Business and Community Liaison - Homeless Outreach Program

Schedule: Full Time - Benefits Eligible!
Pay Rate: $20 / hr
 

Benefits - Approximate full-time benefits package value = $20,000+:

• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage. Health savings account. 403b retirement plan with employer match (50% match up to 3%).
• Employee Assistance Program for all employees
• 33 paid days off: 11 observed paid holidays, 12 sick days, and 10 vacation days to start. Vacation increases to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and more at 5 and 9 years of service.
  • Sick and vacation time accrue hourly per pay period.
• $50,000 in employer-paid life insurance; additional coverage available.
• $1,200 annual employer contribution to your Health Savings Account (paid quarterly).
• Employee Referral Program including cash bonuses and paid time off.

Volunteers of America, Utah provides community-supported paths for those who are vulnerable to improve their lives and increase their self-reliance. In alignment with our mission, VOA Utah encourages individuals with lived experience to apply. We recognize that a person’s life experiences can provide firsthand knowledge relevant to being successful in the work that we do.

This position serves the community and businesses surrounding the Geraldine E. King Woman’s resource Center and the Gail Miller Resource Center in Salt Lake City. This position coordinates and collaborates with Resource Center operators, Shelter the Homeless, Salt Lake City, and others in responding to issues relating to people experiencing homelessness in the neighborhoods around the Homeless Resource Centers (HRC’s). The Business and Community Liaison will engage in productive conversations with community members helping them to gain a better understanding of homelessness issues and solutions, actively listen to community concerns, and work towards resolving these concerns.  

Essential Duties

• Establish positive working relationships with key stakeholders, local businesses, faith organizations and the community groups surrounding the HRCs and Salt Lake City proper as capacity allows. 
• Coordinate responses to issues and concerns reported to the Salt Lake City Mayors Office through City Source and to the HRC’s from local businesses, community groups, and citizens relating to people experiencing homelessness around the HRC’s in a timely and professional manner.
• Work with the Homeless Outreach Team, key stakeholders, the community, city and regional governmental representatives to develop a coherent plan for responding to issues related to homelessness.
• Coordinate needed services with SLC’s HEART team and Outreach Management to address waste cleanup issues and increased outreach engagement at hot spots.
• Provide presentation and community education, training, response, and problem solving around homelessness issues in Salt Lake City. Providing positive ways to get involved and be part of the solution.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation according to program requirements and create program reports in accordance with applicable standards and regulations, grant requirements, etc.
• Assist clients with necessary supportive services, including medical, housing, benefits, mental health, and employment services.
• Evaluate own performance to increase effectiveness as a Business & Community Liaison.
• Assess medical emergencies, and provides immediate and professional response to any emergency following appropriate policies and procedures. (contacting emergency medical, utilize Naloxone kits, Etc.)
• Assist in resolving conflicts professionally, utilizing de-escalation skills, and coordinating appropriate responses with appropriate stakeholders, supervision, and senior team members as needed (when situations escalate or are no longer productive).
• Maintain a positive working relationship with community partners, team members, community members, business owners, emergency services, PD, and all other community or government stakeholders.
• Facilitating the connection of individuals to the appropriate entity or contact to provide clarity or resolution to issues/concerns.
• Participate in regularly scheduled staff meetings, Neighborhood Advisory Meeting, Community Council meetings, HRC safety meetings, and any other meetings pertinent to this position.

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree in a related field or two years of work experience in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience or any combination of education, experience, and training which provides the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VOA. (HMIS, UWITS, MAUD, Salesforce)
• Ability to establish appropriate, professional boundaries with clients, coworkers, neighborhood partners and the general public.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks; flexibility to respond to changes and responds appropriately to crisis situations.
• Basic knowledge of the client population and their complex needs including homelessness, financial instability, medical and mental health, and substance abuse etc. 
• Ability to work with clients and community members regardless of age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and/or sexual orientation, etc.
• Ability to perform outreach in extreme weather conditions, including summer heat and winter snow; be willing and able to perform outreach on foot approximately five miles per day while wearing a backpack with supplies.  Must be able to lift 25 Ibs.
• Must be at least 21 years of age, possess a current driver’s license, have a good driving record and be insurable on the agency liability policy.
• Must be able to pass pre-employment background check and drug screen.

Apply on the career page of our web site: www.voaut.org/careers

Volunteers of America, Utah is committed to creating a diverse environment, where all people feel valued, have the opportunity to do their personal best and where leadership development is fostered. The organization is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All employment decisions are based on business needs without regard to race, ethnicity, skin color, nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, mental and developmental abilities, physical ability or religious belief. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.