Outreach Specialist

Job Brief

Our CSD team is currently seeking an Outreach Specialist to work in partnership with Lethbridge Police Service and the Watch Program.

(18 month term; 75 hours biweekly)

The City of Lethbridge is actively committed to ensuring all individuals, families, and communities have opportunities for healthy development and social wellbeing. Recognizing the growing need for dedicated resourcing to assist in the implementation of the City’s coordinated encampment response, our CSD team is currently seeking an Outreach Specialist. The Outreach Specialist will work in partnership with Lethbridge Police Service and the Watch Program. This position plays a critical role in carrying out the strategic goals of the encampment response strategy as they will ensure that all individuals reported and triaged through the encampment response team are offered connections to the system of care. They are responsible to the strategic plan and to both internal and external partners in ensuring that complex referrals to housing and other related needs are met among the unhoused population, with a specific emphasis on individuals residing in encampment.

The Outreach Specialist will ensure that unhoused community members have support in accessing services they need which includes the completion of referrals and other system navigation. They will provide ongoing system navigation and referral efforts and case planning when necessary to support unhoused individuals through the system of care. They will also provide and support to other service providers/committees in the community including the downtown businesses impacted by social disorder in the community. The position has a strong emphasis on health and wellbeing promotion, disease prevention, and community capacity building and works within a recovery-oriented framework.

The Role:

Reporting to the Operations Manager in the CSD Department, you will execute several important functions in fulfilling the following five (5) goals of our encampment strategy:

Parks and public spaces within the community are enjoyable for everyone Those experiencing barriers/vulnerabilities are connected to housing and social supports Encampments do not become entrenched Residents are informed on how to report encampments identified within the community Community and City Council remain informed

Specifically, your work will focus on three primary areas:

Outreach Services:

Engagement with the unhoused population via regular patrols completed alongside the LPS Watch program staff and by referrals from the Encampment Response Team  Complete assessments of individual’s needs  Connecting participants to the system of care that will support their needs including housing and housing readiness, health and emotional well-being, education, safety, meaningful daily activity, recreational and community supports, legal and custody, and financial needs.  Complete complex referrals, based on assessments for various services including financial assistance, detox, treatment, dual-diagnostic treatment, or other relevant services. 

Community Engagement:

Engagement with the Encampment Response Team and Lethbridge Police Service to ensure individuals residing in encampments are supported  Actively work with client’s unique network of support by developing professional relationships with appropriate cultural or spiritual connections, family doctor, pharmacy, school districts, community resource centers and more to meet individual needs  Advocate on behalf of participants in order to meet service needs  Engagement with community members/business owners to provide educational resources on outreach services and engagement with the vulnerable population. Regular engagement at the CART to advocate and make appropriate referrals to other service providers in the community 

Documentation/Report Development:

Detailed case notes pertaining to individuals being supported.  Ensure all documentation and client progress information is accurate and up to date Support the development of progress reports for community and/or City Council 

Your Professional Skillset:

As our top candidate, you are respected for your commitment to service and ability to build successful stakeholder relationships. You are known for your strong interpersonal and motivational skills necessary to work successfully with the unhoused population. Your ability to remain nimble to navigate challenges and shifting priorities, as well as to self-regulate and manage the impact of daily exposures to emotionally stressful situations will also be essential to your success. This includes strong situational awareness skills coupled with strong written and verbal communication skills. Your previous years of experience in results-oriented, high paced culture focused on system navigation and referral will set you up for success. 

This will be supplemented by:

A two-year diploma would be considered an asset but not required.  volunteer experience dealing with unhoused populations would be an asset. A proven track record in strategic social and/or health delivery case management, which could include clinical expertise relating to psychosocial support, addiction and mental health, or other social work. An understanding of crisis management and trauma-informed practice is considered an asset. Must have a valid Alberta driver’s license and a vehicle with appropriate auto insurance to provide transportation for program participants as needed is required for this position. 

Other Formal Certifications to be completed upon hire:

Case Management Training  Integrated Coordinated Access Training  Standard First Aid CPR Level C  Motivational Interviewing Training 

WAGE: $39.88 per hour (under review)

HOURS OF WORK: 75 hours bi-weekly; Monday to Friday 

 The City also offers an attractive and flexible benefits package.

The City of Lethbridge is committed to advancing reconciliation in our community, as well as ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion in our workforce. We encourage Indigenous applicants, as well as those from historically underrepresented groups to apply.

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