Client Engagement Specialist (Rose Canyon), Safe Parking Program

Jewish Family Service of San Diego; United States; On-site; USD 27,552 - 28,929; Full time

Job summary

Jewish Family Service of San Diego is seeking a compassionate Client Engagement Specialist for the Rose Canyon Safe Parking Site. You will connect participants with resources, conduct intake tours, and maintain trauma‑informed support for individuals and families facing housing insecurity in San Diego County.

This full-time onsite role reports to the Site Supervisor and collaborates with internal teams and community partners to deliver high-quality, client-centered care.

Qualifications

• One-year experience in a similar role serving the underserved/unhoused population.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Skilled in navigating computer systems and databases.
• Ability to work a flexible overnight schedule, including weekends and holidays.
• Comfort working in environments with multiple languages.
• Experience in social services or housing/homelessness is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create a welcoming environment for Safe Parking participants.
• Guide participants to the parking location as they enter the lot.
• Complete intake tours, paperwork, and data entry into the ETOi database.
• Maintain logs and incident reports in a timely manner.
• Communicate concerns to the supervisor and connect clients to resources.
• Assist with resources for basic needs and program guidelines.
• Ensure program guidelines are followed and perform attendance checks.
• Mediating and resolving client concerns as needed.
• Respond promptly to safety or security incidents on site.

Skills

Communication skills

Computer literacy

Overnight flexibility

Bilingual English/Spanish

Tools

ETOi database

Job description

Position Overview

Jewish Family Service (JFS) is seeking a compassionate, mission-driven Client Engagement Specialist to join our Safe Parking Program team. In this rewarding nonprofit human services role, you will leverage your expertise in client engagement, resource navigation, community outreach, crisis intervention, and homelessness services to support individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity throughout San Diego County. As a key member of the Safe Parking team, you will create a welcoming, trauma‑informed environment for participants enrolling in the Rose Canyon Safe Parking Lot, connecting them with critical resources, housing support services, case management referrals, and community‑based programs that promote long‑term housing stability and self‑sufficiency. Reporting directly to the Site Supervisor, this position collaborates with internal teams and community partners to deliver high‑quality, client‑centered care while advancing JFS's mission to address homelessness, support underserved populations, strengthen families, and improve community well‑being across San Diego.

Responsibilities

• Creates a welcoming environment for all Safe Parking participants, current and potential
• Guide Participants to their parking location as they enter lot
• Completes intake tours, paperwork, and data entry into ETOi database
• Complete all agency logs and incident reports in a timely manner
• Appropriately communicate any concerns or issues to supervisor
• Assist participants with resources for basic needs or programmatic guideline clarification
• Ensure programmatic guidelines are being upheld and followed
• Conduct daily/nightly attendance checks
• Assist in mediating and resolving client concerns
• Provide immediate and professional response to any security /safety emergency or disturbance within the Safe Parking site
• Treat the parking lot like its home: know everyone who comes in and goes out, knows the needs of the clients and ensure they are connected to someone to get help
• Must be alert and active during your shift
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills/Experience/Abilities That Are a Must‑Have

• One-year experience in a similar role, or equivalent combination of training, education and experience serving the underserved/unhoused population
• Excellent communication skills
• Skilled in navigating computer systems, databases and mobile phone technology
• Ability to work a flexible overnight schedule, including weekends and holidays
• Comfort working in an environment where multiple languages are spoken
• Previous social service/housing/homeless experience is preferred, (worked or lived)
• Experience setting limits when working with stressed clients, often in some level of urgency and demonstrating good customer service skills
• Ability to show an unconditional positive regard for clients who turn to the Safe Parking Lot Program for support
• Must have the ability to walk/stand for long period of time
• Must have reliable transportation to work

Skills/Abilities We’d Like You to Have

• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

Physical Requirements

• Walk/ Navigate uneven terrain (Gravel Parking lots)
• Be able to lift 20-25 lbs
• Stand/Walk for long periods of time

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Position Title

Position Title: Client Engagement Specialist

Organization

Organization: Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Department

Department: PAHS/Safe Parking Program

Position Type

Position Type: Full-Time (37.5+ hours/week), Non-Exempt

Work Setting

Work Setting: Fully Onsite

Location

Location: Rose Canyon Site

Reports To

Reports To: Site Supervisor

Pay Range

Pay Range: $20 – $21/hour

Total Compensation

• Comprehensive, low-cost healthcare coverage for employees
• Generous employer 401(k) contributions
• Employer-covered life insurance

Time Away From Work

• Paid vacation time and sick leave
• 15 paid holidays, including Federal and Jewish holidays (as long as the holiday lands on a normal scheduled work day), and floating holidays
• 2 Wellness Days to be taken any time during the year to support employees’ mental wellness

About Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Jewish Family Service of San Diego is a client-centered, impact‑driven organization working to build a stronger, more resilient community. For over 100 years, Jewish Family Service has been a trusted resource for the entire community, offering an array of services that are always life‑changing, and often life‑saving. At Jewish Family Service, we believe our employees are the backbone of our Agency. We strive to ensure that each employee is treated with dignity and respect. Our goal is your success. Come work at JFS and be our partner in Moving Forward Together. To learn more about JFS, please visit jfssd.org.

*Jewish Family Service is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.