MIAMI VALLEY HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES INC·Dayton, Ohio
The specialist establishes rapport with community organizations and homeless individuals to identify those with serious mental or substance disorders. They link eligible participants to behavioral health services, housing, and other essential community resources.
TITLE: PATH Outreach Specialist
Reports to: PATH Director
Flsa status: Non-Exempt
The primary purpose of this position is to assist MVHO in providing services to community and individuals to help improve their quality of life in the Dayton and Miami Valley area. Perform other duties as assigned.
Essential job duties
Establish and maintain a professional rapport with community organizations that serve the homeless, have a serious mental disorder (SMD), and/or Substance Disorder populations. Provide PATH program information to community organizations, consumers, referral agencies, and associates. 1. Meet with emergency shelter and support service providers to establish a good working rapport; learn what to expect from them and what they may expect from you. Learn eligibility criteria and application procedures for community services needed/requested by consumers.
Identify eligible individuals and establish rapport. 1. Make regular visits to emergency shelters, feeding sites, and sleeping sites to meet homeless persons. Identify those who exhibit apparent signs of serious mental disorder and/or substance disorder. Provide assistance in the form of food, clothing, and immediate access to temporary housing/emergency shelter. Collect, compile, document, and maintain information about potential program participants.
Link individuals with behavioral health services, substance disorder, housing, and other community services. 1. Provide program participants with encouragement, support, and assistance in applying for and obtaining housing services and benefits. Complete and provide appropriate case notes and documentation of all meetings/services provided to potential and/or enrolled program participants.
Respond to requests for urgent assistance. 1. Be available to respond, often on short notice or at odd hours, to requests for support and assistance from potential participants, clients, emergency shelters, safety personnel/police, and others.
Comply with MVHO’s Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.
Perform other duties as assigned. Attend training and other personal/professional development opportunities, as assigned.
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
Core competencies: For successful company culture integration, all employees must demonstrate the following competencies:
Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Writes clearly and informatively; Varies writing style to meet needs.
Customer Service - Displays courtesy and sensitivity; Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Meets commitments; promptly responds to customer needs and solicits customer feedback to improve service.
Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically. Upholds organizational values.
Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
Planning/Organization - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in-group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality. Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Where duties require the incumbent to outreach into the community via fieldwork, possession of a valid operator’s license and vehicle insurance at time of appointment and maintained throughout employment. The employee must pass a criminal background inquiry and be able to work closely with law enforcement personnel.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. Ability to speak effectively before groups of managers, clients, consumers and the public.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages to practical situations. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variable in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral diagram, or schedule form.
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Employee will be expected to use a site-specific database: Homeless Management Information System. Ability to access payroll system and receive and send emails.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk and hear.
The employee is frequently required to sit.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.
The employee must be capable of walking during all or most of an eight-hour shift.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee must be capable of remaining outdoors in most weather conditions during all or most of an eight-hour shift.
Requires an Associate degree in Mental Health or Social Work (Bachelor's preferred) and at least one year of experience in case management or social services. Candidates must have a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the ability to work irregular hours.
Market context
Behavioral health roles in Ohio are typically in steady demand as employers seek clinicians who can support outpatient, community, and integrated care settings. These positions are competitive because they often require a master’s degree and a valid clinical license, and candidates should note that the requirements and benefits here are AI-summarized from the original job description to save research time. Before applying, confirm licensure fit and prepare examples of direct client care, crisis response, or care coordination.