Crisis Outreach Specialist

The Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida in Orlando seeks a Crisis Outreach Specialist to identify homeless individuals, build rapport, and connect them to essential services and rapid housing options.

Under supervision, you will develop service plans, link clients to resources, and advocate for timely shelter exits into permanent housing while maintaining HMIS documentation. This is an hourly, full-time role requiring field and office work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent background with five years of experience in homelessness, poverty, housing, mental health, and human services.
• Knowledge of HUD guidelines, policies, and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Work in the community via outreach van 3–5 days a week, typically at different agencies and organizations.
• Perform program enrollment with new clients at initial community impact visit or phone call and complete Crisis Outreach Triage form and necessary data.
• Ensure clients are oriented to community outreach practices and protocols.
• Provide supportive services in a nonjudgmental manner.
• Provide information, referrals, linkages, and advocacy to assist clients in accessing services and resources.
• Assist clients with obtaining documents and services such as ID cards, birth certificates, and income benefits (e.g., SSI, SSDI).
• Identify appropriate permanent housing options, including bridge housing, subsidized housing, Section 8, VASH, permanent supportive housing, affordable housing, and market-rate units.
• Maintain client-related data systems including case notes and HMIS entries.
• Prepare case-related reports including outcomes, successes, and challenges
• Generate client data for monthly reports.
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation of service objectives, outcomes, and other services per federal, state, and local guidelines.
• Complete follow-up and retention services with backup documentation in client files.
• Conduct outreach to community members, business owners, and service providers to identify new resources and build relationships to assist clients.
• Respond to community requests for outreach interventions.
• Participate in meetings and trainings.
• Network with agencies, churches, pantries, shelters, and local groups.
• Coordinate the intake process through effective referrals.
• Create a weekly supply list and complete supply run.
• Arrange transportation for guests as needed.
• Refer and coordinate weekly folios with hotel managers for timely payment of services.
• Coordinate with Housing Specialists to ensure timely shelter exits into housing.
• Monitor shelter length of stay and schedule case conferences as needed.
• Coordinate with Housing Stability Case Manager on exit planning and community transition.
• Collaborate with and support community providers through technical assistance, program support, and training.

Skills

Multi-tasking

Communication

Relationship building

Data entry

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Public Administration, Social Work, or related field

5 years experience in homelessness, poverty, housing, mental health, and human services

Tools

HMIS

Excel

MS Office

Job description

POSITION: Crisis Outreach Specialist
REPORTS TO: Outreach and Prevention Program Manager
STATUS: Hourly – Non-Exempt – Full-Time

Overview: The Crisis Outreach Specialist will identify and build rapport with homeless individuals in Orange County. Will assist clients in breaking the cycle of homelessness by moving from accessing, to linking to necessary social services, and rapidly obtaining permanent housing. Will provide individualized support throughout by developing a service plan to address barriers, increase personal income, and offer a better place to stay until permanent housing goal achieved.

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Crisis Outreach Specialist will design a plan to identify areas in which families need assistance to accomplish outlined goals and objectives. The Crisis Outreach Specialist is an integral member of the Coalition Housing Team and works collaboratively with all aspects of community programs, representatives from Housing Programs and local Continuum of Care (CoC), and representatives of other nonprofit agencies and the faith community. All Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida employees should demonstrate our organizational values and sensitivity to the diversity of the organization’s client base.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work in the community via outreach van 3–5 days a week, typically at different agencies and organizations.
• Perform program enrollment with new clients at initial community impact visit or phone call and complete Crisis Outreach Triage form and necessary data.
• Ensure clients are oriented to community outreach practices and protocols.
• Provide supportive services in a nonjudgmental manner.
• Provide information, referrals, linkages, and advocacy to assist clients in accessing services and resources.
• Assist clients with obtaining documents and services such as ID cards, birth certificates, and income benefits (e.g., SSI, SSDI).
• Identify appropriate permanent housing options, including bridge housing, subsidized housing, Section 8, VASH, permanent supportive housing, affordable housing, and market-rate units.
• Maintain client-related data systems including case notes and HMIS entries.
• Prepare case-related reports including outcomes, successes, and challenges
• Generate client data for monthly reports.
• Maintain complete and accurate documentation of service objectives, outcomes, and other services per federal, state, and local guidelines.
• Complete follow-up and retention services with backup documentation in client files.
• Conduct outreach to community members, business owners, and service providers to identify new resources and build relationships to assist clients.
• Respond to community requests for outreach interventions.
• Participate in meetings and trainings.
• Network with agencies, churches, pantries, shelters, and local groups.
• Coordinate the intake process through effective referrals.
• Create a weekly supply list and complete supply run.
• Arrange transportation for guests as needed.
• Refer and coordinate weekly folios with hotel managers for timely payment of services.
• Coordinate with Housing Specialists to ensure timely shelter exits into housing.
• Monitor shelter length of stay and schedule case conferences as needed.
• Coordinate with Housing Stability Case Manager on exit planning and community transition.
• Collaborate with and support community providers through technical assistance, program support, and training.
• Other duties as assigned by the Outreach Program Manager.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Public Administration, Social Work, or related field; or equivalent background with five (5) years of experience in homelessness, poverty, housing, mental health, and human services.
• Ability to learn, understand, and adhere to HUD guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of and experience with HMIS and other spreadsheet/database systems.
• Hold a valid driver license.
• Must be able to sit for extended periods.
• Must be able to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Work involves both field and office environments.

Required Skills:

• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
• Strong coordination skills with community partners.
• Experience providing direct participant services.
• Housing First and Trauma-Informed Care training is a plus.
• Patience and understanding when engaging with individuals who have experienced trauma.
• Strong relationship builder and communicator with a customer service mindset.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), email, internet usage, and presentation tools.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and address sensitive client issues with empathy.
• Ability to adapt in high-pressure and unpredictable situations related to homelessness, mental health, and substance use.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Ability to interact professionally with clients, agencies, and funders.
• Physically able to stand, walk, bend, reach, and use hands regularly during daily tasks.
• Strong problem-solving and documentation skills.

Disclaimer: This job description does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. This description excludes the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to essential job duties. All duties, responsibilities, and requirements are vital to the job. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" employment relationship.

The Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida