Outreach Specialist - SEPTA SCOPE
Key details
- Salary
- $23.08/hr
- Location
- Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Work style
- Onsite
- Job type
- Full-time
- Function
- Operations & Strategy
- Focus area
- other
- Posted
- 2d ago
Skills
arcgisde-escalationehrincident reporting
About the role
Outreach Specialist -
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Safety, Cleaning, Ownership, Partnership and Engagement (SCOPE) Outreach Program
REPORTS TO
Outreach Program Manager
STATUS
Full-time | Hourly | Nonexempt | 40 hours/week
COMPENSATION
Up to $23.08/hour | budget maximum $48,000 annualized
SCHEDULE
Monday-Friday | assigned program shift: 5:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. or 10:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
WORK LOCATION
Field-based across the SEPTA service area; reports to assigned SEPTA station/location at shift start
TEAM MODEL
Two-person field teams; no solo deployment
PROGRAM FUNDING
Assigned to CATCH's SEPTA SCOPE program under a SEPTA service contract
Position Summary
The Outreach Specialist provides field-based outreach and engagement throughout the SEPTA system. Working in a two-person team, the Specialist engages people experiencing homelessness, mental or behavioral health challenges, substance-use concerns, poverty and other urgent needs; assesses immediate needs; offers voluntary services; connects people to care and shelter; coordinates safe transportation when services are accepted; and documents outreach activity in real time. Outreach Specialists are unarmed, have no law-enforcement authority and do not replace police or emergency medical response.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Report to the assigned SEPTA station/location at the beginning of the scheduled shift, complete required roll call/check-in and work throughout assigned SEPTA locations as directed.
Conduct outreach in assigned station areas and surrounding SEPTA property; engage individuals respectfully, assess immediate needs and offer appropriate shelter, behavioral-health, substance-use treatment, medical, housing and community-resource options.
Coordinate placements, transportation and warm handoffs when an eligible adult accepts services. Do not transport anyone under age 18; follow required procedures when a minor requests assistance.
Use de-escalation, trauma-informed and non-violent engagement practices. Disengage from confrontational situations and follow emergency procedures for violence or life-threatening medical situations.
Coordinate with SEPTA staff, Transit Police, other outreach providers, shelters, treatment providers, city/community agencies and CATCH programs within role boundaries.
Document field activity daily and in real time using approved mobile tools and required work-time location reporting; complete incident and other required reports accurately and on time.
Follow SEPTA station, platform, restroom, uniform, safety-vest, safety and quality-of-life protocols and applicable CATCH policies.
Hold a valid active driver's license. When assigned to drive, operate a CATCH vehicle only after completing CATCH's driver-authorization process and follow all CATCH vehicle requirements.
Participate in required staff meetings, supervision, training, refresher training and professional/credential development.
Perform other related duties within the scope of the position and program as needs evolve.
Minimum Qualifications: Two Accepted Pathways
Path 1 | Peer/recovery credential: Current Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Recovery Specialist credential.
Path 2 | Case-management education: Bachelor's or master's degree with major coursework in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, anthropology, criminal justice, theology, nursing, counseling or education.
CATCH will sponsor approved Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Recovery Specialist credential development after hire for eligible employees. Each deployed two-person team must meet the credential model CATCH committed to for the program.
Additional Job Requirements
Strong listening, communication, relationship-building and de-escalation judgment.
Reliable attendance and ability to report to the assigned SEPTA field location at the required shift start.
Ability to learn and use mobile technology, electronic documentation and work-time location reporting.
Ability to work consistently in a two-person field team and coordinate with multiple partner organizations.
Valid active driver's license.
Spanish or other professional bilingual ability is preferred, not required.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Required Before SEPTA Field Assignment
SEPTA platform/track-area safety training.
Pennsylvania involuntary emergency mental-health evaluation/commitment process training (commonly called '302' training); basic human immunodeficiency virus training; de-escalation and Handle with Care; cardiopulmonary resuscitation and First Aid; Adult Mental Health First Aid; naloxone/Narcan and opioid-overdose response; sexual-harassment prevention; person-first and cultural-sensitivity training; and required refreshers.
Program documentation, Homeless Management Information System, CATCH electronic health record, ArcGIS work-location reporting, incident reporting, emergency-response and transportation procedures.
Required SEPTA criminal/background, employment/reference and qualification/credential verification.
The final SCOPE drug-free requirement under the approved testing process.
Uniform, identification, safety equipment, CATCH device and required system access.
CATCH driver authorization before the employee operates a CATCH vehicle.
Conditions of Employment & SEPTA Assignment
Employment is conditioned on successful completion of the job-related screening, verification and clearance requirements that apply to the role. Starting paid employment with CATCH is separate from authorization to work in the SEPTA field. Where legally permitted and approved by Human Resources, an employee may begin CATCH orientation and paid training while field-readiness requirements are pending. SEPTA field work begins only after Human Resources and the Program Manager confirms all applicable field background, credential, training, drug-free, safety, technology and equipment requirements are complete. CATCH driver authorization must also be complete before an employee operates a CATCH vehicle.
Physical Requirements & Work Environment
This is an active public-transit field role. Essential work regularly involves walking and standing for extended periods, stairs, station platforms, vehicles, public spaces, variable weather, crowds and unpredictable conditions. Employees may work around individuals experiencing acute behavioral-health or substance-use concerns and individuals with limited access to hygiene or health care. CATCH provides required training and safety equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.
What Catch Offers
Medical, dental and vision coverage for eligible full-time employees.
Paid time off and CATCH holidays under current policy; life and disability benefits when eligible under plan terms.
403(b) retirement savings under plan terms; tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 annually after eligibility.
Employee Assistance Program resources and access to the CATCH Fitness Center.
CATCH-provided technology, training, safety equipment and program tools needed for the role.
For eligible Outreach Specialists, CATCH will sponsor approved Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Recovery Specialist credential development after hire.
Equal Opportunity + Hiring Process
Equal opportunity. CATCH, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications and business needs and are made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, Pennsylvania or Philadelphia law.
Reasonable accommodations. CATCH provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees as required by law. Applicants who need an accommodation during the application or interview process may contact Human Resources.
Fair Chance hiring. Any job-related criminal background screening will occur after a conditional offer and in accordance with applicable law.
General notice. This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected. It is not an exhaustive list of every duty and does not create a contract of employment. Responsibilities may change based on program and business needs. Employment with CATCH is at will, subject to applicable law.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Safety, Cleaning, Ownership, Partnership and Engagement (SCOPE) Outreach Program
REPORTS TO
Outreach Program Manager
STATUS
Full-time | Hourly | Nonexempt | 40 hours/week
COMPENSATION
Up to $23.08/hour | budget maximum $48,000 annualized
SCHEDULE
Monday-Friday | assigned program shift: 5:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. or 10:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
WORK LOCATION
Field-based across the SEPTA service area; reports to assigned SEPTA station/location at shift start
TEAM MODEL
Two-person field teams; no solo deployment
PROGRAM FUNDING
Assigned to CATCH's SEPTA SCOPE program under a SEPTA service contract
Position Summary
The Outreach Specialist provides field-based outreach and engagement throughout the SEPTA system. Working in a two-person team, the Specialist engages people experiencing homelessness, mental or behavioral health challenges, substance-use concerns, poverty and other urgent needs; assesses immediate needs; offers voluntary services; connects people to care and shelter; coordinates safe transportation when services are accepted; and documents outreach activity in real time. Outreach Specialists are unarmed, have no law-enforcement authority and do not replace police or emergency medical response.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Report to the assigned SEPTA station/location at the beginning of the scheduled shift, complete required roll call/check-in and work throughout assigned SEPTA locations as directed.
Conduct outreach in assigned station areas and surrounding SEPTA property; engage individuals respectfully, assess immediate needs and offer appropriate shelter, behavioral-health, substance-use treatment, medical, housing and community-resource options.
Coordinate placements, transportation and warm handoffs when an eligible adult accepts services. Do not transport anyone under age 18; follow required procedures when a minor requests assistance.
Use de-escalation, trauma-informed and non-violent engagement practices. Disengage from confrontational situations and follow emergency procedures for violence or life-threatening medical situations.
Coordinate with SEPTA staff, Transit Police, other outreach providers, shelters, treatment providers, city/community agencies and CATCH programs within role boundaries.
Document field activity daily and in real time using approved mobile tools and required work-time location reporting; complete incident and other required reports accurately and on time.
Follow SEPTA station, platform, restroom, uniform, safety-vest, safety and quality-of-life protocols and applicable CATCH policies.
Hold a valid active driver's license. When assigned to drive, operate a CATCH vehicle only after completing CATCH's driver-authorization process and follow all CATCH vehicle requirements.
Participate in required staff meetings, supervision, training, refresher training and professional/credential development.
Perform other related duties within the scope of the position and program as needs evolve.
Minimum Qualifications: Two Accepted Pathways
Path 1 | Peer/recovery credential: Current Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Recovery Specialist credential.
Path 2 | Case-management education: Bachelor's or master's degree with major coursework in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, anthropology, criminal justice, theology, nursing, counseling or education.
CATCH will sponsor approved Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Recovery Specialist credential development after hire for eligible employees. Each deployed two-person team must meet the credential model CATCH committed to for the program.
Additional Job Requirements
Strong listening, communication, relationship-building and de-escalation judgment.
Reliable attendance and ability to report to the assigned SEPTA field location at the required shift start.
Ability to learn and use mobile technology, electronic documentation and work-time location reporting.
Ability to work consistently in a two-person field team and coordinate with multiple partner organizations.
Valid active driver's license.
Spanish or other professional bilingual ability is preferred, not required.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Required Before SEPTA Field Assignment
SEPTA platform/track-area safety training.
Pennsylvania involuntary emergency mental-health evaluation/commitment process training (commonly called '302' training); basic human immunodeficiency virus training; de-escalation and Handle with Care; cardiopulmonary resuscitation and First Aid; Adult Mental Health First Aid; naloxone/Narcan and opioid-overdose response; sexual-harassment prevention; person-first and cultural-sensitivity training; and required refreshers.
Program documentation, Homeless Management Information System, CATCH electronic health record, ArcGIS work-location reporting, incident reporting, emergency-response and transportation procedures.
Required SEPTA criminal/background, employment/reference and qualification/credential verification.
The final SCOPE drug-free requirement under the approved testing process.
Uniform, identification, safety equipment, CATCH device and required system access.
CATCH driver authorization before the employee operates a CATCH vehicle.
Conditions of Employment & SEPTA Assignment
Employment is conditioned on successful completion of the job-related screening, verification and clearance requirements that apply to the role. Starting paid employment with CATCH is separate from authorization to work in the SEPTA field. Where legally permitted and approved by Human Resources, an employee may begin CATCH orientation and paid training while field-readiness requirements are pending. SEPTA field work begins only after Human Resources and the Program Manager confirms all applicable field background, credential, training, drug-free, safety, technology and equipment requirements are complete. CATCH driver authorization must also be complete before an employee operates a CATCH vehicle.
Physical Requirements & Work Environment
This is an active public-transit field role. Essential work regularly involves walking and standing for extended periods, stairs, station platforms, vehicles, public spaces, variable weather, crowds and unpredictable conditions. Employees may work around individuals experiencing acute behavioral-health or substance-use concerns and individuals with limited access to hygiene or health care. CATCH provides required training and safety equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.
What Catch Offers
Medical, dental and vision coverage for eligible full-time employees.
Paid time off and CATCH holidays under current policy; life and disability benefits when eligible under plan terms.
403(b) retirement savings under plan terms; tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 annually after eligibility.
Employee Assistance Program resources and access to the CATCH Fitness Center.
CATCH-provided technology, training, safety equipment and program tools needed for the role.
For eligible Outreach Specialists, CATCH will sponsor approved Certified Peer Specialist or Certified Recovery Specialist credential development after hire.
Equal Opportunity + Hiring Process
Equal opportunity. CATCH, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications and business needs and are made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, Pennsylvania or Philadelphia law.
Reasonable accommodations. CATCH provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees as required by law. Applicants who need an accommodation during the application or interview process may contact Human Resources.
Fair Chance hiring. Any job-related criminal background screening will occur after a conditional offer and in accordance with applicable law.
General notice. This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected. It is not an exhaustive list of every duty and does not create a contract of employment. Responsibilities may change based on program and business needs. Employment with CATCH is at will, subject to applicable law.
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