Outreach Navigation Specialist - Street Outreach

**LifeWorks** of **Austin, TX** is looking for a full-time **Outreach Navigation Specialist** to join our **Street Outreach** team! The Outreach Navigation Specialist provides community-based outreach and supportive services for youth and young adults (YYA) up to age 24 who are runaways, street-dependent, or experiencing homelessness. This position builds trusting relationships with individuals underserved by existing community service systems through engagement and individualized support. The Outreach Navigation Specialist conducts assessments, develops service plans based on client strengths and goals, and provides ongoing advocacy, crisis intervention, and follow-up to promote stability across areas such as housing, education, employment, and wellness. The position also supports the day-to-day operations and data tracking of drop-in and group services at the Youth Resource Center (YRC), and may schedule, arrange, or conduct workshops and training sessions to help youth develop essential life skills such as budgeting, job readiness, communication, and conflict resolution. This **full time, non-exempt** position earns a competitive rate of $24.50/hr. Benefits are also included, which consist of 24 PTO days per year (accrued); 11 paid holidays per year; a premium-free employee medical plan with $100 per month HSA contribution (plus other affordable employee or family medical, dental, and vision options!); a retirement savings plan with 50% match on the first 6% of contributions, and much more! **RESPONSIBILITIES** - Engage with young individuals seeking assistance, creating an inclusive and supportive environment. Build trusting relationships with clients through client-centered, strength-based, and trauma-informed approaches to create a safe space where they can share their experiences and concerns. - Perform community-based outreach and respond to community calls to engage with YYA who are runaway youth, street-dependent, experiencing homelessness, or at risk of losing housing. Distribute basic need items, harm reduction items, and connect YYA to resources that will support their goals and needs. - Conducts assessments to understand the specific needs and circumstances of each youth and young adult in order to develop individualized service plans in collaboration with the client. - Provides or connects clients with a wide range of essential resources and services including food, clothing, hygiene products, medical care, mental health services, educational support, and housing assistance. - Supports clients through the housing navigation process by providing information about available housing options, assisting with applications, and advocating on behalf of the youth to access suitable housing opportunities. Perform targeted outreach when a YYA is pulled for housing and assist in navigation. - Assist Youth and Young Adults experiencing homelessness to attain necessary documents to secure employment or housing (e.g. state ID, birth certificate, social security card, etc.). - Assist client in building daily living and life skills such as budgeting, goal setting, communication, job readiness, and conflict resolution to promote long-term stability. - Effectively manage crisis situations through assessing and acting in accordance with standards and laws in emergency situations involving the health and safety of YYA. - Monitor and document client progress toward goals, providing follow-up support to ensure continuity of care and engagement. - Advocates on behalf of clients, ensuring their needs and rights are addressed within LifeWorks and the community and in accessing necessary services. - Maintains detailed records of files, and completes timely and accurate document the interactions, assessments, service plans, referrals, and outcomes to track progress and improve program effectiveness using various software such as Microsoft Dynamics 365, Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), and Microsoft Excel. - Collaborates with…