Description

Full-time, 40 Hours Per Week

Homeless Outreach Coordinators provide outreach to the homeless community, locate and provide information and referrals to assist in addressing homelessness, removing barriers to the homeless population and assisting in acquiring safe, affordable and stable housing: providing access to public benefits, healthcare, educational systems, and community resources and create a supportive network to ensure stabilization and self-sufficiency.                                                   

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

The essential functions of this position require prioritizing and completing all assigned tasks in a timely and efficient manner, adjusting for changing priorities and availability of resources, and demonstrating initiative in identifying additional job-related tasks to be completed when time permits.  These duties are a representative example of position expectations.  Actual duties assigned may vary and change depending on the business needs of the department and the agency.

• Provide outreach services for the homeless population.
• Assess needs of homeless population, refer to community resources. Provide emergency services.
• Provide pathways to securing eligibility and identification of service documents to access housing and other benefits as deemed appropriate through intake and VISPDAT processes.
• Maintain an expanded knowledge of all available UCAN services, eligibility requirements, and providing guidance for appropriate service delivery.
• Conduct services in office and in the field such as coordinated entry, emergency shelter alternatives. As well as mobile outreach and intake throughout Douglas County, providing resources and on hand emergency supplies.
• Provide case management follow-up services to participants enrolled in shelter services; coordinate supportive service with other UCAN programs as well as community partner agencies.
• Establish and maintain rapport with community partners and vendors, attend table events; develop routine of reliable mobile access for homeless population. 
• Establish and maintain necessary files and program records. Track use of support services funds. Assist with program reports as needed. Process all paperwork correctly and in a timely manner.
• Outreach activities may include service delivery outside of normal business hours, including weekends, evenings etc. and as such time management is critical to success.
• Assist and Participate in program related events and projects such as warming and cooling center operations, Point in Time events, Partnering events, community outreach and support etc.
• Believe in the mission of UCAN. Represent UCAN and the Housing and Homeless Services Program in a positive manner in all interactions with partners and the community.
• Provide information and referral to community resources.
• Communicate in a professional, respectful and courteous manner with all employees, clients, the Board of Directors, and others with whom we may work. Contribute to a successful work group and foster a team-oriented culture through positive interactions, active listening, meaningful collaborations, and the constructive exchange of ideas.
• Drive a company vehicle in the performance of duties. Driving will be required for travel to perform outreach activities, and to perform other essential functions as needed.
• Complete designated job tasks, special projects and all other duties as assigned to meet team, department and agency goals while actively demonstrating accountability, high levels of employee engagement, and responsibility for achieving desired outcomes and measurable results.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Qualified candidates for this position will have relevant education and experience necessary to perform the essential functions and meet the minimum performance expectations for this position with or without an accommodation.

• Considerable knowledge of community resources; reasonable knowledge of general office practices and procedures; basic knowledge of general recordkeeping and bookkeeping processes. Knowledge and understanding of the needs of houseless individuals preferred.
• Working with people in crisis; organization and record keeping; data entry; use of computer software to include word processing, database, spreadsheet, and email.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms; maintain confidentiality; make decisions independently in accordance with established policies, and use initiative and judgment in carrying out tasks and responsibilities; establish and maintain records, reports and statistical data; represent program in a variety of settings; maintain confidentiality; remain calm and use good judgment during confrontational or high pressure situations; courteously meet and deal effectively with coworkers, program participants,, community partners and the public. Must follow all safety rules and practices, and perform work in a safe manner.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING    

• One year of experience in human services, shelter services or housing programs. 
• Associates Degree preferred.   An equivalent combination of experience and/or education that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position will be considered in lieu of the outlined requirements.
• At time of appointment, must possess valid driver’s license and provide proof of a satisfactory driving record. Oregon Driver’s license required within 30 days of employment.
• Must pass criminal background check prior to hire and successfully meet all screening standards when required by department or program funding source(s). Disclosure of criminal history does not automatically disqualify an applicant. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

The physical effort typically applied in this job includes:

• Position oneself by bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and reaching as necessary to perform assigned duties.
• Move throughout indoor and outdoor work environments, including navigating uneven terrain, stairs, curbs, and other varying surfaces.
• Lift, carry, push, pull, and transport materials, equipment, or supplies as required.
• Use hands and fingers to handle, manipulate, operate, or position objects, tools, equipment, and technology.
• Remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods as needed.
• Travel between work locations and throughout service areas as required.
• Communicate and exchange information with clients, coworkers, vendors, and members of the public.
• Work in environments where exposure to pets, pet dander, allergens, dust, pollen, fragrances, cleaning products, insects, vegetation, and varying weather and environmental conditions may occur.

The amount of lifting effort typically applied and the percent of time the effort is applied:

• Between 1 & 5 lbs. – 40% to 70%
• Between 5 & 25 lbs. – Less than 15%
• Between 25 & 40 lbs. – Less than 15%
• More than 50 lbs. requires team lifting or the use of lifting equipment

MENTAL OR VISUAL DEMANDS 

• Frequent mental and/or visual attention; the flow of work is either intermittent or the operation involves waiting for a machine or process to complete a cycle with intermittent checking or inspection involved.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position primarily works in outdoor settings involving a variety of conditions, including open spaces, urban development, flat, hilly, and uneven terrain, stairwells and staircases, and other uneven surfaces that may present hazards and/or other dangers that require diligence in observing and heeding site conditions to ensure safe work.  Working outside may also expose employees to bee stings, poison oak, animals and insects.  The work environment is fast-paced, high-pressure and must be performed with an emphasis on quality and working safely while avoiding distractions and interruptions.

The kinds of disagreeable elements the employee would typically be exposed to in the work area include:

• Noise
• Dust
• Dirt
• Heat
• Cold

Description of the physical surroundings or conditions under which the job is typically performed and the extent of exposure to the disagreeable elements noted above:

• The job is often performed under somewhat disagreeable working conditions; exposure to any or all of the above elements is likely, with at least one present to the extent of being disagreeable.

AVAILABILITY AND ATTENDANCE  

Due to the nature and scope of the essential functions, the importance of personal interactions between this position, employees, clients and other members of the public, and the availability of job-related tools, equipment and resources at work, performance of the essential functions requires regular, consistent and on-site attendance while working independently and with others during our normal business hours.

Hours of work are during normal business hours and may require occasional evenings and weekends.

Non-exempt employees may be expected to work varying amounts of overtime during periods of high-volume work or to accomplish special projects.

FLSA STATUS   

Non - Exempt status

Summary

United Community Action Network (UCAN) is a poverty fighting non-profit located in Southern Oregon. Founded in 1969 by low-income community organizers, UCAN now operates programming across multiple departments, delivering programs to equip our neighbors experiencing the symptoms of poverty with resources and opportunities to help them reach their full social, civic, and economic potential. Our dedicated and energetic employees provide essential and supportive services to individuals and families. We take pride in caring for our communities each and every day.

UCAN has a generous Benefit Package including:

• Health, dental and vision insurance,
• Health reimbursement, health savings, and flexible spending accounts,
• Generous leave (PTO),
• Retirement plans,
• Company paid life insurance,
• Company paid long-term disability,
• Employment assistance program. 

UCAN is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate in the terms and conditions of employment against any applicant or current employee on the basis of any status or class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

If you require special assistance at any point during the application or selection process and would like to request an accommodation due to a disability, please e-mail a description of your request to Human Resources:  [email protected]