Peer Outreach Worker (31928) - #1413599

Description

Purpose: (General Description and Summary)

The Peer Outreach Worker provides direct, community-based services to individuals experiencing homelessness in Washington County. This role is built upon a peer-based, person-centered, trauma-informed, and choice-driven approach. The Peer Outreach Worker actively participates in outreach activities, working closely with the Outreach Team to support individuals in accessing housing resources, services, and support by leveraging personal lived experience, this position engages with participants in meaningful ways that enhance their well-being, while fostering community partnerships to increase access to resources. The Peer Outreach Worker promotes a culture of open, honest communication within the team, and works to achieve positive outcomes for participants by developing trust and utilizing a collaborative approach with in-house and community partners.

The position will be based largely in the community and will work closely with Washington County, Community Action, the Shelter network, COC Housing providers and private landlords.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Outreach Services

• Coordinate and implement outreach activities to build connections with unhoused individuals in Washington County.
• Identify underserved and hard-to-reach populations and create outreach strategies to engage these individuals in services.
• Support participants in overcoming barriers to services, such as transportation issues, and help develop strategies to address these barriers.
• Provide immediate support for basic needs, such as clothing and blankets, and identify long-term solutions for housing and other needs.
• Respond to referrals from outreach subcommittees and coordinate the appropriate linkage to services.
• Engage with individuals on the streets or in encampments, meeting them where they are, both literally and figuratively.
  
  

Housing Navigation & Referrals

• Complete or refer individuals to Community Connect Assessments for homeless individuals or those at risk of homelessness.
• Develop relationships with Housing TEAM members and familiarize yourself with housing programs to ensure appropriate referrals are made.
• Assist participants in understanding and navigating subsidized housing waitlists and access to resources of their choice.
  
  

Case Management

• Assist participants in identifying their goals and needs, providing referrals, and offering support in accessing services.
• Provide education on shelter and housing options and assist individuals with navigating processes for programs
• Help individuals obtain necessary documentation (e.g., ID, Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards).
• Ensure participants are connected to housing and support services, providing follow-up as necessary to ensure continuity of care and support.
• Support participants in safety assessments and facilitate connections to emergency medical or mental health services when necessary.
  
  

Peer Support

• Provide peer support services, offering guidance and support based on lived experience, while adhering to Peer Support values and principles.
• Integrate the principles of Intentional Peer Support (IPS) into all interactions and services, ensuring a peer-driven, collaborative approach to care.
• Maintain an environment of trust and respect, applying peer-informed practices to help individuals move toward self-sufficiency.
  
  

Documentation & Administrative Duties

• Document all outreach activities, participant engagement, and services provided using HMIS or other required systems.
• Complete and maintain accurate records for program-related documents and activities, ensuring all required paperwork is completed in a timely manner.
• Attending all required team and community meetings and collaborating with other service providers to coordinate care and strengthen support networks.
  
  

Documentation, Data Collection, and Reporting

• Utilizes required databases (Credible, HMIS, etc.) and operating systems (Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.).
• Works with program manager to complete quarterly reports.
• Demonstrates the ability to understand program outcomes and measure program effectiveness.
  
  

Knowledge, Values, and Core Principles

• Aligns with the mission and values of New Narrative, utilizing them to inform service delivery and decision-making.
• Shows an understanding of key philosophies and models from which the team’s core values are derived and utilizes them to inform approach to working with participants and decision-making.
• Person-Centered Approach
• Intentional Peer Support
• Housing First
• Trauma-Informed
• Harm Reduction Approach
• Assertive Engagement
• Positively contributes to team culture:
• Giving and receiving well-intended feedback
• Holding self-accountable
• Taking initiative to enhance processes and systems.
• Contributing innovative ideas
• Enhancing the vision of the department and agency
• Insight into personal biases and the ability to decenter oneself (center for the participant).
• Knowledgeable about Fair Housing, Landlord-Tenant Law, and housing related resources available to participants in our community.
• Understand the dynamics and needs of individuals dealing with housing insecurity and barriers to obtaining housing.
• Ability to follow contract and budget expectations.
  
  

Additional Factors

• Effectively demonstrates a commitment to stewardship and appropriate use of resources; completes credit card processing in an accurate and timely manner.
• Identify conflict and utilize appropriate listening and communication skills to help resolve disputes. Ability to give and receive well-intended feedback.
• Ability to identify and negotiate power in relationships with members of vulnerable populations.
• Uphold the highest ethical standards and respect for confidentiality.
• Answer participant and other business calls or communication within two business days, observing guidelines for confidentiality, security, and professionalism.
• Work in a manner that is organized, efficient, and detail-oriented; Handle multiple tasks simultaneously and have excellent organizational skills.
• Assist with special promotions and community education. Be involved in program advocacy and networking for social change.
• Take care of yourself by being aware of personal limitations, communicating your needs to others, and asking for help when needed.
• Participates in regular meetings to develop partnerships and build rapport with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Perform other duties, functions, special projects, and responsibilities as assigned and deemed necessary by the program manager.
  
  

Work Environment & Physical Demands

This position involves both office-based tasks and frequent fieldwork in community settings.

• Physical Demands:
• Frequent walking and mobility, including engaging with participants in outdoor or challenging environments (e.g., streets, camps).
• Ability to travel within the county and engage with participants in various settings, including encampments, shelters, and public spaces.
• Work Environment:
• This position requires working outside in varying weather conditions.
• Moderate noise levels and potential exposure to stressful or emotionally charged situations.
  
  

Core Competencies

• Communication: Direct, concise, and collaborative. Keep others informed. Listens effectively to others. Maintains positive and open communication with staff.
• Teamwork: Effective at working in team situations.
• Initiative/Results Oriented: Originates action. Find ways to get things done.
• Quality: Promotes continuous improvement. Effectively utilizes data.
• Customer Responsiveness: Responds well to internal and external customer needs.
• Analytical Thinking: Attention to detail over sustained periods of time and ability to analyze data and recognize trends.
• Dependability: Counted on to follow through on commitments; at work each day and on time; work completed in a timely fashion.
• Aptitude: Ability to comprehend and apply innovative ideas, processes, procedures, or training.
• Organizational Awareness: Understands the culture of the organization; interests and concerns of various groups.
• Sensitive Information: Exposure to highly confidential information. Must always maintain the highest level of discretion and organization’s security.
• Motivate: On-going ability to motivate others and remain consistently enthusiastic.
• Demeanor: Remaining calm in crisis situations, empathetic, unbiased, and excellent interpretation skills.
  
  

Education/Certificates/Licenses/Registration

• Preferred certifications: THW, PSS, PSW, CRM, or other related credentials.
• Lived experience with mental health, substance use, and/or homelessness is highly valued.
• Valid Oregon Driver’s License and proof of insurance required.
• Bilingual preferred
  
  

Experience/Qualifications:  

Experience working in HMIS or Credible is a plus. 

Experience working with Harm Reduction programs is a plus. 

Experience with Housing First programing a plus 

Familiarity with the population (SPMI, Justice involved, SUD, unhoused)