GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Outreach Worker is responsible for providing street outreach and survival assistance to run away, homeless, and street-identified youth on the island of Oahu. The Outreach Worker works as part of a team within the RYSE Organization. Other responsibilities include referring runaway and homeless youth to resources, youth advocacy, and developing community awareness.

REPORTS TO: Outreach Program Manager

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Street Outreach
· Locating and providing street outreach to runaway and homeless youth who are on the street and living between friends, family members, and willing adults.
· Connect with schools, teen centers, community businesses and other community services where youth frequently are located.
· Making contact and developing rapport with runaway and homeless youth.
· Provide initial screening and assessment services to clients with mental health and/or substance use disorders.
· Make direct referrals to young people with mental health and/or substance used disorders when needed.
· Provide screening services to youth experiencing mental illness and/or substance use disorder.
· Providing out-of-home youth with necessary referrals and information for housing and community resources.
· Provide on the spot assessment and crisis intervention for youth in need.
· Maintaining and interacting in a culturally sensitive, respectful, and professional demeanor.
· Demonstrate high integrity when dealing with a wide array of cultural, restrictions and confidential information.
· Ability to work non-traditional hours (afternoons, evenings, weekends and holidays to appropriately serve youth experiencing homelessness.
· Complete VI-SPDAT assessments and enter data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to ensure youth are eligible for the Youth Coordinated Entry System (CES).

B. Community Outreach
· Presentations to school personnel, police, community business and other community areas where youth are frequently located.
· Maintain a liaison relationship with school, police, health providers, mental health providers, hospitals, substance use treatment centers, churches, and other groups who might provide services or referrals to the RYSE program.
· Attend community meetings with other service providers to share program information and coordinate services.
· Assist with other duties as it relates to at risk and homeless issues facing youth as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

A. Education and Experience
· High School diploma or GED
· Experiences in youth homelessness, child welfare system, foster care and/or juvenile detention
· Familiarity with Oahu geographical regions
B. Required Qualifications
· Ability to maintain regular, consistent attendance
· Employment Eligibility Verification
· Successful completion of background screening
· Ability to obtain CPR/First Aid Training certification
· Ability to drive with a clean recent drivers abstract
· Ability to quickly become familiar with Oahu youth resources
· Those with lived experience strongly encouraged to apply!

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 the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. In the course of performing the job, this position typically spends time sitting, standing, climbing stairs, walking, driving, carrying (50lbs), and lifting (50lbs), bending, stooping. Operating a computer keyboard. Makes and receives telephone calls. Use of general office equipment copier, fax machine and basic office equipment. Subjected to outside environmental conditions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not attentive to personal health and safety for themselves. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the client’s use of alcohol and drugs, and the lack of personal care. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations.
Compensation: $16-$18/hr Depending on Experience

Revised: December 2021