Outreach Worker

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Outreach Program Manager, the Outreach Worker will be responsible for connecting with youth on the streets to build healthy and strong relationships with these youth in hopes of helping them on their path to self-sufficiency. The Outreach Worker acts as a liaison to inform youth, the community, and businesses about the services offered by Urban Peak to promote the health, safety, and well-being of homeless and runaway youth and to assist them in permanently exiting the street life.

Other duties include coverage of program shifts at the Mothership, outreach on the streets and to Denver area shelters, intensive and basic needs case management, and facilitation of activities. This position will ensure that interactions, interventions and environments at Urban Peak are trauma informed and emphasize the physical and emotional safety of youth and staff.

Large encampments in Denver are becoming more commonplace and present a set of unique challenges. Some of the other duties of this position, in collaboration with other outreach workers from partner agencies, that include case managers, outreach workers, a peer support specialist and street nurses, will also serve as the service providers dedicated to engaging marginalized individuals in these complex environments.

Services provided will include but are not limited to: crises intervention; supplying of basic needs (socks, food, cold weather gear, etc.); facilitation of increased access to the Urban Peak shelter, micro communities, medical respite, medical and behavioral health care and COVID-related health care and shelter; transportation; client advocacy; and general service linkage. This position will also build relationships and collaborate with Denver Police, Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, Parks and Recreation, and other city entities as needed to best engage and serve those living in large encampments.

The Urban Peak Outreach Worker will specialize in connecting with youth under the age of 25 and will work to connect with the youth as Case Managers for longer term case management and support. This position will ensure that interactions and interventions are trauma informed and emphasize the physical and emotional safety of youth and staff.

staff.

• A master’s degree in social work, psychology, or child development AND a minimum of two (2) years’ treatment-oriented or case management experience; OR a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science, human services, or related fields AND three (3) years’ experience working with children/youth; OR 5 years’ full-time (FT) experience with homeless or runaway youth.
• Experience in providing trauma informed care or willingness to adapt this approach is required.
• Experience, competence, sensitivity and ability to connect well and work effectively with the homeless youth community, especially youth who identify as LGBTQ, or are often difficult to engage, mentally ill, addicted to substances or otherwise impaired.
• Skill in oral and written communications.
• Skill in negotiating and mediating, particularly in sensitive situations as well as some skill in crisis intervention and de-escalation.
• Able to communicate effectively with a diverse population.
• Able to make independent judgement and sound decisions using available information while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
• Able to function as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and work with collaborating agencies Lived experience reflective of the youth we serve encouraged but not required.
• Must be computer proficient and possess experience of Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel).
• Understanding of the provision of and commitment to trauma-informed care and…