Position Title: Outreach and Triage Specialist – Merrimack Valley

Department: Human Services Department

Exemption: Non Exempt    

Supervisor: Director of Outreach

Job Summary:

As part of the SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) Team, the Outreach and Triage Specialist (OTS) for Merrimack Valley screens Veteran families experiencing or at risk of homelessness across Eastern Massachusetts, with a focus on Essex and upper Middlesex Counties, for SSVF services. This includes outreaching and completing program enrollments for Veterans residing in the community, as well as conducting intakes for Veterans entering transitional living at the New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV). In collaboration with other members of the Outreach team, this role conducts outreach in the Merrimack Valley and throughout Eastern Massachusetts communities as needed to locate Veterans identified as homeless or facing housing crises. Community outreach consists of street outreach, as well as collaboration with service providers to inform them of NECHV programming, in order to reach and assist all Veteran families in need in SSVF’s catchment area. The OTS will engage Veterans in conversations and assess for eligibility for SSVF services (e.g. rapid re-housing, housing prevention, rapid resolution and housing stabilization) to ensure Veteran families are placed on the most appropriate housing track.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop Merrimack Valley-based outreach plan in conjunction with the Director of Outreach and Director of Housing and Stabilization Services. Identify potential program participants through street, community-based and shelter outreach.
• Complete intakes for Veterans entering NECHV transitional living to screen for SSVF services.
• Order DD214s and other critical documentation as needed for Veterans entering NECHV as well as those enrolling in SSVF services in the community.
• Complete City of Boston Pathways Assessments and follow up with Veterans who were matched with housing opportunities through the Coordinated Access System.
• Follow up with referrals from surrounding shelters and agencies to assess for eligibility and enroll in the appropriate NECHV program.
• Stay up-to-date with community resources in order to best refer non-eligible Veterans to alternative resources or placements.
• Use Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed Care and Progressive Engagement strategies to develop appropriate therapeutic rapport.
• Ensure Veterans are quickly linked to the services and housing path that will resolve their housing crisis. 
• Educate community agencies and collaborating organizations about SSVF and other programs available through the NECHV to assist them in identifying and serving Veterans who are experiencing or at risk for homelessness.
• Maintain appropriate documentation, including completing intakes, documenting outreach attempts to agencies and case notes in an electronic database.
• Attend Program, Department meetings and trainings as well as Continuum of Care provider meetings and other meetings with collaborating agencies as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.