Position Summary:
The Day/Outreach Worker provides customer services when the day program is open. This individual also does active Outreach within the community. The Day/Outreach Worker seeks out homeless people in Arlington County and provides emergency services and as part of a team. The Day/Outreach Worker will interact with clients, members of the public, security personnel deployed to the center and other service providers.
Key Responsibilities
- Actively seek out and work with homeless persons throughout Arlington County initiating the process of engagement to support additional services.
- Build trust and rapport by offering emergency assistance such as food, clothing, sleeping bags, and shower vouchers.
- As First point of contact for many clients and community members, must maintain a friendly, courteous attitude and have good communications skills, both in person and by telephone.
- Participate in Outreach programs at local churches or other organizations, Homeless Bagged Meal Program, and street homeless calls.
- Participate in planning of community room policies and direct operation of the community room to ensure effective and efficient client service delivery.
- Under the direction of the program Director, ensure effective and efficient client services delivery during walk-in hours, assist clients in accessing available services:
- Inform individuals of all available services offered at the Day/Outreach Program.
- Assist persons in crisis to ensure safety.
- Receive and record donations – (provide donation slips to donors for tax purposes)
- Maintain a daily log of client contacts and services.
- Provide an outreach response to calls from members of the community including religious institutions, citizens, and businesses regarding sightings of homeless individuals to the Assistant Director, Day/ Outreach Programs.
- Ensure safety of clients and staff in fire and other emergencies.
- Ensure clients compliance with agency policy and rules.
- Assist clients within limits in processing issues and problem-solving.
- Check for contraband in facility through general observation, room, or package/purse.
- Conduct periodic inspections of the facility and grounds through periodic rounds and CCTV monitoring to ensure security of facility.
- Enforce periodic fire drills and perform other safety duties as directed to ensure safety of clients, including implementing emergency evacuation protocol.
- Answer telephone and route calls or messages to appropriate staff. Respond to inperson and telephone inquiries from the public.
- Receive, account for, and secure all donations received during the shift, as well as provide donation receipts to donors upon request.
- Provide daily facility oversight for such items as ordering of supplies (in liaison with the Assistant Director, Day/ Outreach Programs).
- Receive deliveries and incoming mail and distribute accordingly.
- Reports needed repairs and pertinent items in relation to the facility that may affect services at Day Program to Facilities Maintenance at ext. 4422 and the Assistant Director, Day/ Outreach Programs.
- Maintain cleanliness of Dinning Area, Lobby, Front desk, and Client Restrooms.
- Perform informal intake assessments to determine individuals’ social and economic needs, noting observations on possible mental health and substance abuse issues through the administration of the VI-SPDAT as well as other engagement tools.
Qualifications and Skills
- Bi-lingual in Spanish and English with the ability to converse proficiently both verbally and in writing Preferred
- Possess patience, persistence, and concern for the welfare and potential rehabilitation ofeach homeless individual.
- Committed to diversity,
- Ability to maintain accurate records and client confidentiality.
- Valid driver’s license.
Experience and Education Requirements
- BSW or similar degree demonstrating education in human service issues or a combination of education and direct work experience.
- Experience working with homeless population or persons and working in multi-cultural settings.
For full description and to apply Career Center | Recruitment