Outreach & Diversion Specialist

The Outreach & Diversion Specialist is a self-motivated individual who is a creative problem solver and advocate on our Outreach and Diversion Team. The Outreach & Diversion Specialist is responsible for working with families living unsheltered in King County. The Specialist’s role is to support families on their journey towards an identified housing solution. These outcomes may include relocation, shelter referrals, permanent supportive housing, or transitional and permanent housing.

Valuing diversity and championing equity are core values at Mary’s Place. This position requires critical thinking and analysis through a race equity lens, as well as demonstration of compassion, understanding and empathy while working with diverse staff, clients and community partners in a multi-racial and multi-cultural environment.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position with a weekday, daytime schedule. Occasional evening, weekend, and holiday hours may be required. This is a partly mobile position with work based at a Mary’s Place location. Compensation for this position ranges between $27.00 to $28.00/hourly.

This position reports to the Outreach Manager and does not supervise other staff.

Key Responsibilities

· Work individually with clients to identify realistic housing goals, address barriers to housing, and create housing plans

· Complete housing assessments with clients to gather necessary information for data and housing purposes

· Record data using AGENCY (Mary’s Place internal database) and the Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS). This may include tracking client financial assistance in both databases

· Make case notes in a timely manner along with keeping all case notes and client information confidential

· Act as an advocate and liaison between clients, support services, landlords, and involved community agencies; including, maintaining ongoing communication with other providers as needed

· Ability to be mobile for meeting attendance, housing assessments, community partnerships, and outreach to people experiencing homelessness

· Work in partnership with the outreach continuum and community providers

· Communicate effectively and professionally with landlords

· Process financial requests accurately and with necessary documentation in a timely manner

· Ability to work with clients who may have substance use disorders, untreated mental health, and significant trauma with a compassionate and trauma informed approach

· Ability to network with other service providers in a professional manner

· Coordinate Resource Room services at the Allen Family Center and work on site at the Allen Family Center regularly when not meeting clients in the community.

· Input on referral spreadsheet clients’ request of support from the Mary’s Place portal.

· Perform duties as assigned

Skills/Qualifications Required

· Bachelor’s degree in social services or related field; or equivalent experience working in shelter, social services, or case management

· Experience working in a shelter setting or with homeless population strongly desired

· Experience working in a hospital/clinic environment

· Basic knowledge of Housing First Principles

· Ability to work with clients who may have substance use disorders, untreated mental health, and significant trauma with a compassionate and trauma informed approach; basic understanding of Harm Reduction and Trauma Informed Care is strongly desired

· Familiarity with services and resources in the community that assist single women experiencing homelessness

· Proven ability to form positive relationships with guests, vendors, volunteers, and donors

· Exceptional time management and organizational skills

· Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Outlook; able to learn new software/database systems quickly

· Ability to work both independently as well as in a collaborative, team-oriented organization

· Demonstrated creative problem solving, setting healthy professional boundaries, conflict mediation, and crisis management skills

· Demonstrated ability to understand funder requirements and the importance of accurate and timely data collection/entry

· Highly motivated, resourceful,…