Community Outreach Worker Pacific House Inc. - 4.3 Stamford, CT Job Details Full-time $48,000 - $50,000 a year 1 day ago Benefits 403(b) matching Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Professional development assistance Life insurance Referral program Qualifications Driver's License Bachelor's degree Organizational skills Human Services Social Work Full Job Description Position Summary The Outreach Worker provides relationship-based street outreach, engagement, assessment, case management, and housing-focused services to individuals and families experiencing unsheltered homelessness or housing instability in Stamford, including within the Stamford Downtown Special Services District. The position builds trust with people who may not be connected to existing service systems and supports access to coordinated entry, emergency shelter, housing resources, healthcare, behavioral health services, public benefits, employment, and other community resources. The Outreach Worker maintains a consistent community presence, responds to referrals, develops individualized service plans, documents services and outcomes, and collaborates with the Fairfield County Coordinated Access Network and community providers. Work must align with Pacific House policies, applicable grant requirements, Connecticut Statewide Outreach Standards, and established trauma-informed, harm-reduction, housing-focused, and person-centered practices. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Conduct frequent, scheduled street canvassing, outreach, and engagement in public spaces, encampments, Downtown Stamford, and other locations where people experiencing unsheltered homelessness may be present. Conduct Stamford Downtown walking tours consistent with the current agreement and supervisor-approved outreach schedule; maintain flexibility for early-morning, evening, and weekend coverage based on program needs. Identify and build rapport with individuals and families who are unsheltered, at risk of homelessness, underserved, experiencing mental-health or substance-use challenges, or disconnected from available services. Respond professionally to referrals from Stamford Downtown staff and Ambassadors, first responders, hospitals, businesses, residents, Pacific House staff, and other community partners. Assess immediate safety, basic needs, housing status, strengths, barriers, service needs, and connection to existing providers. Provide crisis response and safety planning within the employee's training, assigned role, and agency protocols, and promptly escalate emergencies. Provide basic-needs items as available and offer information, referrals, warm handoffs, service linkages, and advocacy for shelter, housing, healthcare, behavioral health and substance-use treatment, SOAR and other public benefits, employment, legal services, and community support. Support individuals in accessing 211 and the Coordinated Access Network, completing required assessments, and connecting with an assigned navigator or other appropriate provider. Complete required housing-needs assessments, Homeless Verification forms, Disabling Condition Verification forms, and individualized housing service, sustainability, and safety plans, as applicable. Maintain an active caseload consistent with grant requirements, currently anticipated to be approximately 16-20 enrolled participants, subject to supervisor assignment and program needs. Provide consistent follow-up from initial contact through engagement, enrollment, referral, shelter entry, housing placement, discharge, or coordinated transfer to another provider; support appropriate service connections following housing placement. Coordinate with CAN staff and advocate for appropriate housing resources, subsidies, benefits, and supportive services on behalf of eligible participants. Participate in coordinated outreach, case conferencing, CAN and Community Care Team coordination, locally approved homelessness-response activities, DMHAS outreach meetings, supervision, caseload reviews, training, and other required meetings. Collaborate with lead agencies, the Local Mental Health Authority, healthcare and clinical providers, first responders, and community partners while maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries. Use approved assessments, forms, policies, and procedures and assist with funder or program monitoring preparation and visits as requested. Perform other related duties consistent with the position, employee training, program requirements, and organizational needs. Documentation Data Quality and Reporting Maintain accurate records of individuals contacted, engagement attempts, assessments, enrollments, services, referrals, case notes, Current Living Situation assessments, discharges, outcomes, vital documents, and required verifications. Enter or upload required service data and documents into HMIS and other approved systems within two working days of the contact, assessment, or service delivery. Maintain complete and accurate data; promptly address missing information and correct issues identified through supervision, monitoring, or data-quality review. Track Stamford Downtown outreach activities and outcomes, including interactions, 211 or CAN connections, referrals, program enrollments, and shelter or housing placements. Provide timely information for required reports and contribute to program goals while accurately documenting participant choice, service availability, unsuccessful engagement attempts, and barriers outside the employee's control. Education Experience and Qualifications Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, psychology, public health, or a related field required. At least one year of experience in street outreach, case management, behavioral health, housing, homelessness services, crisis response, or related community-based work preferred. Experience working respectfully with people affected by homelessness, trauma, mental-health conditions, substance use, poverty, incarceration, disabilities, or other barriers to stability preferred; relevant lived expertise is valued. Valid driver's license, acceptable driving record, and reliable transportation for community-based work required, subject to Pacific House policies. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn and use HMIS and other electronic systems. HMIS experience is preferred, and required training must be completed after hire. Bilingual ability is preferred but not required. Skills and Competencies Strong engagement, relationship-building, written and verbal communication, advocacy, problem-solving, conflict-resolution, and de-escalation skills. Ability to apply trauma-informed, harm-reduction, housing-focused, culturally responsive, and person-centered practices. Sound judgment, initiative, dependability, confidentiality, ethical conduct, and appropriate professional boundaries. Ability to work independently in community settings, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, manage an assigned caseload, and meet firm documentation deadlines. Ability to respond calmly to changing conditions and elevate safety, service, documentation, or compliance concerns promptly to the supervisor. Working Conditions and Physical Requirements Regular work outdoors and in community settings in varying weather, lighting, noise, traffic, and environmental conditions; regular travel between outreach locations and partner sites. Regular walking, standing, and carrying program materials; ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation. Potential contact with individuals experiencing medical, behavioral-health, substance-use, or other crises. The employee must follow agency safety and escalation protocols and must not enter situations presenting an unreasonable safety risk. Periodic office-based work for documentation, supervision, meetings, and training.

Pay:

$48,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

403(b) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Referral program Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person