Transit Outreach Safe Ride Specialist

Description

JOB SUMMARY:

The Safe Ride Specialists for Crisis Intervention Pilot is being launched through CTA’s (Chicago Transit Authority) Innovation Studio to test and refine various non-law enforcement, trauma-informed responses that seek to enhance safety for all riders and CTA personnel while promoting dignity and support. Housing Forward is partnering with CTA and other community partners to launch a pilot. project  

The Safe Ride Specialists will engage riders and individuals in need on CTA rail cars, at CTA rail stations, and in locations directly surrounding CTA rail stations (e.g. bus turnarounds or bus stops) and provide proactive outreach, crisis intervention, de-escalation, service referrals, and warm hand-offs. Safe Ride Specialist will perform this work in coordination with CTA administrative resources, frontline staff and security personnel, including contractors, as well as third-party organizations (e.g. Chicago Police Department, etc.). Housing Forward and its partners will provide services on the Green Line trains between the Central and Harlem stations.  

Outreach

• Ride the CTA Green Line between Harlem Station and Central Station Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 3:30pm to 1:30am and Saturday 4:30pm to 12:00am working in dyads with other project partners to engage riders and provide assistance on the trains and in locations directly surrounding the CTA rail stations.
• Maintain office hours to prepare for outreach on the train, complete administrative tasks including data entry and documentation, follow up with internal and external partners.
• Establish rapport and reduce harm by providing critical resources such as food, water, clothing, blankets, and other necessities.
• Determine the person’s immediate safety needs and provide assistance 
• Provide crisis intervention, and other skills and strategies as needed for engagement using a trauma informed approach.
• Perform assessments and offer connection to shelter services. Provide a warm hand to shelter staff and/or provide ongoing case management services to address underlying needs. Ensure connection with CE dedicated assessors to assess ongoing housing needs.  
• When indicated, provide assistance to get the rider to medical centers, behavioral health hospitals or other appropriate institutions.  
• Contact appropriate CTA personnel in emergency and when indicated by the agreement with the CTA. 
• Distribute informational materials to community stakeholders
• Work as a team with the other Safe Ride Specialist from other partner agencies.

Service and Housing Coordination Responsibilities: 

• Make immediate connections to emergency shelters or temporary housing to provide safe options while individuals and families are on a pathway toward stability.
• Perform warm handoffs to shelter, housing, and service providers including accompanying riders to medical centers and/or other facilities. 

Partnership Relationships:

• Work with the staff of Loyola Street Medicine, Live4Lali, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Thrive Counseling Center.
• Communicate and cooperate with staff from other Housing Forward programs as needed to ensure seamless delivery of service to clients.
• Attend mandatory weekly meetings with the CTA and other agencies involved in the Safe Ride Programs. 
• Establish working relationships with community stakeholders - law enforcement, libraries, first responders, hospitals, health and behavioral providers, townships, homeless education liaisons, faith-based organizations, and other community-based providers.
• Attend and represent the agency at Street Outreach Coalition and other partnership meetings as assigned.

Documentation and Trainings:

• Log activities and time as required by the agency and its funders.
• Attend team and agency meetings.
• Complete required training including CTA mandated training 
• Collect and maintain required program documentation and datainput into HMIS and Salesforce systems and agency SharePoint site. 
• Other tasks as assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:                                                                                                             

Education: BA, B.S. Advanced degree or credential or certification in Social Work, Family Services, Human Services, Counseling or in related field; with a minimum of one year experience. Individuals with lived experience and two years’ working in related fields will also be considered. 

Required: 

• This position requires a flexible schedule that may include evening and weekend hours.
• Driver’s license, clean driving record, auto insurance, and access to personal vehicle.
• Must have smartphone to utilize Agency communications and collaboration tools.
• Mindful of racial and other inequities and disparities among people experiencing homelessness and tailor and customize their efforts to ensure that equity is being achieved within their outreach activities and outcomes.
• Adept at problem-solving to identify strengths and existing support networks, explore possible safe housing options outside the homelessness service system, such as reunification with family, and connect the individual to community agencies and services.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• A basic understanding of the many individual and systems factors that contribute to homelessness.
• Bilingual Spanish and English fluency highly desirable.
• Encounters and interactions are respectful and responsive to the beliefs and practices, sexual orientations, disability statuses, age, gender identities, cultural preferences, and linguistic needs of all individuals.
• Follow safety protocols as established by the CTA and partner agencies
• Awareness of and for vulnerable populations including individuals fleeing intimate violence, sexual assault, trafficking, or prostitution.
• Sensitivity to cultural diversity is required to communicate and cooperate with diverse families, various professionals, and community groups.
• Understanding and application of a trauma-informed care approach.
• Exercises discretion and independent judgment in executing tasks.
• Must demonstrate the ability to establish helping relationships with individuals with medical conditions, substance use disorders, and behavioral health issues. 
• Proficient in utilizing trauma-informed care, de-escalation, and crisis-intervention techniques.
• Ability to keep appointments punctually, be organized, and demonstrate accountability and follow-through.
• Openness to new ideas and skills and commitment to learning through reading and with hands-on training.
• Ability to problem-solve and make decisions in chaotic and/or stressful situations.
• Strong interpersonal and direct communication skills.
• Good communication and listening skills 
• Represent the agency in a professional and ethical manner.
• Ability to maintain an active team approach with all staff in all work-related situations and with the staff of other agencies/organizations. 
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Competent in Microsoft Office tools and inputting services in an online database.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms balance, stoop, kneel or crouch, walk stairs, drive a vehicle and use a computer. 

ENVIRONMENT/WORKING CONDITIONS:

This position operates in a professional office work environment, on trains operated by the Chicago Transit Authority, emergency departments, and on the streets in various communities. Work schedules and/or locations may vary, depending on the department's schedule needs. May be required to attend meetings at other locations; require travel outside of normal work hours. This position requires constant traveling and driving in western Cook County. Ability to tolerate being outdoors in all weather for several hours at a time.

 Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.  

Housing Forward does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability. 

Job descriptions are not intended and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties, as necessary. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.