Job Abstract

The San Francisco Homeless Outreach Team (SFHOT) works collaboratively in small teams to engage and stabilize individuals experiencing homelessness, to help establish treatment, and to find permanent housing.

An Outreach Specialist Level 2 (Encampment Resolution Team) works as part of an SFHOT collaboration with the Healthy Streets Operations Center (HSOC) encampment resolution efforts, working alongside the San Francisco Fire Department, San Francisco Police Department, Department Public Works, and the Department of Emergency Management, as well as supporting the functions of HOT as a whole. The work schedule is a 10-hour shift, 4 days a week, including a variety of shifts. Schedule is set by management.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct outreach as part of SFHOT’s collaboration with HSOC’s Encampment Resolution Team (ERT) at assigned locations.
• Collaborate with SFPD, SFFD, DPW, DEM, and other City of San Francisco departments at encampment resolutions.
• Post notifications of future encampment resolution locations.
• Apprise clients of what to expect at encampment resolutions.
• Support SFHOT preventing re-encampments at identified locations.
• Act as a point of contact for shelter referrals.
• Support with producing reports which include project information such as client outcomes.
• Engage individuals and assess needs (eg, medical, mental health, substance use, shelter, food access, benefits, and other issues). Follow up with clients to support linkage, as needed.
• Perform wellness checks, assess risk, provide support, and referrals for needed medical services. This may include crisis intervention, engaging emergency medical or mental health systems, or mandated reporting.
• Advocate and collaborate with service providers to facilitate access to care with the goal of stabilization.
• Respond to requests from Heluna Health & HSH Management to help individuals found at-risk in places not meant for human habitation.
• Work collaboratively as part of a dynamic and diverse team, which includes clear communication, flexibility, and humility.
• Work in close collaboration with the DPH Medical Team (eg, Street Medicine, Shelter Health, Behavioral Health) to link people experiencing homelessness to transitional primary care.
• Maintain professional and positive relationships with other service providers, community groups, and the neighborhood.
• Must demonstrate ability to work in any assigned district/special project and work with clients of various backgrounds.
• Must attend scheduled clinical and administrative supervision, to discuss client care, service delivery, and clinical and professional development.
• Use assigned communication devices to appropriately and professionally communicate with team members and other service providers.
• Use web-based technologies to look up information and collateral data relevant to service delivery (eg, One System, Changes, Replicon, Outlook, Shiftboard).
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation according to program requirements.
• Use company provided vehicles to visit clients in an appropriate and professional manner. Maintain a clean driving record.
• Adhere to Heluna Health’s Code of Conduct, as well as established policies and procedures.
• Complete in person and virtual trainings on time and attend all mandatory meetings.
• Must comply with uniform policy while conducting outreach in the field.
• Perform Adult Coordinated Entry Housing Assessments as needed.
• Provide leadership to assigned team or role on outreach services with entry-level outreach staff.
• Work with Training staff to help train new staff by allowing them to shadow your work, explaining tasks, SF resources, and enforcing best practices. This includes charting and documentation.
• Complete training evaluations for new hires.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

TARGET EXPERIENCE: Direct experience working in a professional, volunteer, or other relevant capacity with people experiencing homelessness or individuals with complex medical and/or behavioral health concerns.

All areas of study meet qualifications. The following majors are preferred: Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Counseling, Sociology, Anthropology, Ethnic Studies, Public Policy, Public Health, or a related field.

1. High School diploma or GED plus 3 years or more with TARGET EXPERIENCE, or
2. Specialty Certificate related to the populations served (e.g., Community Health Worker, Medical Assistant, Drug and Alcohol/CADAC, Peer Counselor) and 2 years with TARGET EXPERIENCE; or
3. AA/AS degree, and 1 year or more with TARGET EXPERIENCE; or
4. BA/BS degree from an accredited 4-year College or University, or

(Internal Only) More than 1 year working for SFHOT, while meeting performance, skill, and competency, based on feedback given in supervision and as indicated in the annual performance evaluation. Capacity to perform in multiple roles and responsibilities (eg, ability to function between dispatch, responder, outreach worker, or other assigned roles).

AND

1. Valid California driver's license. Driver must be 21+ with none of the following in the past 3 years: any 2-point convictions; or more than (2) moving violations; or more than (1) moving violation and (1) at-fault or a passenger handling accident.
2. Intermediate level of knowledge of the client population and their complex needs including homelessness, financial instability, medical and psychiatric illnesses, and substance abuse.
3. Ability to work well with diverse staff and clientele including cultural, language, sexual identity, gender, and other diversity considerations within all neighborhoods in San Francisco.
4. Ability to work successfully both independently and cooperatively.
5. Ability to speak, read, and write clearly in English.
6. Intermediate level of competency using the Internet, Outlook email, and Microsoft Word computer applications as well as ability and willingness to learn necessary programs needed for everyday job function.
7. Ability to use computers/internet to look up information and enter relevant notes.
8. CPR and first aid certification within 90 days of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Fluency in other languages.
2. Previous experience or training in street outreach and case management.
3. Knowledge of San Francisco neighborhoods and community resources.
4. Knowledge of the San Francisco Health Provider network.
5. Prior experience with documentation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be in good physical condition and capable of performing job duties requiring frequent use of the entire body including ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, sit, drive for extended periods of time, exit and enter vehicles throughout your work shift.

1. Ability to use a computer, phone or office equipment for extended periods of time.
2. Ability to successfully and efficiently complete tasks in an environment where background noise is present and interruptions may be constant.
3. Must be able to lift a minimum of 35 lbs.
4. With instruction, the ability to assist persons with disabilities and to help transfer a 180 lb person and lift wheel chair in and out of a car or van.

Stand Constantly

Walk Constantly

Sit Frequently

Handling / Fingering Constantly

Reach Outward Occasionally

Reach Above Shoulder Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend Occasionally

Lift / Carry Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

Push/Pull Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

Talk/ Hear Constantly

See Constantly

Taste/ Smell Not Applicable

Not Applicable Not required for essential functions

Occasionally (0 - 2 hrs/day)

Frequently (2 - 5 hrs/day)

Constantly (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Travel outside to various locations and on occasion, general office setting, indoors temperature controlled

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this position. Essential job duties are intended to describe those functions that are primary to the performance of this job. Other job duties include those that are considered secondary to the overall purpose of this position.

This position description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by the supervisor and management.

All qualified applicants will be considered for this position in accordance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

PHFE dba Heluna Health is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer that encourages minorities, women, veterans, and disabled to apply.