Community Worker - Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations

City of Austin; United States; On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare benefits

Job summary

The City of Austin is seeking a Community Worker to build relationships with community members and unhoused individuals, primarily in field settings. You will walk routes, connect residents with shelter or essential supplies, and support outreach programs across Austin’s Street and Community Outreach team.

Join a mission-driven department that serves a diverse population and partners with local organizations to ensure access to basic services.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent plus 1 year of outreach-related experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively and handle diverse community needs.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate activities of neighborhood centers and public programs.
• Distribute USDA commodities.
• Write informational reports.
• Coordinate fundraising efforts.
• Refer citizens to appropriate agency or program.
• Interview applicants to assess needs for assistance or resources.
• Represent the city at public groups.
• Schedule use of meeting rooms and equipment.
• Record data on forms/logs and related systems.
• Develop and conduct public information and education programs.

Skills

Record keeping

Safety practices

Relationship building

Needs assessment

Scheduling

Basic math

Applications/appeals processing

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

About This Position

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

Job Description

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities: Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned. 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.

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.

About HSO

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.

Location

505 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78704.

Hours

Monday - Friday 8AM - 5PM. Hours may vary depending on departmental needs and initiatives. Some evening, weekend and holiday work may be required.

Criminal Background Investigation

This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation.

90 Day Provision for Additional Vacancy

If the same or an additional vacancy occurs within the Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations Department in the same job title within 90 days after the start date of the top candidate, the additional position may be offered to another top candidate from the same candidate pool. This may include filling other vacancies with the same job title in other division/work locations within the Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations Department. Decisions on assigned selection may be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.

EEO Statement

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk. City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call [phone] or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.