Specialist Jobs in Colorado Springs, CO

Job Type Full-timeDescriptionThe Outreach Specialist is responsible for conducting street outreach and engagement with runaway, homeless, and street youth (RHSY) aged 24 and under. This position builds trusting relationships, provides direct services, and connects youth to shelter, housing, and essential resources. The Outreach Specialist is responsible to ensure a safe, welcoming environment for youth at the Drop-In Center. The role requires collaboration with community partners and adherence to a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach to support youth in achieving stability and independence. This position will ensure that interactions, interventions, and environments at The Place are trauma informed and emphasize the physical and emotional safety of youth and staff.JOB DUTIESThe duties of this position are performed personally, in cooperation with your supervisor, and / or in coordination with other staff.Conduct face-to-face outreach in various community locations, including downtown areas, schools, and shelters.Distribute outreach materials and raise awareness about available services.Provide gateway services such as food, clothing, hygiene products, and transportation.Conduct initial screenings and assessments to identify the needs and risks of youth, including those related to sexual abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.Connect youth to a case manager who will assist in developing individualized plans to support housing stability and independence.Serve as a liaison between youth and case managers to ensure they receive needed support.Coordinate with community partners for services such as mental health care, substance abuse treatment, education, and employment support.Maintain accurate records and enter data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).Conduct follow-up meetings with youth to monitor progress and provide continued support.Provide crisis stabilization, de-escalation, and safety planning for youth in distressMake appropriate referrals to emergency services, shelters, and crisis resources.Work closely with community partners, including law enforcement, schools, and health providers, to coordinate care.Participate in community meetings and task forces addressing youth homelessness.WORK SCHEDULEThis position typically works between the hours of 9 : 00am to 5 : 00pm, Monday through Friday (with some flexibility required to work evenings or weekends as needed to attend meetings and tend to urgent situations.). Schedule is 40 hours per week.PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCEAdhere to all Personnel Policies and Procedures for the AgencyAt all times maintain professional standards of performance, demeanor, and appearance; act as a "role model" both at and away from the AgencyMaintain a creative, team-building approach to job performance and seek to bring a constructive, problem-solving orientation to all tasksPerforms all tasks and responsibilities with attention to detail and in a complete and timely manner, complying with agency policies and standards and conforming to the scheduling requirements of the job and programMaintain an awareness of the agency's mission and work to promote the positive individual and social change goals it embodiesExercise discretion and professional judgment at all times keeping with the responsibilities carried personally and by the agency for theActively strive to upgrade professional skills through engaging in appropriate professional training and experienceActively strive to create and maintain a culturally sensitive, trauma informed and appropriate environment through communication and interaction that demonstrates respect for diversity; while promoting the philosophy of trauma informed care in interactions with youth, staff and individuals both internally and externallyWORK ENVIRONMENTEmployees in this position may be subject to long hours on their feet in an office, outdoor, and shelter environment that may frequently include physical conditions such as inclement weather or temperature extremes, sharps, drugs and paraphernalia, and interpersonal contact from non-employees that include sexual innuendo and raw, abusive or threatening language. Employees must be comfortable providing safer sex supplies and bleach kits to youth.The PLACE provides personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety training to prepare and protect The PLACE employees in these uncontrolled environments. Compliance with safety protocol is required, which may include the use of PPE, involvement of law enforcement, and / or enactment of emergency protocols, detailed in The PLACE's Emergency Operations Plan.RequirementsMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS : Education & Experience : Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or a related field preferred.Experience working with at-risk youth, particularly those experiencing homelessness.Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and positive youth development principles.Skills & Abilities : Strong communication and interpersonal skills.Ability to work independently and as part of a team.Effective problem-solving and crisis intervention skills.Ability to manage multiple tasks in a dynamic environment.Additional Requirements : Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.Must pass both federal and state background checks.Must be insurable as a driver on The Place's auto liability policy.Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel).Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.Excellent written and spoken communication skills.Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.Excellent organizational skills.Must be computer proficient and possess experience of Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel).Must pass both federal and state background checks as well as pre-employment TB screening.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSEmployees are frequently required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, and occasionally stoop, kneel, or crouchRequires manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordinationAble to speak and write the English language in an understandable mannerRequires the ability to use department equipment, such as telephones, personal computers, adding machines, copiers, fax machines, etc. Position requires frequent use of computer and phoneAble to hear well enough to communicate with employees and othersAble to be on feet and mobile up to 8 hours a dayAble to lift up-to 50 lbs.