The Consumer Advocate, Outreach works with people experiencing street homelessness and living with chronic medical conditions in Brooklyn with the objective of engaging individuals to connect them to appropriate social and medical services and, ultimately, to help improve their overall health and wellbeing and secure appropriate housing solutions.

The Consumer Advocate, Outreach will build a relationship with clients utilizing motivational interviewing to encourage the client to work towards self-identified housing, health, and other goals. The Consumer Advocate, Outreach will spend most of the shift in the field either in an automobile and/or on foot conducting street outreach, accompanying clients to appointments, and/or following up on service referrals. The incumbent will conduct necessary assessments, engage the client in self-directed service planning, and enter all required data into required database(s).  

This position has a 35-hour work week and will work fully onsite at a program site/in the field.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Engage with identified persons currently experiencing homelessness and living with chronic medical conditions in Brooklyn Draw on lived experience of homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues to build rapport with clients and develop appropriate service connections  Conduct required assessments  Attend clinical supervision and training  Maintain record keeping in compliance with agency standards as well as those of City and State agencies  Collaborate with Parks Dept., NYPD, DSNY, MTA, and other agencies  Accompany clients to appointments and follow up on service referrals  Perform other related duties as assigned   

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Two years of related experience  Lived experience with homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues and willingness to appropriately use lived experience as a tool for building client rapport and developing service connection  Knowledge of local benefit agencies (e.g., Public Assistance) and familiarity with substance abuse, mental health, immigration, and employment resources Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders  Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and electronic record keeping  Valid NY, NJ, CT, or PA driver’s license with a good driving record, as defined by Breaking Ground, is a condition of employment Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred