Outreach Worker

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Youth Outreach Worker is responsible for providing street outreach and survival assistance to youth, ages 14-24, who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurities on the island of O'ahu.  The Youth Outreach Worker works as part of a team within the RYSE Organization with the goal of ensuring episodes of youth homelessness are rare, brief, and non-reoccurring. Other responsibilities include referring youth to housing and supportive services, youth advocacy, and developing community awareness.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Street Outreach

• Locating and providing mobile outreach for youth who are at risk of houselessness, unsheltered or living between friends, family members, and willing adults.
• Providing out-of-home youth with appropriate housing/shelter referrals and linking to community resources.
• Making contact and developing rapport with runaway, houseless, and at-risk of houselessness youth.
• Provide initial screening and assessment services to clients with mental health and/or substance use disorders.
• Complete Homeless Verification Letters, MAP assessments to ensure youth are eligible for the Youth Coordinated Entry System (CES).
• Make direct referrals to young people for mental health and/or substance use disorder treatment as needed.
• Provide assessment, food, hygiene supplies, and crisis intervention for youth in need.
• Maintaining and interacting in a culturally sensitive, respectful, and professional demeanor with youth, staff and community partners.
• Demonstrate high integrity when dealing with a wide array of cultural practices, encampment restrictions, and confidential information.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours (afternoons, evenings, some weekends or holidays) to appropriately serve youth experiencing houselessness.

Community Outreach

• Work with school personnel, teen centers, police, community businesses, and other community areas where youth are frequently located.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with schools, law enforcement, health & mental health providers, hospitals, substance use treatment centers, churches, and other community partners who provide services or referrals to the RYSE program.
• Attend community meetings with OYAB and/or other service providers to share program information and coordinate services. 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 houseless issues facing youth as assigned.
• CIS billing; Assist with entering, updating, and maintaining youth participant records in the Customer Information System (CIS).
• Ensure all client information is accurate, complete, and entered in a timely manner
• Support intake, enrollment, and eligibility verification processes for youth programs, check-ins with youth

 Education and Experience

• High School diploma or GED (Lived experience may be considered in place of or addition to formal education requirements)
• Experience in youth houselessness, child welfare system, foster care and/or juvenile detention is preferred
• Familiarity with O'ahu geographical regions and youth resources..
• 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 active driver’s license and a clean recent driver abstract.
• Those with lived experience are strongly encouraged to apply!

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This position involves engaging with diverse communities, participating in site visits, and attending policy discussions. Reasonable accommodations will be made to ensure accessibility.

While primarily office-based, occasional fieldwork, community meetings, and housing site evaluations may be required. Standard office responsibilities include document preparation, computer use, and phone communication.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

RYSE is committed to equity, inclusion, and social impact. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including members of the LGBTQ+ community and those with lived experiences in housing insecurity.