Consumer Advocate, Outreach Brooklyn

Job description

ABOUT US: - We believe that everyone deserves a home!

nBreaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness.

nBut we didn't stop at providing housing. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness - especially those who have been on the streets the longest - to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get, and stay, on the path to a permanent home.

nBreaking Ground’s Street to Home program makes regular contact with more than 2,000 street homeless individuals and connects more than 500 individuals to housing, medical and mental health services, substance abuse counseling, and other essential supports each year. The caring, individually tailored attention clients receive at each stage of their journey from street to home ensures that more than 95% of people who Breaking Ground places remain stably housed.

nThe Consumer Advocate, Outreach, works with people experiencing street homelessness and living with chronic medical conditions in BOROUGH with the objective of engaging individuals to connect them to appropriate social and medical services and, ultimately, to help improve their overall health and wellbeing and secure appropriate housing solutions.

nThe Consumer Advocate, Outreach, builds a relationship with clients utilizing motivational interviewing to encourage clients to work towards self-identified housing, health, and other goals. The Consumer Advocate spends most of the shift in the field either in an automobile and/or on foot conducting street outreach, accompanying clients to appointments, and following up on service referrals. The Consumer Advocate conducts assessments, engages clients in self-directed service planning, and enters all required data into required databases.

nESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

nnnEngage with identified persons currently experiencing homelessness and living with chronic medical conditions in BOROUGH

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nnDraw on lived experience of homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues to build rapport with clients and develop appropriate service connections

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nnConduct required assessments

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nnAttend clinical supervision and training

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nnMaintain record keeping in compliance with agency standards as well as those of City and State agencies

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nnCollaborate with Parks Dept., NYPD, DSNY, MTA, and other agencies

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nnAccompany clients to appointments and follow up on service referrals

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nnPerform other duties as assigned

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n nMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

nnnHigh School diploma or equivalent required

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nnMinimum 2 years of related experience

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nnLived experience with homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues, and willingness to appropriately use lived experience as a tool for building client rapport and developing service connection preferred

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nnKnowledge of local benefit agencies (e.g., Public Assistance) and familiarity with substance abuse, mental health, immigration, and employment resources

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nnStrong oral and written communication skills and ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders

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nnProficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams

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nnValid NY, NJ, CT, or PA driver’s license with a good driving record, as defined by Breaking Ground, is a condition of employment

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nnBilingual preferred

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n nEOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled

nJob Details

nPay Type Hourly

nHiring Min Rate 20.71 USD

nHiring Max Rate 20.71 USD

Worksite address

brooklyn, NY, 11210, US

Who can apply

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