Job Title: Outreach Program Specialist
Location: Bellingham, WA Travel will be required.
Term and Salary: Pay is dependent upon experience ranging from $23-26/per hour DOE. This is a full-time 40 hours per week, non-exempt position.
Reports to: Outreach Department Manager
About Road2Home: Road2Home is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Bellingham, WA. Road2Home provides community support for community members experiencing homelessness. Our goal is to help individuals access services and develop strategies to meet their basic needs while on a path to stable housing. Our Outreach Program provides direct services to those experiencing homelessness. We also train and support volunteers in our community to work collaboratively with our program participants to help them improve their life circumstances.
Job Summary: The Outreach Program Specialist supports individuals experiencing homelessness in our community. This position plays a key role in connecting program participants with resources, advocating for their needs, and helping them navigate services. We are seeking a compassionate, organized, and self-directed professional who values relationship-building, and is committed to serving diverse populations through trauma-informed and harm reduction approaches. The ideal candidate has a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of resources in the community. This position is supervised by the Outreach Department Manager.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide resources to unhoused and at risk clients in whatcom county
- Intake and process applications for the Outreach Program and Gardenview waitlist.
- Provide resources and support to clients and volunteer allies
- Maintain working relationships with current outreach providers.
- Build relationships and maintain a presence in the unhoused community in Whatcom County.
- Assist participants in navigating resources, attending appointments, completing paperwork, applying for, and connecting to various services.
- Process and maintain required documentation, including confidential case notes, client records, and personal data. Must comply with HIPAA to maintain the confidentiality of all data and client interactions in accordance with federal, state, and agency guidelines.
- Assist in coordinating safety and crisis responses for participants when needed.
- Attend community education meetings and events.
- Attend Outreach Department Meetings to coordinate program needs, staff support, and program updates.
- Engage in professional development opportunities.
- Assist with special projects and coverage across program areas.
- Physical demands for this position may include but are not limited to driving, sitting, standing for long periods, and occasionally lifting up to 50lbs.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- BA in Human Services or related field preferred. Other degrees or equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
- One year of related experience.
- Must have knowledge of, and experience with, Trauma-Informed Care and Harm Reduction approaches.
- Must possess basic knowledge of the housing system and support services for vulnerable and unsheltered individuals.
- Ability to read and interpret documents and effectively communicate verbally and in written form with clarity. Must be able to communicate and maintain relationships with clients, colleagues, supervisors, program staff, and community partners.
- Comfortable with public speaking when required.
- Have proficiency in Microsoft Office. Other word processing platforms and basic technology interface knowledge is preferred.
- Must be able to organize themselves, be flexible, responsive, and complete work, sometimes with complex timelines, in a timely manner.
- Must be able to work well in a team and embrace inclusion and diversity amongst colleagues and clients.
- The ideal candidate will be able to work independently, handle stressful situations effectively, understand and be sensitive to various life circumstances of individuals they encounter, including trauma, racism, homelessness, violence and abuse, poverty, and mental and physical health status.
- Must have a valid state-issued driver's license or obtain by start date.
- Must provide a recent driving abstract for the last three years by start date.
- Must be able to pass a Federal background check.
We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every qualification listed. Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds are less likely to apply unless they meet all requirements. If you're excited about this role and believe you could contribute, we'd love to hear from you.
Pay: $23.00 - $26.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
