At Encompass Community Services we provide our community with a wide range of services related to family & social well-being, early childhood education, behavioral health, housing and more. Every day through these services we work to make health, education and housing more equitable for all people in Santa Cruz County. For more than 40 years our work has touched generations by helping people have access to education, rebuild relationships, restore their health and regain dignity.

Encompass’s Health & Housing service area exists to serve individuals who are challenged by loss, poverty, and stigma associated with a diagnosis of mental illness, HIV/AIDS or experience as a foster youth.

We believe that people can and do overcome the barriers that confront them, and that they have the capability to make their own choices for their lives and their recovery. As staff, we value and build on the talents, strengths, coping abilities and inherent worth of each individual, and we embody and nurture hope. Individuals served by Encompass Health & Housing increase their community participation, expand support networks, reduce hospitalizations, and improve the quality of their lives. Services include dual diagnosis treatment, mental health counseling, residential treatment, emergency shelter, case management, outreach and education, permanent supported housing, transitional housing, peer support, payee services, independent living support for former foster youth, and support for those with HIV/AIDS.

The Downtown Outreach Workers operate in close partnership with the County Homeless Outreach Proactive Engagement & Services (HOPES) team. We are looking for an individual who has direct experience working with homeless, seriously mentally ill, and substance use disordered populations and who can engage these individuals in a dialogue to encourage them in accessing community resources.

Job Summary:

We are looking for a full-time Mental Health Counselor for the Santa Cruz Downtown Outreach Worker program. Wages are $20.00 -$22.0 per hour, depending on experience, plus $1.00/hour differential for bilingual Spanish competence. Reporting to the DOW Program Manager, under close supervision, the Downtown Outreach Worker will provide services to people in the downtown corridor experiencing homelessness, including those experiencing co-occurring psychiatric illness and substance use disorders. The program supports these individuals in reducing the risk for psychiatric hospitalization and incarceration, while accessing services that can support them on the path to housing. Services include outreach, assessment and linkage to appropriate provider agencies and community resources. The Downtown Outreach Worker will have the knowledge and ability to make independent decisions. Special focus will be on the individual’s needs related to housing, health care, and issues of chemical dependency and mental health. Services will be delivered with dignity and respect for each individual and a commitment to their right of choice.

This position is for 4x 10-hour days per week, Wednesday-Saturday (current set schedule has some possibility of rearrangement, however one weekend day must be on schedule.)

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Outreach and engage persons experiencing homelessness in the Santa Cruz downtown corridor, including those with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
• Provide crisis support and intervention.
• Establish and maintain a working relationship with the downtown merchants and business community, law enforcement, downtown hospitality guides, the Veteran’s Administration and city officials.
• Develop relationships with, and link target population to appropriate support resources, including drug and alcohol treatment, health care, housing, mental health services, and homeless services.
• Provide education regarding homelessness and mental health to the downtown business community.
• Transport individuals (who may be malodorous or unkempt) to service providers.
• Complete required billing, referral and data documentation in a timely manner as required by the County, State, and agency.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field + 1 years’ professional experience working with homeless, mentally ill & substance use disordered populations
  • OR 5 year’s professional experience working with homeless, mentally ill & substance use disordered populations
• Knowledge of community resources in Santa Cruz County
• Knowledge of homelessness and surrounding issues in this County.
• Knowledge of Harm Reduction and a core value of client-centered service provision.
• Knowledge of Housing First model
• Ability to work in an intense environment dealing with varied personalities and cultures.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and complete tasks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid CA driver's license and clearance for agency vehicle insurance coverage.
• Criminal record clearance
• Demonstrated ability to constructively deal with a high degree of physical and emotional stress.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English highly desirable.
• Ability to be a team player, maintain effective working relationships and communicate in a respectful and professional manner when dealing with fellow employees, outside agencies and residents.
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required

Our total compensation package for eligible employees includes a comprehensive medical and dental insurance plan, 403(b) retirement plan. Paid time off includes paid holiday & sick time, and 17 days of paid vacation (pro-rated for part-time positions).

To apply, please make sure to provide a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position and demonstrating how your education and experience fits the needs of program goals and population.

Encompass Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. We are committed to excellence through diversity and strive to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all clients and employees.

Our programs recognize the value of racial, ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity and strive toward a culture of trauma-informed practice, with the overarching goal of ensuring that all services promote healing, and integrate the values and standards of providing culturally and linguistically approriate services.

If you require assistance applying on-line, we have computer terminals available at our 380 Encinal Street Suite 200 office in Santa Cruz, Tel: 831-469-1700, and at our 225 Westridge Drive location in Watsonville, Tel: 831-724-3885. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment.