Position Overview:

This position is a direct service position that serves individuals and families who are

experiencing homelessness throughout the Centerville and Rolling Hills area. These clients are

unsheltered, living on the streets, in places not meant for human habitation, and identified as

frequent users of emergency services such as shelter, or hotel stays. The fundamental goal of

this position is to identify unsheltered people experiencing homelessness through direct street

outreach activities and through community referrals from mental health, hospitals, local law

enforcement and municipalities and other social service agencies. In identifying the highly

vulnerable, the Street Outreach Worker will administer assessment tools, facilitate placement

into emergency housing/shelter, if needed, and connect to social services and permanent

housing.

Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Develop and      maintain a schedule of regular street stops while remaining flexible.
• Initiate the      process of engagement to support additional services, build trust and      rapport by offering emergency assistance such as food, clothing, sleeping      bags, etc.
• Provide street      outreach in targeted areas to respond to public issues of homelessness as      it relates to inappropriate conduct or conduct that may make others within      the community feel uncomfortable
• Utilize      trauma-informed care, person centered and culturally competent principles      in providing services to clients
• This position may      include early morning and/or evenings.
• Complete a      Vulnerability Index Service Prioritization (VI-SPDAT) to determine      vulnerability and acuity of people experiencing homelessness during street      outreach as well as other outreach and referral processes. 
• Assist people      experiencing homelessness with accessing resources and making referrals;      continue to engage with unsheltered people experiencing homelessness until      shelter or permanent housing is obtained. 
• Provide advocacy      for people experiencing homelessness when they encounter barriers. 
• Provide crisis      intervention and problem-solving assistance to clients to assist in      accessing service
• Collaborate with      other agencies in the region to provide team outreach services. 
• Assist in      identifying appropriate housing and completing housing applications. 
• Maintain complete      client records, daily activity logs, mileage logs, and other reports as      directed. 
• Establish and      maintain positive, productive working relationships with mental health      programs, shelter programs, police (and other local officials), and      providers of services and resources to people experiencing homelessness. 
• Attend team      meetings, case conferences, training workshops and community meetings as      needed. 
• Participate and      lead the Point in Time Count. 
• Other tasks as      assigned.

Qualifications:

· 1 year of experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness.

· Associate degree in Human Services or Social work; bachelor’s degree is preferred.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Strong attention      to details, and the ability to manage multiple projects, establish      workload priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in      Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel
• Reliable      transportation, possession of a valid driver’s license, and maintenance of      automobile insurance coverage
• CISS reserves the      right to require a motor vehicle record check with respect to any employee      where driving is an essential function of the position.
• Ability to      establish and maintain professional boundaries and execute confidential      information.
• Ability to work      independently as well as within a team setting. 
• Able to work with      minimum day-to-day supervision.
• HMIS certified      (Ability to obtain HMIS certification within 3 months of hire date.)

Physical requirements and work environment:

• While performing the duties of      this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers,      feel, talk and hear. 
• The employee is frequently      required to sit, stand and walk. 
• Ability to lift up to 40lbs.
• Work will be performed either      in an office environment or in the field. 
• Must be willing to travel as      needed to perform job requirements. 
• Reasonable accommodation may be      made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential      functions of this position.

Benefits:

Full-Time employees have the ability to participate in company health insurance plans, long term disability, short term disability, life insurance, personnel time off and the opportunity to purchase dental, vision and supplemental insurance.

Central Iowa Shelter & Services is an Equal Opportunity employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.