NEOCH Is Hiring An Outreach Director!

HomelessLivesMatter+(136+of+136).jpg

Outreach Director Job Description

Position: Outreach Director
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Reports to: Executive Director
Hours: Full-time, Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm – some weekends

Since 1988, NEOCH has sought to break the cycle of homelessness in Northeast Ohio. We organize and empower homeless and at-risk adults and children through public education, advocacy, and the creation of nurturing environments. We seek to be responsive to the needs of unhoused people in Northeast Ohio by affirming their dignity. Our main programs seek to amplify the voices of those experiencing homelessness through advocacy, outreach and education. We envision a society without homelessness. We know reaching this goal begins from pushing society, particularly service providers and the government, to treating people experiencing homelessness with dignity and respect. The people need better shelter standards, more county support, more accessible housing, and –most importantly– more chances to have their input heeded.

Job Summary: The Outreach Director will oversee the daily operations of the Cleveland Outreach Collaborative, including NEOCH outreach staff and staff from partnering organizations who work collectively to support Cleveland’s unsheltered population. The Outreach Director will, in coordination with the Executive Director, interview, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate all outreach staff. They will develop and implement program goals as expected from funding sources and agency governance. Further, this position is responsible for maintaining all data including program records and client statistics.

The Outreach Director will assist outreach staff by helping eliminate barriers for clients and will ensure that people experiencing homelessness are given immediate and person-centered care to address their homelessness crisis. The Director will work with staff to ensure that people are supported throughout the entire outreach process and after client move-in to help maintain stable housing. The Outreach Director is required to have training in trauma-informed care, conflict resolution, and they are expected to maintain a persistent and compassionate approach through the process of connecting individuals to safety and permanent housing. Additionally, the Outreach Director will be responsible for training outreach staff and Outreach Collaborative partners on conducting informal assessments by utilizing the emotional and physical proximity to learn aspects of homeless individuals’ lives that are often difficult to uncover, such as: 

  • The current condition of the camp/shelter and implications for personal security

  • Exposure to trauma

  • Safety of the local environment

  • Openness to engaging in services

  • Benefit eligibility (e.g., military, Medicaid, or social security)

  • Barriers to housing stability

Task Responsibilities (including but are not limited to):

  • Oversee all program operations and manage direct reporting program staff a (i.e. conduct regular check ins with outreach workers and help address crisis situations and complex cases).

  • Maintain daily outreach contact reports and other documentation as required

  • Establish, build, and maintain relationships with people living unhoused.

  • Coordinate Outreach staffs and designated volunteers.’ daily activities, including street outreach and community engagement.

  • Plan and facilitate monthly Outreach Leaders meetings and Outreach Workers meetings

  • Collect, manage, and analyze all data related to street outreach for proper funding reporting and to track NEOCH’s organizational goals related to street outreach

  • Oversee all staff and on-street assessments and client stability plans

  • Provide referrals to NEOCH’s Outreach Coordinator and other necessary NEOCH staff, and facilitate client case conferencing as needed

  • Liaison and coordinate with Homeless service agencies and groups working in Cuyahoga County.

  • Provide face-to-face contact with individuals who are shelter-resistant and living on the streets throughout the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County when needed

  • Provide crisis intervention, service coordination, skill building, and family education with sensitivity in relating to persons of varying backgrounds

  • Use motivational interviewing to encourage self-agency and acceptance of services

  • Assess individuals who are experiencing homelessness for safety, mental health, substance abuse, trauma, and victimization 

  • Provide necessary follow-up aimed at establishing linkage to services

  • Advocate for clients' access to community resources and services, ensuring that needs are met, and human and civil rights are maintained.

  • Consult and collaborate with community providers to ensure continuity of care

  • Complete data collection and documentation to assist in program evaluation

  • Analyze program and demographic data to make programmatic improvements.

Qualifications for the outreach workers will include the following:

  • A master’s degree in Social Work or related field; or bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of work experience in homeless services and experience managing and supervising a team of staff

  • Proven experience working with the public, developing and maintaining excellent relationships

  • A minimum of five years of experience working with low income individuals and/or those experiencing homelessness

  • Experience in Homeless Services in Northeast Ohio

  • Experience with Microsoft Suite, data entry and documentation

  • Excellent oral, written, and organizational skills with attention to detail.

  • Ability to lift and carry supplies in excess of 30-50 pounds.

  • Training in trauma informed care, conflict resolution, and harm reduction models

  • Experience working with homeless individuals and families, preferred

  • Ability to work flexible hours in times of need, including weekends and evenings

  • Awareness of and adherence to strict boundaries and professional ethics in the care of others

  • Belief in the principles of self-determination, social justice, and equity

  • Bilingual English/Spanish, preferred

  • Ability to provide own transportation

Compensation: Salary $40,000 (exempt)
Benefits: Health insurance options available, 10 days’ vacation / 10 days personal-time off, paid federal holidays   

NEOCH seeks to be to dismantle systems of oppression – Racism, Sexism, Heterosexism, Transphobia, Classism - and embraces cultural diversity.  We Equal Opportunity Employer.  Join our team!

SEND COVER LETTERS AND RESUMES TO NEOCH@NEOCH.ORG

Molly Martin