Outreach Navigation Specialist -

LifeWorks of Austin, TX is looking for an Outreach Navigation Specialist to join our Street Outreach team! The Outreach Navigation Specialist provides outreach, navigation, and connection to resources for youth and young adults (YYA) up to age 26 who are runaways, street-dependent, or experiencing homelessness. This position builds trusting relationships with individuals underserved by existing community service systems through engagement and support services, including basic needs assistance, referrals, crisis intervention, and individualized support. The Outreach Navigation Specialist also oversees and supports the day-to-day operations and data tracking of drop-by 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 authentic engagement and 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 runaways, 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 young adult they encounter.
• 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.).
• Effectively manage crisis situations through assessing and acting in accordance with standards and laws in emergency situations involving the health and safety of YYA.
• 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 document the interactions, assessments, 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 community partners, service providers, and agencies to ensure a coordinated response to youth homelessness and to expand the range of available resources. Advocate for clients within the community as well as internally to ensure that client needs are being recognized, represented, and addressed.
• Practices professional and ethical boundaries and ensures consistent and equitable service provision.
• Attends internal and community meetings regarding clients and community outreach.
• Coordinates Impact Specialist, Volunteers, and AmeriCorps shifts and assignments with support from the Program Services Coordinator and the Donor Relations and Engagement Manager.
• Attend internal and community meetings regarding clients and community outreach.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in social or behavior sciences or administrative or marketing field;
• Requires a minimum 2 years’ experience with at risk youth or young adults; and/or 1 year of direct experience working with the unhoused population.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Outlook, and other database software. Preferred experience with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Bilingual Spanish or ASL preferred.

ABOUT LIFEWORKS With more than 50 years of experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, young adults, and young parents, LifeWorks is committed to solving youth homelessness through housing, mental health, education, and workforce services. Our vision is a Central Texas where every young person has a place to call home, a sense of belonging, and the support to pursue a life they love.

We provide a full range of support services for vulnerable youth, ensuring that every young person has access to a safe home, the chance to heal, and opportunities to learn and work. Through innovative problem-solving, shared accountability, and evidence-based solutions, we are relentless in achieving real, sustainable, and measurable results for the clients we serve.