Engagement Specialist - Services For The Underserved, Inc.

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Position Overview

Supporting independence and community inclusion, S:US’ Behavioral Health division promotes person-centered services that focus on recovery. We apply evidence-based practice, data-driven accountability, compassion and dedication to our work. Our mission to bring opportunity to all includes recognizing and amplifying the diverse strengths of the people we serve and our teams. We strive to instill respect and integrity into each interaction and support the voices of the people we serve.

Engagement Coordinators in the Restore and Recovery (R&R) program will be responsible for providing outreach and connection to services for individuals who engage in substance use, carry mental health diagnoses and/or have histories of homelessness. The Engagement Coordinator provides skilled engagement, referral and connection to services, while working closely with Peer staff in the R&R program to provide person-centered, trauma-informed interventions and services through this SAMHSA funded program. The purpose of this program is to assist individuals with accessing necessary harm reduction interventions, bridging the digital divide in treatment services for both service recipients and staff, and addressing grief related to COVID and increasing overdose deaths. The Restore and Recovery team will provide consultation and education to S:US staff, service recipients and the communities where services recipients live. The Engagement Coordinator collaborates closely with service recipients, staff and community organizations to develop culturally-appropriate materials and strategies to raise awareness about the dangers of opioids, fentanyl test strips as an overdose prevention tool, availability of naloxone, and other harm reduction strategies as needed. The Engagement Coordinator should provide culturally safe care with a demonstrated commitment to anti-colonial practice.

Qualifications

• Conducts outreach services within S:US shelters and supported housing programs, as well as communities where S:US programs are located
• Conducts assessment process to orient client to the Restore and Recovery program and develop individual service plan reflecting assessment needs and goals.
• Provide referrals to needed services and deliver follow-up
• Documents case management activities in accordance with agency and funding source guidelines and procedures. Follows funding source protocol manual.
• Perform other related duties as directed by supervisor.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings to enhance skills that are related to job function.
• Maintain professional relationships with outside service providers and community organizations.
• Must be able to work independently in the community

Service Delivery

• Monitors and confirms service delivery in accordance with agency culture, mission, vision and values.
• Develop and maintain a safe, welcoming environment for the delivery of services.
• Monitor the provision of and documentation of all services provided to the people we serve.
• Provide emergency and relief coverage as necessary.
• Assist with the implementation of best practices.
• Support Peer staff to develop and implement of individual service plans.
• Work flexible schedule that may include weekends, on-call, as needed.

Data and Accountability

• Actively use data to monitor, manage and support the work of the program.
• Maintains consumer satisfaction, quality standards and assists the Program Director in ensuring contract requirements are being measured and addressed and that the programs are meeting expectations.
• Provide regular feedback to Program Director regarding program goals and targets, challenges, and coaching and mentoring of Peer Staff

Compliance

• Conduct and document health and safety drills/QA checks, as per agency standards.
• Prepare for and participate in accreditation reviews, monitoring visits and internal/external program audits.
• Report incidents and complete incident reports in a timely manner and in accordance with agency policy and procedures.

External Relations

• Responsible for creating and maintaining relationships with community providers to build referral relationships and develop additional resources to enhance services
• Represent the agency and programs in a professional manner to funders, consumers, potential consumers, referring agencies, network members, etc.

              Operations

• Participate in required training and professional development activities.
• Perform other duties as required.

• Accountability: Be clear in your communication with team members and Program Director. Provide clear, fact-based feedback on progress and overall effectiveness of services provided, and ask for input on what more you can do to help each individual succeed.

• Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and team members, appreciating their social, cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds and their age, gender and abilities.

• Integrity: Uphold personal and professional ethics and values, considering the values of the organization and respecting the culture, beliefs and abilities of individuals we serve.

• Person-Centered: Fosters and manages a positive climate that promotes respect and dignity for individuals served (consistent with person centered practices).

• Continuous Quality Improvement: Foster a culture of continuous improvement.  Regularly search for information and implement solutions to solve problems, improve quality/service, efficiency, effectiveness and/or reduce costs.

• Teamwork: Ability to work in a team-oriented environment and contribute to the team in a way that creates an environment where the multidisciplinary team supports one another.

• Must be committed to the mission and values of S:US, with an understanding of the issues facing the people we serve.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a Human Services related field plus 2 years supervisory experience is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of practical experience in Harm Reduction with a demonstrated ability to develop programming for people who use drugs
• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related discipline preferred
• Experience working with and/or supervising Peer Specialists or PDSA preferred
• Experience working with and providing education to diverse populations including people experiencing homelessness; Indigenous people; LGBTQ2S+ communities; people who use criminalized substances; sex workers; people from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, people with mental health diagnoses, and people living with disabilities
• Development and delivery of educational programming, preferably related to harm reduction, overdose response, hepatitis C and/or HIV, including curriculum development, facilitation and evaluation within a range of methodologies including adult learning preferred.
• Must have excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficient in MS Word/Excel. Ability to research material via the internet.
• Bilingual English/Spanish speaking preferred
• Valid Driver’s License suggested

Company Overview

S:US IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Join a team of employees who cares about the wellbeing of others.  We believe in fostering a culture built on our core values:  respect, integrity, support, maximizing individual potential and continuous quality improvement. 

S:US is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. S:US is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities, including allowance of the use of services animals. To request reasonable accommodation or if you believe such a request was improperly handled or denied, contact the Director of Benefits & Compensation at MyMedicalLeave@sus.org.

By my signature, I understand and accept the responsibilities of the position for which I have accepted employment.

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