Position Details

Outreach Worker

Job Summary 

The Outreach Worker is a full-time position under the OCC. The worker is responsible for coordinating engagement and assessment activities of the Project HOME outreach in accordance with OCC policies and procedures, as well as agency standards. Provide support and advocacy to assigned participants and unsheltered members living on the street and provide oversight and assistance in addressing problems and finding appropriate supports and resources to resolve any problems that arise on the streets and assist by coordinating with other agencies and businesses to solve problems. The Outreach Worker will conduct regular street outreach as scheduled 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 

  • Engage, Assess and Build a rapport with homeless individuals with a focus on chronically street homeless individual and be familiar with spectrum of care and resources available to homeless individuals.
  • Conduct regular focus list meetings with case reviews with Team Leader and Admin staff.
  • Provide daily email summaries of significant placements and engagements.
  • Review daily placement opportunities, and shelter openings/closings. 
  • Engage in regular staff supervision, training and team meetings.
  • Adhere to all outreach policies and procedures.
  • Coordinate your efforts within Project HOME Outreach team to ethically 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 and report hot spot data 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.
  • Submit data entry, including PATH data, response outreach reports and individual contact and placements for PH outreach team. Review and submit all required reports to your supervisor and/or Senior Program Manager and ensure submission of PATH data for your contacts in the HMIS system.
  • Conduct regular street outreach activities with PH team to ensure focus list accuracy and adherence to contractual DBH requirements.
  • Assist team members with coordination at Project HOME sites and other agencies to ensure that their homeless case load individual needs are identified and assist the residential staff 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.
The information contained herein is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job. Management may, at its sole discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Project HOME offers a competitive compensation package which includes health, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at minimum cost to our employees, company funded life and disability insurances, paid parental leave, spending accounts, and 401K plan with 100% matching contributions up to 5% of compensation. 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) 
  • Prior supervisory experience 

Physical Requirements

  • Requires extensive walking, sitting, talking in unusual settings and at times in adverse weather conditions
  • Must be able to lift, push and pull up to 50 lbs. 

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.