City of Pittsburgh

The staffing and organizational plan consists of both site and outreach workers who work citywide to help unhoused and unstably housed people to be healthy and safe while homeless through case management, referrals to services, addressment of daily living needs, criminal justice navigation, and follow-up care coordination.. The ROOTS Senior Outreach Specialist position will be community-based and primarily responsible for conducting outreach and providing support to individuals experiencing housing instability or homelessness.. Current ROOTS sites are located in the Northside, Downtown and East Liberty, respectively in Police Zones 1, 2, and 5.. NOTE: Candidates being considered for employment will be required to submit official transcripts to verify of their post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.). Distributes and tracks use of harm reduction and basic needs supplies, including but not limited to hygiene supplies and winter clothing.

outreach specialist

POSITION SUMMARY
The Reaching Out on the Streets (ROOTS) Program aims to reduce the prevalence of homelessness by addressing the social determinants of health, opening opportunities for personal agency, and intervening in critical moments of crisis to reduce criminal legal interactions, increase access to services, and reduce fatal overdoses. The staffing and organizational plan consists of both site and outreach workers who work citywide to help unhoused and unstably housed people to be healthy and safe while homeless through case management, referrals to services, addressment of daily living needs, criminal justice navigation, and follow-up care coordination.
Our staff will facilitate non-coercive service connection based on the client’s priorities; staff use motivational interviewing, unconditional positive regard, assertive engagement, trust and reciprocity to build relationships and meet client goals.
The ROOTS Senior Outreach Specialist position will be community-based and primarily responsible for conducting outreach and providing support to individuals experiencing housing instability or homelessness. Current ROOTS sites are located in the Northside, Downtown and East Liberty, respectively in Police Zones 1, 2, and 5.

Department: Office of Community Health & Safety
Posting Type: Announcement
Salary: $53,380 per year.
Union: None, this is a non-union position.
Civil Service Classification: Non-competitive
REQUIREMENTS
General Application Requirements:
You must submit or show proof of all of the following at the time of filing your application (unless otherwise indicated below) or your application will be disqualified. Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.
Applicants must submit a complete application including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable) and completed supplemental questions.
Applicants must be or become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain a resident throughout employment.
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Applicants must comply with the City of Pittsburgh's COVID 19 vaccination mandate.
A current, valid Class C Pennsylvania Driver's License is required prior to appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. Written requests for accommodation based on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act will be considered by the Department of Human Resources & Civil Service on an individual basis.

NOTE: The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions. The background investigation includes but is not limited to criminal background, driver's license and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments. Candidates may be disqualified from consideration for employment based on the results of their background investigation (as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered).

NOTE: Candidates being considered for employment will be required to submit official transcripts to verify of their post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to being hired by the City of Pittsburgh. Transcripts must be submitted at the time of any/each job interview you have with the City of Pittsburgh.

Qualifying Requirements:
Your City of Pittsburgh application will be reviewed, and your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position. You will be sent an eligibility letter regarding your eligible/ineligible status.
WORK EXPERIENCE: The application must clearly show three (3) years of full-time experience in social services, criminal justice, healthcare street outreach, or a related field. (Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)
EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show a high school diploma or equivalent. A bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, direct care, criminal justice, or human development is preferred. (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training.)
EQUIVALENCY: Education/training may be substituted for work experience on a year for year basis if the application clearly shows the required number of years to meet the Total Qualifying Requirement for this position (based on the sum of work experience and education/training listed above). The Total Qualifying Requirement is three (3) years. (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training.) Eligible applicants must possess one of the following combinations of education and/or work experience:


High School diploma or its equivalent and three (3) years of full-time experience in social services, criminal justice, healthcare street outreach, or a related field.
-OR-
Associate degree in social work, human services, direct care, criminal justice, human development, or a related field and one (1) year of full-time experience in social services, criminal justice, healthcare street outreach, or a related field.
-OR-
Bachelor’s Degree in social work, human services, direct care, criminal justice, human development, or a related field.
-OR-
Bachelor's Degree in an unrelated field and one (1) year of full-time experience in social services, criminal justice, healthcare street outreach, or a related field.
-OR-
Master's Degree in any area.


CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATIONS
If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will be sent a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s). You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) in order to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position. Candidates who receive job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) prior to start date.

Written: None required for this position.
Performance: None required for this position.
Medical: None required for this position.
POSITION DUTIES
Conducts outreach in the community focusing on individuals living outside or experiencing homelessness.
Elicits needs through relationship building with clients.
Advocates for clients who encounter barriers to services.
Supports client transition from homelessness or housing instability to secure housing.
Establishes working relationships with shelters, mental health supports, public safety personnel, and external outreach providers.
Distributes and tracks use of harm reduction and basic needs supplies, including but not limited to hygiene supplies and winter clothing.
Addresses daily living needs such as bathing, eating, and temporary shelter.
Responds to “warm handoff” requests from law enforcement personnel.
Facilitates medical street rounds in partnership with AHN Street Medicine team.
Assists in obtaining housing readiness documentation such as personal identification, income verification, homelessness verification, and more.
Provides crisis intervention and risk assessments to individual living outside.
Documents service encounters, client information, and outcome tracking in relevant software using proper case management protocols.
Primarily provides support to one ROOTS site but supports other sites throughout the City of Pittsburgh as assigned.
Performs other duties as assigned or required.

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