Prevention Outreach Specialist, Youth on Fire

Company: Fenway Health
Location: Cambridge
Posted on: January 26, 2023

Job Description:

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Job Type
Full-time

Description
Under the supervision of the Youth on Fire (YOF) Program Manager proactively engage unstably-housed youth and young adults (14-24 yrs/old) in high-risk situations by establishing rapport during regular street outreach (2) Con-ducts street outreach, community engagement, and networking and; (3) Collaborate and build relationships with among Fenway departments and local organizations (4) Provide harm reduction materials, supportive referrals, and work with the YOF team to create a safe and supportive environment in the drop-in center.
Representative Duties:

• Conducts street outreach, community engagement, and networking in Cambridge and the Greater Boston area.
• Builds relationships with collaborating organizations and internally among departments within Fenway Health
• Identifies and reaches out to agencies, organizations and community groups to build a network of com-munity partners in Cambridge and Greater Boston area.
• Coordinates with community partners to increase awareness of Youth on Fire's services, to understand and meet community needs.
• Attends community events to represent Youth on Fire and Fenway Health and distribute relevant infor-mation.
• Provide street outreach throughout the year in various weather conditions.
• In the circumstance of low staffing due to illness, vacations, and time off, the Prevention Outreach Special-ist, will prioritize supporting staff and members in the drop-in center to ensure safety and staffing to keep the drop-in center open and accessible to members.
• Provide clients with easily accessible and low-threshold services that operate within the harm reduction framework in both a remote and drop-in setting. This includes enrolling participants in program services, conducting basic risk assessments, and assisting participants with accessing support services on an as-needed basis.
• When on the floor, maintain a visible presence in the drop-in space by proactively engaging participants through rapport and relationship building, responding to service needs, safety issues and provide general support through active listening.
• Work with the YOF staff to create a safe and supportive environment in the drop-in center.
• Provide written and verbal health education and harm reduction information on safer sex strategies, sub-stance use, overdose prevention, incarceration, sex work, sexual reproductive health, street safety, LGBTQIA+ issues, and HIV, STI and Hepatitis transmission and health education.
• Assist participants in accessing medical and social services such as primary care, drug treatment, mental health and legal advocacy.
• Assist with community presentations and Speaker's Bureaus on services available at Youth on Fire.
• Work with team to organize daily operations and programs in the drop-in center, including opening and closing procedures to help ensure facilities are safe, clean, and welcoming
• Complete all required paperwork and data entry including but not limited to: referrals and advice, Short-Term Health Navigation, drop-in space visits, conversations with members, risk reduction sessions, follow-up needs, outreach sessions and participant feedback in a timely manner.
  Requirements
  
  • 2-5 years experience working with under-represented youth/ young adults. This can include working with young adults in a coaching or mentorship capacity and/or lived experience OR 2-5 years of outreach expe-rience in working with historically underserved populations.
  • Significant knowledge of health-related, social, and legal issues faced by homeless youth and an under-standing of Social Determinants of Health.
  • Knowledge of youth development principles and practices as well as trauma informed services.
  • Strong crisis management, de-escalation, and group facilitation skills.
  • Commitment to practice harm reduction in all interactions with program participants.
  • Understand importance of confidentiality and boundaries in prevention and education work.
  • Demonstrated experience working in a multi-cultural environment where commitment to diversity based on race, age, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and physical ability is an institutional and programmatic value.
  • Ability to be punctual and perform tasks consistently during scheduled work hours.
  • Ability to conduct street outreach in various weather conditions.
  • Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with colleagues, patients, clients and vendors across the spectrum of diversity, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, national origin and immigrant status, religious or spiritual identity, disability (physical, mental, emotional and developmental), veteran status, and/or limited English proficiency.
  • Willingness to contribute towards Fenway's efforts in becoming an anti-racist organization and promoting a culture dedicated to ongoing development in service of humility, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, where differences are acknowledged and valued.Preferred qualifications:
    • Candidates must be self-motivated, organized, and communicative
    • Candidates must be able to work independently
    • Cultural humility, specifically the capacity to work with diverse community stakeholders and a willingness to learn from individuals from different backgrounds
    • Experience performing street outreach
    • Strong oral and written communication skills
    • Strong relationship-building skills
    • Comfort in diverse settings
    • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with other members of a teamPhysical Requirements:Ability to meet the following physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodations:
      • Sit at a computer station for extended periods of time
      • Ability to keyboard for extended periods of time
      • Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds on occasion
      • Ability to perform street outreach in various weather conditionsWe offer competitive salaries, and for those who qualify, an excellent benefits package; including comprehensive medical and dental insurance plans, and a retirement plan with employer match. We also provide 12 paid holidays, paid vacation, and more.LGBTQIA+ identified persons, Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), and individuals from other historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.Key words or areas of interest: Outreach, youth worker, social determinants of health, networking, homelessness, housing insecurity, case manager, case management, harm reduction, LGBTQIA+ youthHighly experienced individuals may be compensated at a higher rate.
        Salary Description
        $23.74-26.10/hour ($46,300-50,900/year)

Keywords: Fenway Health, Cambridge , Prevention Outreach Specialist, Youth on Fire, Other , Cambridge, Massachusetts