Homelessness Services Outreach Navigator_FT

Reports to: DV Coordinated Entry Program Coordinator

Schedule: Full-Time, 37.5 hours/week; Monday – Friday with rotational responsibility for on-call staffing

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Pay Rate: $20.00/hour

The YWCA of Western MA is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women. The YW provides a safe place for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Our programs and services include crisis shelter and transitional housing for survivors and their families, a 24-hour bilingual hotline, counseling, SAFEPLAN court advocacy, community education, supervised visitation, and vocational training for youth ages of 17-24. The YWCA provides services at several sites, including Holyoke, Northampton, Westfield, and our primary Springfield campus.

Expectations of all Employees

In the performance of essential and general job responsibilities, all YWCA employees are expected to:

• Demonstrate commitment to the YWCA’s mission and principles of trauma-informed work.
• Represent the YWCA in a professional and competent manner to participants, community members, organizational partners, and others.
• Reflect on and interrupt assumptions, personal and systemic biases, and sources of power when interacting or communicating with colleagues, clients, and external partners.
• Support policies, practices, and decisions that demonstrate our shared accountability for racial equity.
• Work effectively as a team contributor and foster a positive working environment.
• Work independently while understanding the need for communication and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Maintain professional behavior and strict confidentiality.

Position Purpose

The Homelessness Services Outreach Navigator will have an integral role in connecting homeless survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) who are in crisis to housing and social services supports in the community. The position will support the YWCA Domestic Violence Homelessness Helpline by assessing the needs of callers and providing appropriate, effective, trauma-informed referrals and resources. The Outreach Navigator will work in an on-call capacity including being dispatched virtually or in-person to meet with a survivor following an incident of violence. Once the survivor is referred to the program, the Navigator will use trauma-informed interviewing techniques to screen for diversion, prevention, shelter and/or housing needs, vulnerability/prioritization indices, and program eligibility.

Essential Responsibilities

• Demonstrate support for Coordinated Entry System (CES) guiding principles, including fair and equal access, safety planning, referral protocols, and consultation.
• Collaborate with a network of CES community partners including outreach workers, shelter case managers, housing and other service providers, and understand all roles and responsibilities within the CES.
• Oversee the YWCA’s DV Homelessness Helpful by responding to calls, making referrals, and helping the caller to create a safety plan.
• Determine program eligibility and make appropriate referrals for callers who do not meet eligibility criteria.
• Serve in an on-call capacity on a rotating schedule to be dispatched virtually or in-person to meet with a survivor immediately following a violent incident at area hospitals, community health centers, police stations, courthouses, or other locations at which physical distancing is possible. Help develop a plan for safety and begin the CE process when appropriate.
• Engage survivors in-person by observing nonverbal signs of misunderstanding or concern, and build trust with survivors who may be experiencing anxiety, stress, or fear to effectively utilize the Helpline.
• Participate in CES development and other trainings as they are offered, and will be flexible to the job role evolving as the CES evolves to best meet the needs of the population served.
• Perform other duties as requested by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field or relevant experience;
• Two years of work experience in housing services, placement, and/or case management;
• Spanish language proficiency required;
• Experience with and knowledge of accessing housing, homelessness, social service, and other community-based resources;
• Experience with survivors of violence and exploitation;
• Experience addressing the impacts of decisions and actions on multiple communities;
• Understanding of both interpersonal and structural racism and bias;
• Excellent communication, organizational, problem-solving, and computer skills;
• Access to reliable transportation and valid driver’s license required. Must be able to be covered by the agency's insurance policy; and
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs.

EEO STATEMENT

It is the policy of YWCA of Western Massachusetts to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the YWCA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

The YWCA is an “at-will” equal opportunity employer. While the YWCA will continue to operate with care regarding employment decisions, the YWCA and its employees may terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason, with or without cause, and without advance notice. Exceptions include select, non-exempt positions covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

The YWCA, in our effort to provide safety to those we serve, performs criminal offender record information (CORI) checks on all prospective employees. Final offers of employment are contingent upon receipt of an acceptable CORI report as solely determined by the YWCA.

INTRODUCTORY PERIOD

All employment at the YWCA begins with a 120-day Introductory Period.