Field Outreach Specialist

Bridge Over Troubled Waters (Positively Partners)

Job Description

For more 50 years, Bridge Over Troubled Waters has provided a comprehensive continuum of care for runaway, homeless, and high risk youth in Boston, and has been a national model in providing innovative youth services. Our mission is to transform the lives of youth through safe, supportive and encouraging relationships, counseling, housing, and skill-building, to guide them towards self-sufficiency and achieving their goals.

Bridge is committed to building a diverse workplace and strongly encourages people of color and other ethnic backgrounds to apply!

Job Title: Outreach Specialist

Hours: Full-time

Reports To: Associate Director of Youth Engagement Services

Exemption Status: Non-exempt

THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Outreach Specialist  is responsible for overall monitoring of program operations, ensure accurate and consistent data collection and analysis for reporting, and contribute to program development and enhancement. Principle duties occur in the field, on the streets, where homeless and at-risk youth gather, some duties will be performed at Bridge headquarters.

Street Outreach is Bridge’s front-line service, and the basis for the entire Bridge continuum of care.


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Regularly assess the “street scene” to maintain up-to-date information on where homeless youth gather and ensure that Outreach Specialists are visiting changing locations, including overnight camps in and around Boston
  • Work with a team of Outreach Specialists and participate in regular “foot patrol” on streets and in shelters, build relationships with street youth, and refer them to Bridge and/or other agencies as needed
  • Assess needs of street youth, provide on-street crisis counseling, and other services to help ensure their safety
  • Work in concert with Bridge Medical Van Coordinator at Medical Van locations and facilitate street youth connection to the Van
  • Maintain effective communication channels between SOP partners, including city of Boston Homeless Shelter Commission, Pine Street Inn Outreach Van, local Police Department, adult homeless shelters, collaborating agencies, and other parties involved in street outreach in the region.
  • Document service statistics and records for accurate reporting and entry of data into both Bridge ETO system and Boston HMIS.
Other

  • Lead and participate in scheduled program coordinator and staff meetings
  • Participate in quarterly all-staff meeting
  • Attend meetings outside of agency as necessary
  • Other related tasks as required/requested
QUALIFICATIONS:

  • BA/BS Degree required or related degree
  • Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience working with adolescents and youth
  • Knowledge of youth street culture, crisis prevention and intervention methods, and ability to form positive relationships with diverse populations
  • Experience with and understanding of the human services field
  • Demonstrated knowledge of community resources
  • Valid Massachusetts driver’s license required (car not required)
  • Continuous clean driver’s record.
  • Must be willing and able to drive the Medical Van.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Salary for this position starts at $21-$23/hour and is commensurate with experience. All Bridge Over Troubled Waters employees are eligible for an annual performance based raise or cost of living adjustment.

Bridge Over Troubled Waters is an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers a paid hourly rate and a competitive benefits package including medical, dental and vision plans, paid time off and a retirement savings plan. Bridge also provides a bonus of $2500 for all new employees that they are eligible in to receive in two $1250 installments after 6 months and at one year of service with Bridge.

This is a full time role. Outreach Specialists work four ten hour days from 11am to 9pm each week.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

Bridge Over Troubled Waters’ duty is to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of recognized hazards. As such we have adopted a MANDATORY COVID 19 VACCINATION POLICY for our employees. 

Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, cultural heritage, ancestry, political belief, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability or veteran status.