The Hospitality Hub of Memphis Street Outreach Specialist Memphis, TN · Full time

Apply for Street Outreach Specialist

Street Outreach Specialists implement the Hospitality Hub’s efforts to enroll individuals experiencing street homelessness into the Continuum of Care. The Street Outreach Specialists are responsible for representing the Hub to individuals experiencing homelessness and for maintaining positive relationships with partners such as the Blue Suede Brigade. Street Outreach Specialists build rapport with each individual experiencing homelessness. Individuals who initially refuse services may become more willing over time with proper cultivation and trust-building by the Specialist.

Street Outreach Specialists are based at the Hub Plaza at 590 Washington and use vehicles for transportation throughout our priority areas to connect with individuals experiencing homelessness. Specialists prepare refreshments at the beginning of each shift and bring it with them to offer street homeless men and women. Specialists are ready to answer any questions about the Hub’s services and may provide other options for accessing services in Memphis.

Primary Location: The current position is located at 590 Washington, Memphis, TN 38105

Hours: While typical work hours for this position are typically 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday, the Hospitality Hub runs programs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To best meet our mission and serve the community, we expect all staff to be flexible and willing to meet demand, respond to emergencies, or fulfill programmatic responsibilities and promises which may include working holidays, weekends, evenings, or night shifts. 

Benefits: A generous paid time off policy, paid parental leave, professional development and medical insurance are offered to all regular full-time employees. Regular training is provided to all employees.

Pay: The salary for this position is dependent on the candidate's demonstrated experience, expertise, and skill. The salary range for this role starts at $16.00/hr. Hourly team members are compensated with pre-approved overtime pay for hours exceeding 40 hours a week. 

Reports to: Liza Hubbard, Street Outreach Supervisor

While the primary responsibilities of the position are outlined below, this list is not exhaustive.

Responsibilities 

• Work to reduce street homelessness by linking clients to mental health, housing services, and other supportive services based on eligibility
• Build rapport with each individual experiencing homelessness. Learn and memorize their names, their preferred locations, and what barriers they face in exiting homelessness 
• Coordinate refreshments and other supplies (such as PPE) needed for each trip
• Maintain thorough and accurate records in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
• Collaborate with other homeless outreach entities who are part of the Coordinated Entry System
• Be kind, inclusive, and non-judgmental toward all individuals you interact with 
• Liaise with the Downtown Memphis Commission’s Blue Suede Brigade, the Medical District Ambassadors, and four Memphis Police Department precincts to identify and respond to hot spots beyond the usual shift route
• Follow all instructions from the Street Outreach Supervisor
• Provide daily reports to the Street Outreach Supervisor that include numbers of individuals connected with, number of individuals introduced to the Continuum of Care, and other important observations, challenges, stories, and successes
• Contribute to donor reporting to tell the Hub’s outreach story, including successes, lessons learned, and data tracked

Requirements

• Previous experience working with vulnerable populations. Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness is preferred.
• Current Driver’s License
• Safe driving record
• Punctual, task oriented
• Outgoing, trustworthy, and kind. This role requires daily interaction with strangers who may not feel comfortable speaking with anyone or entering the Continuum of Care
• High level of empathy
• Passion for creating a positive, safe, and encouraging work environment for colleagues and participants
• Work well within a team
• Leadership and conflict-management skills
• The ability to work consecutive hours outside or in a vehicle
• The ability to move safely over uneven terrain walking on uneven surfaces 
• The ability to lift up to 50lbs.
• The ability to follow all organization COVID policies including wearing a mask

Training provided by The Hospitality Hub

• CPR/First Aid Certificate 
• De-escalation and mediation training
• HMIS reporting and data collection 
• Diversity, Sensitivity and Inclusion in the Workplace
• Harassment Prevention For Non-Supervisors
• Stewards of Children (Memphis Child Advocacy Center)
• Training on all services offered by the Hospitality Hub, the Homeless Continuum of Care, and active partners and referral agencies

Hiring Process: 

Applications for this position are reviewed on a rolling basis. Therefore, we strongly encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as they are able.

Unfortunately, we cannot confirm receipt of or respond to every single application. If your experience matches many but not all of the qualifications, we still encourage you to apply. 

The Hospitality Hub staff works with vulnerable populations. Our team is proud to have a 100% vaccination rate against COVID. To maintain the safety of our clients and guests, all offers of employment at the Hub are contingent on a background check. Results of the background check may not necessarily disqualify candidates from being hired.

The Hospitality Hub is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: The Hub is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at The Hub are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, ancestry, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. The Hub will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. The Hub encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and people of all ages to apply.