Outreach Specialist

Keys to Change; Area B (Cayoosh/Pavilion); On-site; CAD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization is seeking a Homeless Outreach Specialist to engage with individuals experiencing homelessness primarily outdoors or in shelters. The role involves connecting clients to crucial services, managing caseloads, and conducting vulnerability assessments. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal skills and a passion for helping others. This position offers a dynamic work environment and the opportunity to make an impactful difference in the community.

Benefits

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Paid Time Off

403b plan

Flexible schedule

Qualifications

• Experience with homelessness or housing insecurity is valued.
• Ability to think quickly and adapt to evolving situations.
• Strong interpersonal skills to engage compassionately.

Responsibilities

• Engage clients experiencing homelessness to connect them with services.
• Manage a caseload of 14-16 clients.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments to determine service needs.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Strong communication

Crisis de-escalation

Motivational interviewing

Job description

Are you ready to change lives together? Join the Keys to Change team! From the front lines to the back office, our mission to end homelessness is only possible through the hard work, talent, and expertise of our diverse and dynamic staff.

A career with Keys to Change is an opportunity to be the difference you want to see in the world. We offer a competitive total compensation package including medical, dental, life, paid holidays, vacation and personal time, and the satisfaction of giving hope and transforming lives.

Find your fit – let’s change lives together.

Keys to Change is activating a diverse and inclusive team with a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills to support the incredible diversity of the clients we serve. Beyond “prerequisites” and “minimum qualifications,” your unique combination of passion, lived experience, and/or education/work history may make you the perfect fit for Keys to Change.

Location: Phoenix

Job Id:128

# of Openings:1

Become a Part of Something Big!

Our mission at the Keys to Change campus is to create a safe, engaging, holistic community

that empowers people to end their homelessness and create positive, long-term changes.

We offer a dynamic work environment where your ideas and critical thinking skills will be valued

and your contributions will directly influence the lives of those in need.

We are looking for individuals who are ready to be part of somethingbigger than themselves,

whowant to challenge the status quo.

At Keys to Change, your work will matter,your voice will be heard,and together,

we will transform lives and strengthen communities

Keys to Change is an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers an attractive health and benefits package for our employees, including Health, Dental, Long- and Short-Term Disability, and Life insurance (employee only), Paid Time Off, 403b, 8 Paid Holidays, and flexible schedule.

Summary
The Homeless Outreach Specialist is responsible for reaching and engaging clients who are currently ineligible for Single Adult Coordinated Entry Housing referrals, focusing on unsheltered individuals. Outreach is conducted primarily outdoors or in emergency shelters within Keys to Change's assigned geographical areas. This role involves connecting clients to critical services such as employment, healthcare, and financial assistance to support their journey toward self-resolving homelessness. Additionally, the Homeless Outreach Specialist will collaborate closely with agencies across Maricopa County, fostering interagency partnerships to enhance collective outreach efforts. By connecting with various organizations, the Homeless Outreach Specialist will work to maximize resource accessibility, leverage shared expertise, and coordinate outreach strategies that expand the reach and impact of services for individuals experiencing homelessness.

II. Essential Functions

• Manage and support a caseload of 14-16 clients experiencing homelessness, focusing on self-resolving homelessness as indicated by current community priorities.
• Willingness to adjust schedule one day a week to perform a region-based count of unsheltered individuals at 4am
• Guide clients in obtaining necessary housing documents, including Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI) evaluations, State Identification, Birth Certificates, and documentation of disabilities.
• Connect clients to appropriate services based on assessed needs, including but not limited to healthcare, financial assistance, and employment support.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments (VI-SPDAT and SPDAT) to determine appropriate services and levels of support.
• Collect and maintain accurate client demographic information, securing appropriate releases of information.
• Facilitate seamless transitions ("warm handoffs") into necessary service programs, enhancing client engagement and support.
• Screen for eligibility for Social Security Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) and employment services, and provide referrals as appropriate.
• Document all client interactions and case updates in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) promptly and accurately.
• Deliver services that align with harm reduction principles, progressive engagement, low-barrier eligibility standards, trauma-informed care, and national best practices.
• Engage clients using evidence-based techniques, including motivational interviewing, conflict resolution, and crisis de-escalation.
• Work closely with internal staff and external partners, offering entry points, in-reach, outreach, engagement, and housing services as necessary.
• Coordinate with other outreach teams across Maricopa County to identify and reach underserved populations, share resources, and optimize engagement with clients experiencing homelessness through a collaborative, county-wide effort.
• Participate actively in multi-agency outreach meetings, identifying collective strategies to improve resource accessibility and client outreach.
• Uphold adherence to all Keys to Change policies and attend any training established for the department. Promptly report policy violations to immediate supervisors.
• Attend required staff meetings and organizational events, supporting a unified approach to service delivery.
• Follow all workplace policies, including those regarding work hours, break periods, and proper use of the payroll and benefits system.
• Other duties as assigned.

III. Minimum Qualifications

Lived experience with homelessness or housing insecurity is strongly valued, along with experience or interest in working with individuals experiencing homelessness or other vulnerable populations.

Ability to think quickly, adapt to evolving situations, and collaborate with clients to develop creative solutions to overcome barriers.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively and compassionately with clients from diverse backgrounds, including those facing mental health, substance use, and other barriers.

Commitment to working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse backgrounds and lifestyles.

Willingness to learn and receive training in relevant areas such as vulnerability assessments, trauma-informed care, and motivational interviewing.

Required Functional Abilities

• Willingness to work 75% outdoors, including in high heat and inclement weather, within an assigned geographical area.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills (Spanish proficiency is a plus).
• Valid Arizona State Driver’s License required due to significant travel.
• Visual acuity to manage records and reports, including computer-generated and handwritten documents.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with the highest level of confidentiality and sound judgment.
• Physical mobility sufficient to perform regular duties within standard office settings.
• Capability to lift up to 20 pounds, as needed, for managing office supplies and equipment.

Using the Power of Collaboration to Create Solutions to End Homelessness

Values:

We are guided by our belief in dignity, diversity, innovation, creativity, empowerment, community, responsibility, and collaboration.

Phoenix Location:

Key Campus
204 S. 12th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85007
[phone]

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Keys to Change will recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to age, color, disability, gender (including gender identity), marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or other statuses protected by applicable law. In addition, all personnel actions such as compensation, promotion, demotion, benefits, transfers, staff reductions, terminations, reinstatement and rehire, company-sponsored training, education and tuition assistance, social and recreational programs will be administered in accordance with the principles of equal employment opportunity.