Housing Community Liaison - Rapid Rehousing at LifeWorks Austin in Austin, Texas

Job Description:

LifeWorks of Austin, TX is looking for a Housing Community Liaison to join our Rapid Rehousing team! This position works collaboratively with youth in the Rapid Re-Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing programs to co-design and implement activities/events that will provide enhanced opportunities for youth engagement, relationship-building, and meaningful community connections for The Works clients. This position will also be conducting initial outreach attempts with youth and young adults up to age 25 to expedite the process of enrollment into a housing program. The Housing Community Liaison will integrate a positive youth development framework and incorporate other effective engagement strategies into the planning and implementation of community activities.

This full time, non-exempt position earns a competitive rate and benefits; 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

• Travels in the community to establish outreach opportunities and to host activities at multiple LifeWorks sites and community locations.


• Identifies and locates areas where youth camp or congregate and partner with other homeless services providers as needed. 


• Distributes basic needs items, harm reduction items, and connects youth to resources that can support their goals and needs. 


•  Performs targeted outreach when a youth is pulled for housing and assists in navigation.


• Effectively manages crisis situations through assessing and acting in accordance with standards and laws in emergency situations involving the health and safety of youth. 


• Partners with the Development team to collaborate on quarterly events engaging donors, staff, and clients.


• Leads in the planning of The Works quarterly events, such as the community garden, the Tenants Council, and monthly Newsletter.


• Utilizes creativity and collaboration with staff to plan and promote, create flyers, and develop engaging activities for each community event.


• Serves as a liaison between program staff and The Works staff/property management to aid in the application and lease signing process for youth.


• Establishes and maintains safe and engaging learning environments, and promotes opportunities for belonging, safety, structure, positive social norms, skill building, and contribution.


• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with staff, the Works Case Manager, community contacts and other service providers, and attends internal and external collaborative meetings.


• Interacts regularly with agency staff, volunteers, donors, and/or client populations in a professional manner and maintains confidentiality in line with agency policies.


• May periodically meet with individual clients, as needed, to establish a safe, healthy relationship for learning, problem-solving, and participating in community activities.


• Practices professional boundaries with clients and partners and maintain positive relationships. 


• Prepares documentation of plans and activities to ensure compliance with contracts and agency requirements.


• Maintains timely, complete, and accurate data entry in program/agency database.


• Prepares for, and actively participates in, supervision meetings and all other required meetings or trainings.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in social or behavior sciences or education or a related field;


• Requires 1+ year of related experience with youth; or


• Equivalent combination of education and experience.


• Experience with databases; proficient level experience with Microsoft Office including, Word, Excel, and Outlook.


• Preferred experience includes working with youth and young adults from diverse backgrounds and communities and group facilitation techniques. 


• Preferred exposure to or experience implementing a youth development model (5 Cs).


• Preferred experience working with youth who have complex needs that may require the involvement of multiple child-serving systems (mental health, developmental disabilities, child welfare, juvenile justice, chemical dependency, special education).


• Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred for this role.

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, we are a fearless advocate for youth and families seeking their path to self-sufficiency. LifeWorks goal is to be able to provide clients with the resources they need a place to call home, the chance to heal, and the opportunity to learn and to work. We have one of the most comprehensive continuums of housing and support options for vulnerable youth in the country. We are committed to innovative problem solving, shared accountability and a relentless focus on achieving real, sustainable, and measurable results for the clients we serve. A career at LifeWorks offers opportunities to grow and develop your professional skills while making an immediate difference in the lives of youth and families in our community.

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