Community Health Specialist 2 - Housing

Multnomah County; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-funded retirement savings

Health and dental insurance

Paid parental leave

Wellness programs

Focus on work-life balance

Job summary

Multnomah County Health Department is hiring an Outreach Specialist to bridge addiction recovery and housing. You will conduct outreach in SUD treatment settings and shelters, refer clients to housing services, and collaborate with partners to connect clients with needed resources.

Preferred candidates have CHW/PSS/PWS certification, CPR/BLS, and strong equity-focused communication. This hourly union position offers benefits and room to impact community health and housing stability.

Qualifications

• Education/Training: Associate's degree or equivalent experience.
• License: BLS CPR certification required by hire date.
• Driver's license: valid and access to a vehicle.
• KSA: Oregon CHW/PSS/PWS certification.
• Background check: may include fingerprinting.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct outreach to individuals in SUD treatment and shelters and refer to housing services.
• Conduct street and shelter outreach and build provider partnerships.
• Document services and coordinate care with HIPAA-compliant records.
• Participate in team and cross-agency meetings to improve services.

Skills

BLS CPR Certification

HIPAA compliance

Equity lens

Compassionate communication

Education

Associate's degree or higher

CHW/PSS/PWS certification

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR) system

Job description

Overview

THIS WORK MATTERS! We are expanding our Outreach Specialist team and have a couple of positions available at the Multnomah County Health Department to help bridge the gap between addiction recovery and permanent housing. Join us in building a culture of trust, respect, and equal opportunity for every community member we serve. The primary purpose of this position is to conduct outreach within Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment and other SUD services and shelters within Multnomah County. The goal is to increase the number of unhoused individuals leaving SUD services to access housing. Identified individuals will be offered PATH (Promoting Access to Hope) services and additional community services providers that can address their immediate needs. This role will collaborate with internal and external partners, and develop and implement strategies to meet those needs.

Outreach and Partnership Building

• Provide direct outreach within SUD treatment and other SUD services within Multnomah County and refer those individuals to housing services
• Conduct outreach including street and shelter outreach
• Essential to this position will be to build and maintain relationships with the various provider organizations and shelters from which referrals will be received
• Work with groups of clients to help them move from addiction towards recovery by helping them receive the housing necessary for them to stay in recovery

Team Collaboration

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with team members and assigned communities
• Participate in regular team, group and individual case conferences
• Maintain effective relations and regularly collaborate and communicate with patients, community partners and co-workers
• Understand the challenges of individuals and families of varied ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic background, and ages
• Knowledge and experience working with individuals using compassionate communication and empathy
• Provide direct outreach activities to individuals experiencing street homelessness while connecting to behavioral and health services
• Participate on committees and workgroups with internal and external partners to communicate and improve program services and outreach

Documentation

Complete and maintain all required documentation in the assigned tracking sheet and/or assigned electronic health record, and any other required data systems. Follow reporting requirements for documentation of any services provided and coordination of care with internal and external organizations. Ensure that data and electronic records maintain client confidentiality and adhere to Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements.

Quality Improvement

Attend and participate in collaborative outreach meetings with internal and external stakeholders to build‑out and improve new or existing programs, services and events to support the PATH Program and the community. Provide feedback and suggestions to leadership, community-based agencies, etc. for ways to evaluate and improve services and service delivery to meet client, community and program needs and requirements.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Education/Training: Equivalent to an associate's degree and one (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. (Equivalency 3-6 years of qualifying training and/or experience).
• Attach a copy of the required license/ certifications.
• Valid Driver’s License - Access to a vehicle must be able to travel around.
• BLS CPR Certification with the American Heart Association (AHA) or similar agency - more information can be found at the AHA website. Current BLS - CPR (Required - must have by date of hire).
• KSA: Certification in Oregon as a Community Health Worker (CHW), Peer Support Specialist (PSS) or Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS).
• Other: This position requires a background investigation, which may include being fingerprinted.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated proficiency in Motivational Interviewing, Nonviolent Communication (NVC), de‑escalation tactics, and crisis intervention techniques.
• Working knowledge of client confidentiality laws, including HIPAA compliance.
• Housing navigation experience specifically serving individuals experiencing substance use disorders (SUD), severe mental illness, or unsheltered homelessness.
• Experience with reporting and documentation in electronic health records system.
• Understands cultural, racial and ethnic factors, including systemic advantage or disadvantage; acculturation, intergenerational immigrant family challenges, effects of trauma during immigration, war, separation from family and/or primary supports, detention, refugee camps, etc.; generational trauma, and any factors related to non‑dominant culture affecting mental health and treatment.
• Ability to apply an equity, intersectional and anti‑racist lens.
• Knowledge of cultures, customs and social experiences of communities experiencing marginalization and barriers to opportunity.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, diplomacy, and tact in dealing with sensitive, complex, confidential information and situations, in addition to acting professionally, and empathically, with individuals, internal/external partners and communities.

Salary and Benefits

Pay Range: $28.45 - $34.99 Hourly

Salary/Pay: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Type of Position: This hourly union-represented position is eligible for overtime.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm

• employer-funded retirement savings
• health and dental insurance at very low cost to full‑time employees and their dependents
• paid parental leave
• wellness programs
• a focus on work‑life balance

And much more. Find more details on our benefits website.

Our Commitment to Safety, Trust, and Belonging

Multnomah County is committed to developing, nurturing and continually improving workforce equity by identifying and addressing the structural and policy barriers to equal employment opportunity faced by our employees and communities. County employees across the organization have stepped forward to develop a strategic plan and help create a workplace where everyone can reach their full potential. Learn more by reading our Workforce Equity Strategic Plan and exploring our Core Competencies for all County employees Serving the Public, Even During Disasters.

Diversity and Inclusion

We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals. Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation

We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Job Profile: 6047 - Community Health Specialist 2

Current Multnomah County employees must apply within Workday.

We're glad you are considering a career that gives back and supports the community. Working for Multnomah County means having the opportunity to make a real difference in the community, no matter what position you hold. We provide a wide array of essential services including health, community justice, roads, elections, libraries, jails, bridges, tax and assessment, marriage licenses, animal services, mental health and addiction services and more. Our organization’s top priority is to meet the many needs of our residents. Learn more about who we are, what we do, and why it matters.