commitment to Organizational Practices and Culture (Mission, Core Values, Strategic Planning, and Compliance)
• Experience with Microsoft Programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.), Internet services, and web-based reporting systems.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) a plus

Working Conditions: Office/desk settings, traveling to meet with participants and providers across the service area, and attend meetings/engagements with key stakeholders. Travel time for position responsibilities may consist of up to 25% of time.

Physical and Environmental Requirements: Split time between an office setting and traveling to engagements via car or public transportation. Must be able to sit for extended periods of time with repetitive motion and positions. Must be able to operate a motorized vehicle. Some lifting may be required (up to 20-25lbs). Engagement with walk-in and ongoing participants in low-barrier environments (40%). Exposure to varying temperatures and precipitation when conducting street outreach rounds (heat/sun exposure, wind, rain, cold/snow and ice) (25%).

Background Checks: The selected candidate will be required to pass a criminal history background check, CFSA, NSO, Employment and Education Verification, personal and professional references, TB test, a UDS, and clearance from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Direct & Indirect Reports: None

Specific Requirements: Positions requiring travel must have reliable access to personal transportation to fulfill job duties. The vehicle must meet all legal requirements, including valid registration and current auto insurance. Employees must provide the employer with current copies of their valid driver's license and proof of insurance. They must maintain an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) that meets organizational or insurance carrier standards as a condition of employment. Additionally, employees are required to notify the employer and provide updated documentation within a legally appropriate timeframe if there are any changes to their driver’s license status or insurance coverage.

Compensation: The hourly pay is between $27.94 - $30.53. The starting pay is based on a step system. A candidate’s starting pay determination is made based on meeting the basic position requirements, and current completed education, credentials, and work experience. Please Note: The step system is set and not open to pay negotiation.

Benefits: We offer an excellent benefits package including low-cost health insurance, health reimbursement, flexible spending accounts, employer-paid dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, 403B defined contribution plan matching, employee assistance programs, professional development, employee resource groups, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, and much more!

Interview Process: Phone screening, panel style interview, final interview.

Website: www.friendshipplace.org

Equal Opportunity Statement: We support all qualified individuals within our workforce without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, personal appearance, familial status, family responsibilities, political affiliations, matriculation, credit, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Friend Place is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact human resources at humanresources@friendshipplace.org

How to Apply: Interested applicants should apply via the organizational website. All of our current career openings can be found by visiting www.friendshipplace.org