Outreach Advocate

Bay Cove Human Services; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A community service organization in Cambridge seeks an Outreach Advocate to provide critical support to individuals experiencing homelessness and substance abuse. Responsibilities include building relationships and connecting clients with essential services while representing the organization professionally. Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma and experience working with vulnerable populations, along with strong communication skills and a commitment to the organization's mission. This role is integral to addressing community needs and requires empathy and resilience.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of direct care experience working with a homeless, mentally ill, and/or actively addicted population.
• Minimum two years of continuous sobriety if recovering.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain professional relationships with clients.
• Provide on-street relationship-building and referral services.
• Connect clients with desired programs through direct and indirect referrals.
• Conduct brief substance abuse counseling and necessary case management.

Skills

Excellent verbal communication skills

Demonstrated written communication skills

Ability to work constructively with various people

Demonstrated computer literacy

Ability to work empathically with individuals in crisis

Knowledge of HIV Prevention

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent certification

Minimum two years of direct care experience

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Cambridge, MA, USA

Job Description

Posted Friday, March 13, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Bay Cove Human Services’ mission is to partner with people to overcome challenges and realize personal potential. Bay Cove pursues this mission by providing individualized and compassionate services to people facing the challenges associated with developmental disabilities, mental illness, substance use disorders, and homelessness at more than 175 program sites throughout Greater Boston and Southeast Massachusetts.

Job Summary:

The Outreach Advocate provides on-street relationship-building and information and referral services for men and women experiencing homelessness, substance abuse problems, and/or are at risk for HIV in the catchment area of Cambridge, Somerville, Arlington, Watertown, and Belmont. Outreach Advocates collaborate with external agencies including other social service programs, area hospitals, police departments, and the community-at-large to develop effective responses to substance abuse problems, HIV/AIDS, and homelessness. Individuals holding this position are the “face of the agency” in the community and must be able to represent CASPAR in an appropriate and professional manner to the community-at-large.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities (may include some or all of the following, based on modality):

• Establish and maintain professional relationships with clients in the catchment area.
• Meet clients “where they are at” both geographically (e.g., on a park-bench, in a train station, on the street, etc.) and personally (e.g., intoxicated or sober).
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with other service providers, local businesses, and concerned citizens in at least the catchment area.
• Thorough awareness of substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and homeless resources (e.g., shelter and housing services, drop-in centers, clinics, detox and other health care programs, prevention programs, etc.).
• Connect clients with desired programs through direct referrals (e.g., calling a detox, confirming a bed, and transporting client to the detox) and indirect referrals (e.g., pass along information about particular programs).
• Brief substance abuse counseling and all necessary case management activities.
• Completing all required paperwork (e.g., daily logs, intake forms), HMIS data entry, reporting, and PEMS.
• Proper care of CASPAR property (e.g., vehicles, computers, phones).
• Other outreach and prevention program duties as assigned by the Program Director.

Decisions Made on Own

• Basic safety, health and other needs assessments at each encounter with clients.
• Client referrals to relevant services.

Decisions Requiring Approval

• Any adjustment to scheduled work hours, including time-off requests (Vacation, Personal Days, etc.).
• Most decisions beyond the basic assessment of, relationship building with, and referral of clients require the approval of the Program Director.

Education and/or Experience Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent certification
• Minimum two years of direct care experience working with a homeless, mentally ill, and/or actively addicted population.
• Understanding of addiction and mental illness.
• Minimum two years of continuous sobriety if recovering.

Skills Required

• Excellent verbal communication skills (e.g., talk with and listen to people in a nonjudgmental way, etc.).
• Demonstrated written communication skills (e.g., clear penmanship, basic correspondence, reports, etc.).
• Belief in and passion for CASPAR’s mission and empathy for its client population.
• Ability to work constructively with a great variety of people and personalities (e.g., civic leaders, business owners, law enforcement, the general public, etc.).
• Demonstrated computer literacy (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel).
• Ability to work respectfully and empathically with individuals in crisis.
• Ability to respond safely and quickly to emergency situations.
• Ability to stand for long hours, stretch, bend, lift and assist clients to safer and more appropriate locations.
• Knowledge of HIV Prevention for YMSM of color and YTG persons of color.
• Ability to walk for long periods of time.

Certificates, Licenses, Registration Required

• Valid Massachusetts Driver’s License with at least two years driving experience, proof of an excellent driving record, and demonstrated ability to drive a 15-passenger van.
• CPR and First Aid, Mental Health First Aid preferred.

Physical and Mental Demands

The Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The employee may regularly be required to sit, stand, use hands, talk, hear, reach with arms, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl or run. The employee may regularly be required to move, by pushing, pulling or lifting up to 25 pounds.

Bay Cove Human Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other groups as protected by Massachusetts or federal law. All qualified candidates, regardless of background, are encouraged to apply.

Bay Cove Human Services does not offer visa sponsorships at this time and will require candidates to be authorized to work in the United States.