Outreach Specialist

POSITION: Street Outreach Specialist, Sisters Program

REPORTS TO: Sisters Program Director

POSITION PURPOSE: As a team, provide mobile harm-reduction based street outreach to women (inclusive of cis/trans/non-binary) in the street-based sex trade, including sex trafficking and survival sex.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Scheduled Mobile Street Outreach as a Team

  • Offer practical resources, information and supportive conversation to women who are or might be involved in the street-based sex trade in identified North and South side areas.
  • Identify ways that women are protecting their health and safety on the street and offer additional supports and resources.
  • Directly provide food, water and harm-reduction items like Narcan and Safer Use Kits (syringe exchange).
  • Link women to community resources including food, shelter/housing access, syringe exchange, legal rights, anti-violence advocacy, HIV/STD testing and health care; follow-up to ensure that referrals are appropriate and effective.
  • Share information about the Sisters Program and the Drop-In Centers, encourage women to join the program voluntarily and connect women to Drop-in Center staff.
  • As possible, provide transportation and accompaniment to appointments and urgent legal, safety and healthcare needs or connect to other staff or partners with availability.
  • Make connections with local business owners, residents, criminal justice professionals and other service providers in the areas where Sisters Street Outreach is active.
  • Implement agency and program initiatives that require involvement of Sisters staff including housing assessments, surveys and community partnerships.
  • Follow all prescribed protocols for conducting outreach as documented in the Sisters Program Operational Manual and the Van Policy and make decisions during outreach that are in the best interest and safety of staff, agency, and clients.

Volunteer/Intern/New Outreach Specialist Training and Support

  • Support outreach volunteers and interns, including Sisters Program participants.

Evaluation and Data collection

  • Track daily outreach contacts, and share updates during meetings.
  • Enter data into Clarity and Procentive as needed.
  • Identify and document outreach trends and outcomes as an outreach team, with feedback from program participants and with the Program Manager on a regular basis.
  • Work with Program Manager to evaluate outreach program performance and adjust work plans as needed.

Sisters Program Support and Connection

  • Participate in program staff meetings, in-service trainings and staff development opportunities.
  • Meet with Program Manager on a regular basis for supervision and support.
  • Work with drop-in center staff as a team to coordinate client care, support drop-in center activities and the Sisters Program needs.
  • Represent the Sisters Program at agency and community meetings and events as needed.
  • Connect with staff from local community agencies to better link women to additional resources.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Outreach Supplies and Van Maintenance

  • Maintain outreach supplies and inform Program Manager of both monthly needs and any potential shortages.
  • Responsible for tracking and coordinating fuel and maintenance of the outreach van.
  • Adhere to all policies and procedures outlined in the Sisters Program Operational Manual and Benedict Center Vehicle Handbook.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • High school degree or commensurate with experience.
  • Position demands a self-directed, detail-oriented, flexible person with excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills.
  • Minimum 1 year of experience working in programs that serve women.
  • Ability to work well with women from diverse economic, racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, and religious backgrounds in an open and respectful environment.
  • Understanding of and commitment to harm reduction practice, trauma-informed care, self-reflection, accountability and cultural competence.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to speak effectively before groups
  • Ability to mediate and resolve conflict constructively.
  • Computer literacy and experience with databases and excel worksheets.
  • If in recovery, must show at least one year in maintenance stage.
  • Requires valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
  • Must be able to adapt to a flexible outreach schedule which can change depending on time and location where women are available.
  • This position requires lifting up to 40 pounds as well as standing, walking, sitting and driving for extended periods of time.
  • Bilingual, Spanish speaking a plus, eligible for a pay differential

TERMS:

  • Full-time, non-exempt position
  • Paid vacation and personal/sick time
  • 13 paid holidays
  • Fully-paid single health coverage (family coverage available)
  • Dental and vision insurance available
  • Short-term disability, life, accident and other insurances also available
  • Opportunity to join a caring and committed team of professionals.
  • Benedict Center is committed to a diversified workforce

  • SALARY:  $19.00 - $21.00 per hour

TO APPLY: Send resume and cover letter to Human Resources at HR@benedictcenter.org