Community Worker - Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations

City of Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Austin is seeking a Community Worker to build relationships and communicate with diverse community members and unhoused individuals. This field-based role focuses on outreach, connecting residents with essential services, shelter, and resources.

You will work with the Street and Community Outreach Team, engaging with residents in public spaces and encampments, and supporting access to basic needs and services through the Homeless Response System.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent.
• Minimum one year of outreach/social service experience.
• Preferred bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate activities of neighborhood centers i.e. public programs, assistance programs, crisis intervention, etc.
• Distribute USDA commodities.
• Write informational reports.
• Coordinate fundraising efforts.
• Record data on appropriate form/log, etc.
• Schedule use of meeting rooms, equipment, etc.
• Refer citizens to appropriate agency or program.
• Interview applicants and/or families to assess their need for assistance and/or resources.
• Speak as city representative before public groups.
• Conduct meetings.
• Develop and conduct public information and education programs.
• Review work for accuracy and completeness.
• Assign job duties and monitor task completion.
• Interview job applicants.

Skills

Record keeping

Safety practices

Relationship building

Community outreach

Needs assessment

Scheduling

Mathematical calculations

Applications & appeals

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Experience in outreach/social services

Job description

About This Position

Under general supervision, coordinate and perform a variety of community outreach activities.

Job Description:

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate activities of neighborhood centers i.e. public programs, assistance programs, crisis intervention, etc.
• Distribute USDA commodities.
• Write informational reports.
• Coordinate fundraising efforts.
• Record data on appropriate form/log, etc.
• Schedule use of meeting rooms, equipment, etc.
• Refer citizens to appropriate agency or program.
• Interview applicants and/or families to assess their need for assistance and/or resources.
• Speak as city representative before public groups.
• Conduct meetings.
• Develop and conduct public information and education programs.
• Review work for accuracy and completeness.
• Assign job duties and monitor task completion.
• Interview job applicants.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of record keeping procedures.
• Knowledge of proper safety practices, procedures and regulations applicable to work being performed.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
• Skill in determining needs of neighborhood residents through surveys and individual contact.
• Ability to schedule jobs to accomplish maximum effective work during a shift.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Ability to complete applications and appeals for assistance programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus one (1) year of experience in a field related to outreach work involving a variety of social service programs.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

None

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience working with the unhoused population or performing outreach with other community-based health organizations.
• Ability to hike long distances or uneven terrain including but not limited to parks, woods, and creeks.
• Bilingual: fluent in English/Spanish

Notes to Candidate:

Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations (HSO) is dedicated to addressing homelessness comprehensively and compassionately. HSO's vision is bold: Ensuring everyone has access to stable housing and the support they need to thrive. HSO is a trusted system leader, working collaboratively to ensure an efficient, accessible, and effective homelessness response. HSO makes investments that resolve individual experiences of homelessness and result in meaningful system changes and ensures that people experiencing homelessness have easy access to basic needs, outreach, crisis shelter, and other services to support survival and pathways to stable housing. Through public dialogue and intentional communication with stakeholders, HSO strengthens community trust, aligns efforts, and drives systemwide impact. HSO pursues a culture of continuous learning, creating a collaborative, supportive, and engaging workplace that centers on growth, development, and well-being.

About the Role:

The Community Worker position is about building relationships and communicating with a diverse range of people from community members to unhoused individuals. This position will spend most of its time out in the field, walking routes, and connecting with unhoused individuals who may need shelter or essential supplies.

About the Team:

The Street and Community Outreach (SCO) Team is part of Austin's Homeless Strategies and Operations division and connects unhoused residents with essential services and basic resources. Serving as a key entry point into the city's Homeless Response System, the team reaches people who may not otherwise engage with services by meeting them directly in encampments and public spaces. SCO operates three geographic teams across Austin and provides supplies, direct services, referrals, and pathways to stability. The team also supports the City's encampment management efforts by ensuring individuals are offered services before any enforcement occurs.

Benefits:

Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities, and more.