St. Joseph Center
Mental Health Specialist - E6 Outreach
St. Joseph Center, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
Overview
Be among the first 25 applicants. Background information and program description are provided by St. Joseph Center, a nonprofit organization serving low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, and surrounding communities since 1976. The Center offers integrated housing, outreach, crisis intervention, and social services with a commitment to ending homelessness and poverty in Los Angeles. St. Joseph Center operates a multidisciplinary homeless street outreach program in the Westside of Los Angeles, focusing on Housing First while addressing broader needs to support long-term stability and housing placement. Job Summary
The Mental Health Specialist works as a team member on a multidisciplinary homeless street outreach team, collaborating with social service professionals to ensure delivery of quality care in accordance with Los Angeles Department of Health Services standards and the Center’s mission. The role uses a flexible, “whatever it takes” approach and a strong clinical lens to connect people experiencing homelessness with mental health resources and services to obtain permanent housing. Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Provide street-based outreach, navigation, and mental health support to individuals experiencing homelessness. Assist clients in accessing community resources; establish and maintain professional relationships with staff, clients, and community providers. Provide mental health assessments and interventions for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Link clients to bridge/interim housing programs and assist with paperwork to enroll in permanent housing programs. Participate in staff meetings, trainings, conferences, program evaluation, and program development. Implement case management service plan goals with coordinated strategies for mental health/substance use issues, relapse prevention, medication management, and other risk factors affecting permanent housing; provide ongoing progress assessment. Build trust with individuals experiencing homelessness; assess using DSM-V criteria. Utilize a harm-reduction model when working with clients with substance use issues. Maintain organized files and enter data into HMIS; assist clients to enroll in mainstream benefits and obtain identification (e.g., California Driver’s License, Social Security Card). Operate a motor vehicle to transport clients as needed; provide bus tokens, passes, or taxis as required. Conduct daily follow-ups and wellness checks on existing and new referrals; participate in SPA 5 case conferencing and other community meetings; coordinate with other outreach teams. Attend to special requests from the Coordinated Entry Systems Team. These duties are examples of typical work; not all duties may be assigned. Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Highly motivated self-starter with the ability to communicate with diverse groups; strong organizational skills; ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Strong knowledge of homeless services and resources; experience with Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, Housing First, and Critical Time Intervention. Experience: Two years of street-based service experience with highly vulnerable populations. Experience conducting mental health assessments using DSM-V criteria. Education: Master’s Degree in social work, human services, or a related field from an accredited institution. Direct Reports:
This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. Computer Skills: MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); data entry in regional databases and Center databases. Certificates, Licenses & Registrations: BBS licensure or current registration; valid California Class C Driver License; valid automobile liability insurance. Travel Requirements: Travel to trainings around Los Angeles County and mobility within SPA-5. Work Environment: The work is primarily field-based in LA Service Planning Area 5. Reasonable accommodations may be made for disabilities. Office and field environments vary in noise levels depending on client location. Physical Demands: The role requires standing, sitting, walking, stooping, talking, hearing, reaching, keyboarding, and use of hands; occasional lifting up to 20 lbs. Reasonable accommodations are available. Additional Information
Status: Full-time; Exempt. Salary: DOE. Employment is contingent on satisfactory background check. To be considered, please submit a cover letter and resume. St. Joseph Center is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status. EEO information is voluntary. St. Joseph Center invites review of the current EEO poster; a link to the poster is provided here: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf
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Be among the first 25 applicants. Background information and program description are provided by St. Joseph Center, a nonprofit organization serving low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, and surrounding communities since 1976. The Center offers integrated housing, outreach, crisis intervention, and social services with a commitment to ending homelessness and poverty in Los Angeles. St. Joseph Center operates a multidisciplinary homeless street outreach program in the Westside of Los Angeles, focusing on Housing First while addressing broader needs to support long-term stability and housing placement. Job Summary
The Mental Health Specialist works as a team member on a multidisciplinary homeless street outreach team, collaborating with social service professionals to ensure delivery of quality care in accordance with Los Angeles Department of Health Services standards and the Center’s mission. The role uses a flexible, “whatever it takes” approach and a strong clinical lens to connect people experiencing homelessness with mental health resources and services to obtain permanent housing. Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Provide street-based outreach, navigation, and mental health support to individuals experiencing homelessness. Assist clients in accessing community resources; establish and maintain professional relationships with staff, clients, and community providers. Provide mental health assessments and interventions for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Link clients to bridge/interim housing programs and assist with paperwork to enroll in permanent housing programs. Participate in staff meetings, trainings, conferences, program evaluation, and program development. Implement case management service plan goals with coordinated strategies for mental health/substance use issues, relapse prevention, medication management, and other risk factors affecting permanent housing; provide ongoing progress assessment. Build trust with individuals experiencing homelessness; assess using DSM-V criteria. Utilize a harm-reduction model when working with clients with substance use issues. Maintain organized files and enter data into HMIS; assist clients to enroll in mainstream benefits and obtain identification (e.g., California Driver’s License, Social Security Card). Operate a motor vehicle to transport clients as needed; provide bus tokens, passes, or taxis as required. Conduct daily follow-ups and wellness checks on existing and new referrals; participate in SPA 5 case conferencing and other community meetings; coordinate with other outreach teams. Attend to special requests from the Coordinated Entry Systems Team. These duties are examples of typical work; not all duties may be assigned. Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Highly motivated self-starter with the ability to communicate with diverse groups; strong organizational skills; ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Strong knowledge of homeless services and resources; experience with Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, Housing First, and Critical Time Intervention. Experience: Two years of street-based service experience with highly vulnerable populations. Experience conducting mental health assessments using DSM-V criteria. Education: Master’s Degree in social work, human services, or a related field from an accredited institution. Direct Reports:
This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. Computer Skills: MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); data entry in regional databases and Center databases. Certificates, Licenses & Registrations: BBS licensure or current registration; valid California Class C Driver License; valid automobile liability insurance. Travel Requirements: Travel to trainings around Los Angeles County and mobility within SPA-5. Work Environment: The work is primarily field-based in LA Service Planning Area 5. Reasonable accommodations may be made for disabilities. Office and field environments vary in noise levels depending on client location. Physical Demands: The role requires standing, sitting, walking, stooping, talking, hearing, reaching, keyboarding, and use of hands; occasional lifting up to 20 lbs. Reasonable accommodations are available. Additional Information
Status: Full-time; Exempt. Salary: DOE. Employment is contingent on satisfactory background check. To be considered, please submit a cover letter and resume. St. Joseph Center is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status. EEO information is voluntary. St. Joseph Center invites review of the current EEO poster; a link to the poster is provided here: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf
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