Bilingual Homeless Outreach Worker

Company Description: NAMI San Diego & Imperial Counties (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is a nonprofit organization that provides free education, support services, and advocacy to improve the quality of life of everyone affected by mental illnesses.

Primary Responsibilities/Function: The Bilingual Homeless Outreach Worker will provide mobile, street and field-based outreach services in the Central Region of San Diego County. Utilizing an integrated care approach, the Housing Outreach Worker will provide both outreach/engagement services and brief case management interventions to quickly assess and link homeless individuals to the NAMI San Diego & Imperial Counties Clubhouse, where individuals will be offered membership and assistance to accessing services. The Bilingual Homeless Outreach Worker will work as part of the NAMI SD/IC Mobile Navigation Team and other service providers to identify homeless trends and work closely with the community to identify solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct mobile/street outreach to develop a trusted relationship. Build rapport that will assist homeless individuals with addressing barriers to obtain housing, services and appropriate health care needs.

• Link and provide transportation to homeless individuals to the NAMI SD/IC Clubhouse; educate on membership and the International Clubhouse model. Enroll to membership as the homeless individual indicates interest in becoming a member.

• Conduct and complete all necessary documentation to record member progress.

• Meet with active individuals/members to review evaluate, and support completion of their goals.

• Conduct a VI-SPDAT (Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decisions Assistance Tool) on all new members to connect them to the proper intervention and services. Enter results into HMIS in a timely manner.

• Assist members with benefits establishment, obtaining birth certificates, Social Security cards, housing referrals, and health-related assistance.

• Work collaboratively with local law enforcement and services providers to ensure transition from streets into interim housing is collaborative and meets members' and community's needs.

• Ensures and oversees mobile navigation vehicle maintenance to manufacturer warranty and instructions, including taking care of regular oil, gas fill-up and mileage logs.

• As advocates for assigned members, provides case management services and advocacy within the Clubhouse and the community.

• Records and maintains member profile/goal sheets with members within the first 30 days of enrollment. Updates every 6 months or more frequently at member's request. Updates emergency fact sheets annually or as needed.

• Other duties as assigned.

Accountability: Reports to Program Manager.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Prolonged periods of standing and walking.

• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Minimum Requirements, including linguistic and cultural skills, education, experiences, licenses and certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in human resource field and one year of working with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental illness, or substance use disorders; or with vulnerable populations; or equivalent work experience.

• Required experience in homeless outreach.

• Fluency in English, and additional language required in 1 of the other 8 threshold languages: Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Persian, Somali, Spanish, Filipino (Tagalog), or Vietnamese.

• Preferred lived experience in SMI, SUD or housing insecurity of self or direct support to an individual with SMI, SUD or Housing Insecurity.

• Must have a satisfactory driving record.

• Able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.

• Basic knowledge of computer software (Microsoft Office, Word, Excel) and web navigation.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Reliable and consistent attendance.

Due to our work with vulnerable populations and county contractor requirements, applicants will be required to undergo a background check following a contingent offer of employment and must receive satisfactory results prior to a final offer of employment. If you have any questions regarding this requirement, please feel free to reach out to HR@namisd.org.