Outreach Specialist - Veterans

Department: Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program

Job Title: Outreach Specialist

Reports to: SSVF Outreach Program Manager

The Organization:

Homeward Bound is the leading nonprofit organization in Buncombe County focused on preventing and ending homelessness using the best practice Prioritizing Home model. We work collaboratively with community partners and have a proven track record of helping individuals and families achieve housing stability. Since 2006, Homeward Bound has moved more than 2,700+ people off the streets, out of cars, camps, and shelters and into permanent housing.

Overview:

Homeward Bound’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program provides short-term financial assistance for housing and case management support to veteran households experiencing homelessness in Buncombe County. The program’s temporary financial assistance assists with move-in costs and can also provide short-term rental and/or utility assistance. The program offers resources and services that are tailored to the unique needs of the household. We follow the Prioritizing Home model, which means clients are not required to meet preconditions (sobriety, engagement in treatment, income, etc.) in order to receive housing or services, as long as we can safely work with them. We work with vulnerable people, many of whom have experienced trauma and have mental illness and substance use disorders.

The Outreach Specialist works directly with the Outreach Program Manager to connect with veterans who are experiencing homelessness in the community or staying in various shelters. The Outreach Specialist will be responsible for regularly conducting outreach at various campsites throughout the community as well as consistent hours at the AHOPE day center to connect with clients there. The Outreach Specialist will also complete paperwork with these veterans and compile pre-screening and enrollment packets to present clients for case conferencing at our weekly coordinated assessment meeting with other veteran providers. The Outreach Specialist will also collaborate with these providers to enroll clients that are referred to us through coordinated entry as well.

Schedule and compensation: This is a full time, non-exempt position with hourly compensation. Hourly compensation is $24.15.

Education/Experience Requirements:

• Bachelors level education in Social Work or a related field with equivalent experience in the field

• Experience in homeless services or related field

Requirements:

• Ability to be empathetic and to speak comfortably with individuals from all walks of life

• Excellent de-escalation and crisis intervention/management skills

• Review eligibility and assessment documentation and provide consultation, ensuring compliance with funding requirements as well as policies and procedures

• Ensure all documentation is completed in a timely manner including data entry into HMIS

• Work with each client to guide and develop person centered plans (PCP) to set goals aimed at reducing harm

• Understanding of and commitment to Homeward Bound’s mission and philosophy of service delivery

• Prior experience with people experiencing homelessness and/or people with behavioral health needs is a plus

• Proof of driver's license, driver's insurance, and vehicle required for providing transportation for individuals, claiming mileage or driving on behalf of the company
  

Responsibilities:

• Maintain appropriate boundaries with veterans at all times to ensure their safety and yours

• Communicate with SSVF program staff to provide information regarding mental health, housing barriers, behavior patterns, etc. that the Outreach Specialist observes during intakes

• Outreach very low-income individuals and families. Conduct outreach in coordination with other HB programs and community service providers

• Assist those who are camping or are living in un-inhabitable situations who may qualify for services

• Build relationships with those individuals with the goal of assisting them in obtaining permanent housing

• Engage in crisis intervention strategies with program participants when appropriate

• Assist with maintenances of program databases and end-of-the month process and maintain separate computer database of outreach and intake client contacts

• Assist in development of positive working relationships with other agencies serving the homeless

• Collect required intake documentation and data for accurate assessment and intake of very low-income individuals and families and program evaluation

• Assess program participants in completing program intake forms

• Must be able to lift 50lbs

• Be an effective mediator and advocate for all clients

• Attend weekly team meetings and other specified meetings/trainings as required

• Operate proficiently a personal computer, fax machine, printer, and copier

• Communicate effectively in oral and written forms with clients, their families, their significant others, coworkers, supervisors, other service agencies and the community

** This job description does not list all job duties. Occasionally, the SSVF Director might request that you perform other reasonable duties in order to most effectively meet the needs of staff and clients.

Our values:

• We believe in the absolute value and worth of every single human being.

• We believe that housing is a basic human right, integral to self-worth and dignity.

• We believe that homelessness is a solvable problem.

Mission: To prevent and end homelessness in our community through permanent housing and support.

Homeward Bound bases its human resource decisions on objective criteria without regard to any characteristic or condition protected by law. We are committed to a workplace that offers equal opportunity without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, disability, genetic information/medical history, military/veteran status, or any characteristic or condition protected by law, but not specifically mentioned here.

Full Time Benefits Offered:

Benefits begin the first of the month following 30 days of employment.
• Medical: 100% employer-paid MedCost plan, including 100% mental health & lab coverage
• MercyMe Urgent Care: Employer-paid family membership (up to 4)
• Dental: 100% employer-paid Delta Dental
• Vision: Community Eye Care
• 15 Paid Holidays
• Vacation: 4 weeks paid vacation in your first year, increasing with tenure
• Sick Leave: 96 hours annually with unlimited rollover
• Life & Long-Term Disability: 100% employer-paid
• 401(k): Contribute from Day 1; employer match after 1 year
• Short-Term Disability, Accident & Critical Care coverage available
• Hybrid Work: 1 remote day per week
• Company-provided cell phone
• Medical & Dependent Care FSA
• YMCA membership discount
• YMCA Market: Locally sourced groceries subsidized 50% by Homeward Bound
• BenefitMe employee shopping program
• BeneMoney loans up to $5,000 after 1 year
• Employer-paid CPR/AED/First Aid certification
2026 Mployer Top Employee Benefits Award Recipient