Specialist- PATH Homeless Outreach

Responsibilities

A Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) Homeless Outreach Specialist engages and supports individuals experiencing or at-risk of homelessness who have serious mental illnesses and/or serious mental illness with substance use disorder. The primary goal is to build trust and connect them to housing, mental health treatment, and essential community resources to persons in local emergency shelters. The specialist supports the activities of the PATH Coordinator.

• Conduct outreach in local emergency homeless shelters to engage, and to build trust and rapport with adults/families experiencing literal homelessness or imminent risk of losing housing.
• Assess client needs and provide short-term case management. Refer to long-term case management if needed. Connect individuals to community resources as needed.
• Provide trauma-informed screening to identify severe brain health conditions, mental illnesses, and substance use issues.
• Connect individuals to emergency funds for basic living costs, rent assistance, security deposits, transportation, and utilities.
• Coordinate direct medical and psychiatric care referrals, and secure transportation and medication access for unhoused clients.
• Partner closely with local emergency networks, including emergency housing and domestic shelters, food banks, local community action agency and community non-profits.
• Refer PATH eligible individuals to the Coordinator for enrollment, as applicable.
• Completes all required data tracking and reporting per agency, State and Federal regulations.
• Complete all required agency trainings.
• Comply with all agency and PATH grant policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalency required.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, trauma, severe mental illness and/or severe mental illness and substance abuse.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Strong familiarity with Dubuque County community resources, public safety nets, and housing voucher systems.
• Ability to engage and form trusting relationships, establish boundaries, practice patience, and effectively communicate with diverse individuals.
• Strong assessment, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Compassion, empathy, and cultural sensitivity
• Knowledgeable in trauma-informed care models, harm reduction strategies, and verbal de-escalation methods.
• Access to a reliable and safe personal vehicle (Required)

Licenses/Certifications:

• Mandatory Reporter of Child/Dependent Adult Abuse Certification or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire and every three (3) years thereafter required.
• Valid driver's license and eligible to be an agency driver.

Benefits

Competitive benefits package for full-time employees working 30+ hours a week:

• Health insurance (up to 79% employer paid)
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) with profit sharing and employer match
• Paid time off (accrue up to 80 hours during first year of employment; increases based on tenure with agency)
• 10 paid holidays
• 80 hours sick time
• 2 wellness days
• Staff development and training
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility for federal student loans
• Employer paid CEU's through Relias
• PerkSpot- employee discount program
• Employee assistance program
• Advancement opportunities

About the Organization

Hillcrest is a non-profit organization that assists adults and children in need of help. Every day, Hillcrest builds confidence in hundreds of people and families. We strive to be a leading provider in supporting brain health and wellness. We're a place where compassion is commonplace. Where our passion soars and faith restores.