Outreach Program Assistant in Fort Pierce, Florida at SAFESPACE INC

Days / Shift: Monday through Friday; 8:30am - 5:00pm (with flexibility to meet program needs)

Position Type/Classification: Full-Time 40 hours; Non-Exempt

Location/Travel: Fort Pierce/Tri-County (St. Lucie, Indian River, and Martin County)

Position Summary:

The Outreach Program Assistant utilizes an empowerment-based, trauma-informed, survivor-centered service model to provide direct services to program participants, hotline callers and community members. The Outreach Program Assistant provides supportive advocacy, information, and referrals to incoming callers and program participants, reviewing police reports to identify victims, handle outgoing advocacy calls, and screening and welcoming visitors reaching out to SafeSpace, Inc.

The Outreach Program Assistant provides direct assistance to outreach survivors to ensure basic needs are met, assessments are provided, intakes are completed, and case management services are coordinated. The Outreach Program Assistant assists with the daily operations of the Outreach Connection Centers and assists with quality assurance, inventory, distribution of materials, organizing basic needs and office supplies, as needed.

Job Responsibilities:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain an all-inclusive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

• Respond to and / or return calls from crisis hotline callers or community referrals within 48 hours to offer and explain outreach services, utilizing a trauma-informed service model to provide direct crisis intervention, emotional support, information, linkage to resources and schedule an outreach appointment upon the request of the survivor.
• Complete outreach intake for survivors seeking immediate walk in services and immediately enter all relevant client data / information into the SafeSpace client management database.
• Provide safety planning, risk/lethality assessment, counseling / advocacy, information and referrals, education on the dynamics of domestic violence and information regarding the availability of the SafeSpace emergency shelter to survivors seeking immediate walk in services.
• Enter, update and maintain current and appropriate participant information regarding all ongoing services provided to participants immediately into the agency’s client management database in accordance with SafeSpace and DCF standards.
• Inform and assist survivor in filing victim compensation claims from the Office of the Attorney General including gathering the needed documentation, etc. Provide follow-up advocacy with the victim compensation agency on the survivor’s behalf.
• Review and update personal safety plan as needed to address changing circumstances of participants.
• Co-facilitate peer and educational support groups.
• Review law enforcement reports according to agency standards facilitate outgoing advocacy calls, screen victims for high lethality and refer to InVest as appropriate.
• Participate in case staffing, shift meetings, team meetings, and staff meetings. Engage in one-on-one supervision meetings with the Outreach Advocacy Manager.
• Attend and facilitate professional development trainings, community events and interagency meetings as directed by the Supervisor.
• Maintain inventory and organization of office supplies and basic needs at the Connection Centers.
• Conduct peer-file reviews to ensure quality assurance of electronic and paper files.
• Participate in other projects and assist with additional duties as requested by the Supervisor, including supporting the emergency disaster team in the event of a national disaster or weather emergency.

Qualifications and Skills:

• High School diploma/GED, and relevant prior experience, including one year+ providing direct crisis support, residential services, customer service, hospitality, handling confidential information in a highly sensitive environment, emergency response, or other relevant fields. Can substitute for experience with associate’s degree in human services, Social Services or another related field.
• Experience providing supportive services, referrals and information, intervention services and/or advocacy to vulnerable, at-risk, or culturally specific populations is preferred.
• Ability to engage in and model supportive, healthy relationships with survivors, peers, staff and community members.
• Ability to safely de-escalate a crisis, conflict, and critical event utilizing a trauma-informed de-escalation approach.
• Must adhere to SafeSpace ethics, policies, procedures, and contractual standards.
• Must have the ability to gain knowledge of local resources, social service agencies, including government systems.
• Ability to communicate efficiently utilizing verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Must maintain and protect the confidentiality of the program participants and shelter locations within agency guidelines and state statutes.
• Bilingual language skills are preferred.
• Must be willing to support the emergency disaster team in the event of a national disaster or weather emergency.
• Must be able to pass a level two background screen.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license with reliable transportation to work at various locations including both emergency shelters and outreach locations.
• Ability to be flexible and provide coverage when needed to meet SafeSpace Outreach needs, including nights, weekends and holidays, as needed.
• Must be organized and detail-oriented to report and collect accurate data and information.
• Must be able to handle and prioritize emergencies and unexpected needs of program participants.
• Ability to be self-motivated and work as part of a collaborative team

Core Competencies

• Professionalism and compassion
• Attention to detail
• Reliability and accountability
• Cultural humility and inclusivity
• Problem-solving and initiative
• Team collaboration

Training Requirements:

Required onboarding training will be conducted at the Administrative office or designated location during the hours of 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Must successfully complete CORE Competency training provided by the agency within 90 days of employment and participate in ongoing mandatory education and skills training on relevant topics as required by statutory funding, certification of the agency or personnel, or as identified to improve employee performance. Must maintain annual training requirements outlined in the employee manual. Must have or gain knowledge in Florida Domestic Violence Statutes, Injunctions for Protection, court procedures, victim rights, Office of the Attorney General Victim Compensation / Relocation and Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), and the Florida Department of Corrections VINE (Victim Information Notification Everyday).

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job operates in multiple community-based office locations. Daily driving throughout the tri county service area is expected. This role routinely involves standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Will be a noisy environment that is fast paced with high stimulation. Working with survivors of intimate partner domestic violence may increase exposure to secondary trauma.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work will be performed in both inside and outside environments.

Notice to Applicants: All finalists for employment with SafeSpace, Inc. are required to undergo screening through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. For more information, please visit https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

SafeSpace is an Equal Opportunity Employer.