Outreach - Library Engagement Team

Schedule: Full Time - 40 hrs/week. Days. Occasional weekends and evenings.
Pay Rate: $17 / hour

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. Our Homeless Outreach Team provides basic needs services and connects individuals experiencing homelessness in Salt Lake County to housing, legal, and medical services. 

Position Summary  

To provide outreach services to Salt Lake City’s unsheltered individuals and/or families in order to connect clients with supportive services with the goal to decrease Salt Lake’s unsheltered population and connect individuals with safe and stable housing. Respond to and assist in the areas in and around the Salt Lake City library branches. You will assist with community education, Library staff training and education, and problem-solving homelessness issues.

Essential Duties

• Walk around areas inside and outside of the libraries and initiate contact with potential clients.
• Provide basic needs services to individuals.
• Connect clients to supportive services, such as medical, housing, and basic needs resources.
• Identify and refer clients to Case Management when appropriate.
• Ensure that all paperwork related to client and program activities is properly completed, managed confidentially and stored in an appropriate location and submitted in a timely manner.
• Assess medical emergencies, contact emergency medical providers, and utilize Naloxone kits when appropriate. Complete an incident report on all emergency or critical incidents by the end of each shift.
• Attend weekly staff meetings and case consultations.
• Utilize de-escalation skills to manage client crises as outlined in the agency’s training module on verbal de-escalation.
• Manage purchase receipts and submit them in a timely manner.
• Assist with community education, response, and problem solving around homelessness issues.
• Attend work on a punctual, regular, and predictable manner.

• Provide safe transportation for clients.
• Proactively expand and integrate knowledge of community resources.
• Work closely with team members and community partners to provide continuity of care to clients.
• Stock library storage areas with supplies to meet the immediate needs of clients, including food, hygiene kits, clothing, and harm reduction materials while maintaining an organized storage space.
• Maintain adequate gas in agency vehicle and ensure its cleanliness, both inside and outside.  Submit gas receipts promptly.
• Maintain an organized, clutter-free workspace.
• Complete all community-based referrals processes and paperwork thoroughly and timely.
• Perform other functions as necessary or assigned.

• Ability to learn and utilize software programs in use by VOA.
• Ability to establish appropriate, professional boundaries with clients and coworkers.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks; flexibility to respond to changes.
• Ability to drive company vehicle; possess a current driver’s license and have a good driving record.
• Ability to work with clients regardless of age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and/or sexual orientation, etc.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to work in a professional manner with community members, governing officials, and community partners.
• 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.