Bi-Lingual Spanish Speaking Street Outreach Case Manager

Bi-Lingual Spanish Speaking Street Outreach Case Manager - East County

April 2024

Position closes May 17, 2024

We ask that you answer the 3 questions on the application to be considered for the position.

JOIN (joinpdx.org) is a non-profit organization that exists to support the efforts of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to transition off the streets and into permanent housing. We are inspired by the vision of a community where everyone has a place to call home.

JOIN has an organizational commitment to equity and inclusion, and to ensure that programs and staff culture are equitable in both access, experience, and outcomes regardless of race, ethnicity, faith, culture, language, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship or immigration status, sexual orientation or family status. 

JOIN is committed to pursuing effective strategies and devoting dedicated time and resources at every level of the organization to address disparities based on identity and to apply an equity lens to all decisions, programs, and policies in furthering JOIN’s commitment to become an anti-racist organization, including dismantling white supremacy culture.

Position Overview

Provide a consistent demonstration of JOIN’s values and mission in each contact with people experiencing homelessness. Conduct in-person street outreach primarily in Outer East Portland. Build and nourish relationships, trust and support to promote the strengths and capabilities of people as they work to obtain permanent housing.  

Union Represented

Yes

Compensation

$25.00/hour plus a $2.00/hour language differential

Full-time non-exempt position with option for 100% paid employer paid Health Benefits (medical & dental benefits for employee and all dependents), employer paid Long and Short term disability benefit, employer paid $50,000 life insurance, EAP, Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care, unmatched 403(b), holiday pay, 160 hours PTO, 10 paid holidays plus paid winter break shutdown, 8 hours/month paid community involvement opportunity, 1 week paid bereavement leave, paid trauma leave, and an 8 week paid sabbatical after 7 years of employment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide in-person, direct outreach services to people who are sleeping on the streets of East Multnomah County on a weekly basis. Outreach is defined as going to parks, bridge viaducts, forested areas, and other locations where people camp and providing information about resources and offering vital life-saving gear. Effective outreach often requires working non-traditional hours, including some evenings and weekends.
• Participate in cold weather advisory and severe weather outreach as needed.

• Initiate and support processes that reduce harm to people experiencing homelessness. Promote transition into permanent housing, including supporting access to needed services, medical resources, employment, and housing opportunities.
• Emphasize a strength-based approach that supports individuals in their efforts to move off the street.
• Establish and maintain a caseload comprised of individuals, couples, or families.  
• Assist individuals with moving their belongings into and out of camps/apartments.
• Provide and maintain continuing support in collaboration with JOIN’s Retention Team to promote housing stabilization with new tenants for at least 12 months.  This includes visiting new tenants and building constructive relationships with landlords.
• Complete all documentation in a timely manner.
• Communicate with community partners, the Outreach Team, Coordinator, Manager, and other colleagues as needed, on a frequent basis. Stay current on email and phone correspondence on a regular basis. 
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with landlords, police, social service agencies, businesses, and neighborhood organizations. Help our folks navigate various systems that help them achieve their self-identified goals.

• Commit to an in-person engagement at least 2-3 days per month as the outreach worker at JOIN’s Day Space. Conduct outreach 1-3 times per week, as needed. 
• Maintain a timely and accurate narrative of contact with individuals using provided tools experiencing homelessness, services provided, and efforts to transition off the street and retain housing. 
• Work effectively with a diverse team of JOIN workers
• Maintain and develop collaborative, responsive relationships with other JOIN teams. 
• Engage in JOIN’s equity and anti-racist work agency wide, including program-specific, and at the individual level.
• Apply an equity lens to work with staff, service users, volunteers, donors, and community partners.

Core Competencies: Education, Experience, Qualities, or Specialized Training

• Fluency in speaking, reading and writing Spanish
• 1-2 years of Housing Case Management experience preferred;  personal and/or professional experience working with individuals and/or families experiencing homelessness.
• Ability to work and problem-solve effectively with a diverse array of system participants, including families experiencing homelessness, housing placement workers, agency managers/directors, and funders.
• Commitment to non-violence and holistic responses.
• Must be self-motivated and have demonstrated ability to work well in an unstructured, team environment.
• Ability to work with or learn computer data entry programs and familiarity with Google Suite software.
• Demonstrated respect for the value of diversity and equity; an ability to work with people from all backgrounds in an inclusive and meaningful way. Experience providing culturally specific services is preferred.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of services provided.
• Must own or have access to a personal vehicle for daily use on the job.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record upon hire.
• Must be able to work occasionally in the evenings and on weekends

Physical Requirements

• Frequently: ability to interact and communicate with participants, staff, and JOIN community.
• Frequently: extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, or operating a motor vehicle.
• Regularly: sit, perform desk-based computer tasks; use fine manipulation and grasp; use a telephone/radio; write by hand; sort and file paperwork.
• Regularly: stand, kneel/crawl; twist; lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 50 pounds.

Equal Opportunity Employer

JOIN values the strengths that a diverse workforce offers and is committed to honoring the dignity of every individual. 

JOIN has an organizational commitment to equity and inclusion, and to ensure that programs and staff culture are equitable in both access, experience, and outcomes regardless of race, ethnicity, faith, culture, language, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship or immigration status, sexual orientation or family status

On behalf of the board, staff, and people we serve at JOIN, thank you for your interest in supporting our mission.