Senior Outreach Worker

Organization Overview: The Goddard Riverside Community Center (Goddard Riverside) and the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) are well-established Manhattan community-based agencies that support services to approximately 30,000 New Yorkers. We are two of New York City’s leading human services organizations meeting the needs of children, youth and families, homeless individuals, and older adults through-out Manhattan and New York City. We work every day for a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families. The Isaacs Center focuses primarily on the needs of children and low-income families, out-of-school and out-of-work youth, and aging New Yorkers. We operate at community centers located in the neighborhoods of East Harlem and Yorkville, and seek to deliver programs that are impactful, innovative, and intergenerational.

Program Description: We work within a social justice framework to create a fair and just society where all people have the opportunity to make choices that lead to better lives for themselves and their families. Goddard is a partner within the Manhattan Outreach Consortium (MOC) a borough-wide initiative to serve the unsheltered community.  MOC collaborates with various community partners and healthcare agencies throughout Manhattan.

Purpose of Position: The Senior Outreach Worker works creatively and effectively in the community to engage individuals living on the street through outreach by utilizing a harm reduction approach. The position will, at times, require dispatching of assignments, acting as a liaison to the on-call supervisor and ensuring that daily reports are submitted.  The person in this role will also assist in training new outreach workers. The position responds to 311 community calls, assists with housing placements, and meets clients “where they are at” utilizing motivational interviewing techniques. The position works in conjunction with MOC teams.

Schedule: Saturday 11:00 pm - 7:00 am (and other shifts as needed)

Hourly Rate: $20.03

Senior Outreach Worker Responsibilities:

• Act as shift lead when team supervisors are not onsite, liaising with on-call supervisor and dispatching/ ensuring completion of assignments
• Ensure that any code blue reports are completed and submitted on time, when applicable
• Completing shift sign outs at the end of the shift when applicable

As part of a two-person outreach team, you will:

• Canvass, engage, and be a presence in specific areas with a high concentration of unsheltered clients
• Outreach new and current clients in promoting service goals and escorting clients when needed
• Respond to special assignments from DHS, Community officials, and other organizations
• Communicate and build relationships with community stakeholders
• Respond to 311 calls regarding unsheltered individuals
• Assess individuals for safety and advocate for additional services when needed
• Document client engagements, area reports, and special assignments in MOC and DHS databases
• Prepare reports on shift activities and client status
• Assist in training of new staff and participate in group trainings for current staff
• Drive outreach vehicle
• Canvass for vulnerable individuals during Code Blue, Code Red, and during other appropriate times
• Participate in at least four (4) overnight quarterly counts of homeless individuals living on the streets of Manhattan
• Ability to work some holiday shifts required
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• High School diploma required; Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Valid driver’s license and a driving record that meets the agency’s auto insurance guidelines (including at least 1 year as a licensed driver and no suspensions within the last 3 years)
• At least one year’s experience with the homeless population in an outreach capacity

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Experience with persons with mental illness or homelessness preferred
• Ability to be flexible in a fast paced work environment

Computer Skills

• Experience with or ability to learn Microsoft Office, Street Smarts, MOCapp

Physical Requirements

• Frequent walking and standing
• Occasional lifting of up to 30 lbs

Work Environment

• Indoors and outdoors; all weather
• Work primarily out of lower Manhattan location
• Must be able to drive and handle city traffic

We are committed to building an inclusive workplace community grounded in respect for differences. We support hiring a broadly diverse team of qualified individuals who will contribute to our organizations.

Goddard Riverside and Isaacs Center provide equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job related task other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.