Lead Outreach Worker - Outreach

Job Summary

The Lead Outreach Worker is a position under the OCC. The worker is responsible for coordinating the activities of the Project HOME outreach team in accordance with OCC policies and procedures, as well as agency standards. Provide supervision to assigned team members and provide oversight and assistance in addressing problems and finding appropriate resolution to those problems within the team. Provide clear, concise, and thoughtful communication to OCC Senior Program Manager and Assistant Program Manager and other team supervisors regarding trends, problems encountered, or special needs that arise on the streets and coordinate with other agencies to solve problems.  The Lead Outreach Worker will conduct regular street outreach with teams and coordinate with businesses and other provider agencies. This position will document their engagements in the required city database systems, as well as Project HOME ETO database.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

  • Serve as the supervisor for Project HOME outreach response workers as assigned.

  • Engage, Assess and Build a rapport with homeless individuals with a focus on vulnerable chronically homeless individuals.

  • Be familiar with spectrum of care and resources available to all homeless individuals.

  • Conduct weekly focus list meetings with case reviews.

  • Provide daily email summaries of significant placements and engagements.

  • Keep staff informed of new placement opportunities, and shelter openings/ closings. 

  • Provide regular staff supervision and training

  • Monitor adherence to all outreach policies and procedures.

  • Coordinate efforts of Project HOME Outreach team to assist chronically homeless individuals.

  • Maintain an awareness of ?hot spots? and coordinate with appropriate agencies to ensure tracking of people at hot spots and the delivery of services as needed. 

  • Participate and coordinate with police as necessary: alter OCC schedules to maximize effectiveness of outreach efforts (early morning hours may be necessary).

  • Coordinate with other outreach teams (VA, PHMC, Hall Mercer, etc.) to partner as needed to benefit specific individuals and situations.

  • Maintain a focus list of at least 25 individuals and update the list monthly.

  • Oversee team data entry including PATH data, response outreach reports and individual contact and placements for PH outreach team. Review and submit all required reports to Senior Program Manager and ensure submission of PATH data for your contacts in the HMIS system.

  • Conduct regular street outreach with PH team to ensure focus list accuracy and identification.

  • Assist team members with coordination at Project HOME sites and other agencies to ensure that their homeless case load individual needs are identified, and the outreach workers outlines a plan to transition participants into appropriate housing solutions.

  • Advocate on behalf of individuals to ensure their needs are being addressed and they have the appropriate levels of support and referrals to services.

  • Utilize required technology to ensure individuals are appropriately tracked in existing systems in a timely manner

  • Act as an outreach liaison by interacting with the public at large including visitors, residents, other staff, and co-workers in a professional and welcoming manner.

  • Ability and intention to establish a base of trust with each participant or community member.

  • Observe confidentiality, privacy, and dignity of each resident.

  • Drive and Maintain OCC vehicles in a safe and clean manner.

  • Maintain and secure all OCC property and devices.

Project HOME offers a competitive compensation package which includes health, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at minimum cost to the employee, company funded life and disability Insurances, paid parental leave, spending accounts, and 401K retirement plan with a 50% matching contribution. Additionally, we offer generous PTO accruals which includes paid sabbatical leave.

Education and Experience Minimum Requirements

Minimum Qualifications 

  • High School diploma or GED

  • Valid Driver's license 

  • Basic computer skills

  • Knowledge of resources available in the housing and homelessness system in Philadelphia

  • Experience in and knowledge of homeless programs and general issues around homelessness; experience with mental health and substance abuse issues

  • Commitment to the mission of Project HOME

Preferred Qualifications
  • Some college preferred

  • Bi-Lingual (Spanish and English) 

  • 2 years of prior supervisory experience 

Physical requirements

  • Requires extensive walking, sitting, talking in unusual times and circumstances such as early morning and late evening on sidewalks, park benches, alleys, subways; during snowstorms and heat waves; supporting intoxicated or disabled individuals; carrying blankets, coolers and other equipment to and from vehicles.

Project HOME provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Project HOME prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type.

Project HOME reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as needed. This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive statement of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor does it constitute a written or implied contract.