CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Agate Housing and Services is an innovative and collaborative nonprofit organization whose mission is to end homelessness and relieve hunger through action and advocacy. We progress toward this goal by providing emergency services, shelter, and housing programs for individuals and families. We meet people experiencing homelessness where they are and accompany them on their journey to safe, stable housing and a healthier life. We believe that housing is a basic human right.

Agate Housing and Services values are:

Integrity: Consistently doing the right thing even if it isn't the popular thing.

Equity: Fighting the status quo by actively examining and changing the way things are done to better represent the people who are most impacted by homelessness and hunger.

Humanity: Understanding how these issues impact us- the community, our staff, and the people we work with- as a collective and developing relationships by establishing trust when we put in work to understand the needs of people experiencing homelessness and hunger.

Creativity: Responding to the needs of the community with innovative and unique solutions.

Agate Housing and Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer/AAE, offering competitive pay and exceptional benefits including; medical insurance, employer paid dental and life insurance, short term disability, 4 weeks of paid time off in the first year of employment, and a 401k retirement savings with an employer match.

POSITION DESCRIPTION & OVERVIEW

The Outreach and Shelter Department serves single adults through our emergency response programs. Our programs include Shelter, Street Outreach and the Welcome Center. Through these programs, we often encounter individuals along the broad spectrum of homelessness from recently homeless to chronically homeless individuals. The objective for each program is to build rapport and assist and support individual's connection to stable housing and achieving their goals.

The Street Outreach Program is an innovative and nationally recognized street outreach model that serves people throughout Hennepin County who are unsheltered, living on the streets or in other places not meant for human habitation. The Street Outreach Worker is tasked with engaging these individuals to meet them where they are holistically. Often this means going to campsites and other places where individuals might stay while experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Primary tasks in this role are completing housing assessments and other referrals, providing basic needs, and supporting participants in connecting with housing opportunities.

Street Outreach Workers work closely with other members of their team, the Welcome Center staff and with a variety of community partners including other outreach teams, housing providers and other health and human service providers. All street outreach is done in pairs with either another team member or another service partner. Street Outreach team members participate in coordinated outreach initiatives in partnership with, or informed by, law enforcement, the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District, the Minneapolis Downtown Council, the City of Minneapolis, and Hennepin County.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND EXPECTATIONS

• Provide outreach services to those experiencing literal homelessness, unstable housing, and those unable to be inside during daytime hours to connect them to support services and life-saving supplies.
• Staff on-site drop in hours at main office.
• Coordinate with the agency's housing programs and other service providers to help clients progress towards stability.
• Complete accurate case notes, data collection and monthly reporting for assigned clients through online databases including HMIS and ClientTrack.
• Utilize personal vehicle for Street Outreach.
• Thrives in an unpredictable work environment.
• Responds to voicemails, emails, and other communication promptly.
• Verbal and written communication is clear, effective, and contains adequate detail.
• Demonstrates appropriate professional boundaries with clients and colleagues.
• Is diligent in protecting private data.
• Collaborates effectively with team members, other programs, and external organizations.
• Seeks out professional growth, training opportunities, and additional tasks.
• Maintains a professional attitude in the face of change, challenging/stressful situations/people.
• Understands and adheres to mandated reporting responsibilities.

Performs all other duties, as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION

Medium work - Standing most of the time. Occasionally exerting up to 50 pounds of force, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Lift up to 50 pounds occasionally and 20 pounds routinely.
• Walk up to 5 miles, hike and traverse wooded and hilly areas.
• Work both indoors and outdoors during periods of extreme cold and hot.
• Have experience with Microsoft Office products.
• Have valid MN Driver's License, pass background check; and,
• Be able to drive company vehicle.

In addition, successful applicants will embrace the following perspective, skills and abilities:

• Commitment to Agate Housing and Services' values and mission of ending homelessness and relieving hunger through action and advocacy.
• Commitment to working towards an anti-racist culture both within Agate Housing and Services and the broader community.
• Hold the belief that every household can achieve housing stability.
• Commitment to harm reduction and housing first philosophies.
• Ability to work respectfully with clients, coworkers, and key stakeholders who are diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and religion.
• Ability to establish rapport quickly with people experiencing a crisis through use of trauma informed care, client centered care, and strengths-based approaches.
• Ability to meet expectations regarding paperwork and documentation through organizational skills, a strong attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently and accurately, competency and comfort using technology and computers.

Experience that gives applicants the required skills, abilities, and perspectives listed above are commonly gained through one or more of the following:

• Personal experience with homelessness;
• Experience working, interning, or volunteering with people experiencing homelessness;
• An Associates, Bachelor's, or Master's degree in a relevant field such as Social Work (with accompanying licensure), Human Services, or Family Studies.

We encourage applicants with lived experience to apply. However, if you have received services from Agate Housing and Services within the last two years this will make you ineligible for employment.

This position requires use of your own personal vehicle for Agency business and will be required to maintain liability insurance coverage. In addition to criminal background studies, applicants must have a valid Driver's License and pass a driving record background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with Coordinated Entry systems.
• Experience with HMIS and CES Assessments.
• Bilingual skills relevant to the individuals we serve (Spanish, Oromo, Somali, Amharic).
• Access to a safe and reliable vehicle.

AGENCY COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS

Agate Housing and Services maintains a COVID-19 preparedness plan that mitigates the transmission and spread of COVID-19. Programs also maintain practices to ensure the safety of staff, clients, residents, and community members.

With that, Agate Housing and Services is requiring all new employees, volunteers, interns to show proof of full vaccination upon onboarding. Further questions regarding our COVID-19 policy can be directed to Human Resources at HR@agatemn.org

REFERRAL BONUS PROGRAM

Do you know someone who you think would be a good fit for a position at our organization? Please refer them! Agate Housing and Services offers a $250 bonus to employees who refer qualified candidates for current openings.

To be eligible for rewards, candidates must be hired as permanent full or part-time employees (this excludes on-call, employees, temporary employees, interns or contract workers).

When applying for the position, candidates must clearly state the name of the current employee that referred them. The referral bonus will be paid out within one month of the candidate's six (6) month anniversary. There is no cap on the number of referral bonuses an employee can receive!

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION

Visit agatemn.isolvedhire.com and select the opening for which you wish to apply. Submit your information under "Apply Now" and you will be directed to the full application, where you can upload your resume and cover letter. If you have previously created an account to apply for a position at Agate Housing and Services, log in to your account before attempting to apply for another position.

Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Qualified applicants will be selected for interviews as applications are received. No phone calls please.

Agate Housing and Services is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and strives to promote an environment that is diverse and inclusive where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Employees actively participate in various committees that give voice to staff to create active participation and involvement in shaping the future of our agency.

Agate Housing and Services is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color, indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.