ROOTS Team Lead
POSITION SUMMARY
The Reaching Out on the Streets (ROOTS) Program aims to reduce the prevalence of homelessness by addressing the social determinants of health, opening opportunities for personal agency, and intervening in critical moments of crisis to reduce criminal legal interactions, increase access to services, and reduce fatal overdoses. The staffing and organizational plan consists of both site and outreach workers who work citywide to help unhoused and unstably housed people to be healthy and safe while homeless through case management, referrals to services, addressment of daily living needs, criminal justice navigation, and follow-up care coordination.
Our staff will facilitate non-coercive service connection based on the client’s priorities; staff use motivational interviewing, unconditional positive regard, assertive engagement, trust and reciprocity to build relationships and meet client goals.
The ROOTS Team Lead position will be responsible for the daily supervision of site and outreach staff who support the unhoused and unstably housed people. The successful incumbent will possess expert familiarity with the challenges facing this community, and expertise in both administrative and field leadership. Current ROOTS sites are located in the Northside, Downtown and East Liberty, respectively in Police Zones 1, 2, and 5.
Department: Office of Community Health & Safety
Salary: $71,905 per year.
- WORK EXPERIENCE: The application must clearly show five (5) years of full-time experience in social services, criminal justice, healthcare street outreach, or a related field.
- EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show a high school diploma or equivalent. A bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, direct care, criminal justice, or human development is preferred.
POSITION DUTIES
- Supervises site and outreach staff.
- Primarily provides support to one ROOTS site but supports other sites throughout the City of Pittsburgh as directed.
- Provides guidance and day-to-day support for team members by facilitating supervisions, team meetings, and addressing any training needs with the team.
- Elevates site and team feedback to ROOTS Program Manager to address resource gaps and continuously enhance service provided to program participants.
- Documents service encounters, client information, and outcome tracking in relevant software using proper case management protocols.
- Coordinates medical outreach rounds with external street medicine providers to address physical and mental health needs.
- Facilitates referral processes with in-patient shelters and communicates with social service providers or crisis response teams as necessary.
- Facilitates case conferencing with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and engages with public safety stakeholders; maintains contact with Zone Police, Fire and EMS.
- Facilitates the distribution of harm reduction supplies.
- Responds to and triages requests for assistance from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, serving as a direct contact for the Co-Response team.
- Performs other duties as assigned or required.