Outreach and Engagement Specialist

City of Hemet; Hemet (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Hemet seeks an Outreach and Engagement Specialist to build strong community connections among residents, businesses, and partners. This role operates within the AERO team of the Hemet Police Department to expand access to resources and support sustainable housing initiatives.

Responsibilities include conducting outreach, advocating for homeless individuals, de-escalation in crises, coordinating with agencies, and maintaining collaborative relationships to improve community outcomes.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of homelessness outreach principles and program development.
• Ability to coordinate across agencies and partners.
• Strong customer service and crisis management skills.

Responsibilities

• Participates in homeless outreach and engagement across communities and sites.
• Acts as liaison and advocate for homeless individuals.
• Engages in crisis de-escalation and conflict resolution.
• Identifies service needs and coordinates with agencies for appropriate support.
• Maintains relationships with public and private service providers to secure housing, counseling, and case management resources.

Skills

Outreach

Engagement

De-escalation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

THE CITY OF HEMET IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Are you passionate about building strong community connections and making a lasting impact? The City of Hemet is seeking a dynamic and motivated Outreach and Engagement Specialist to lead efforts in fostering meaningful relationships between the City and its residents, businesses, and community partners. This is a unique opportunity to be the voice and bridge of Hemet—bringing people together, amplifying community programs, and ensuring inclusive access to city services and initiatives. If you're a creative communicator with a heart for public service, we invite you to help shape the future of Hemet through active engagement and collaboration.

This position is not a standalone role and will function within a team-centered environment. The Outreach and Engagement Specialist will operate under of the Active Engagement Response Outreach (AERO) team of the Hemet Police Department. As part of this collaborative unit, the newly appointed Outreach Specialist will work closely with AERO to expand access to critical resources, strengthen inter-agency partnerships, and support the development of sustainable housing solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Success in this role depends on the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, participate in coordinated outreach efforts, and contribute to strategic planning discussions. The Specialist will be expected to maintain open communication, support team goals, and align efforts with department-wide initiatives aimed at reducing homelessness and improving community outcomes.

ESSENTIALFUNCTIONS

• Participates in the day-to-day operations of homeless outreach and engagement; visits communities and canvasses neighborhoods, parks riverbeds, businesses, and trails in search of homeless individuals; visits and confers with homeless individuals regarding obstacles preventing participation in program and means for overcoming those obstacles; promotes and encourages participation in programs and resources for homeless individuals that enable them to be housed and stable.
• Serves as liaison and advocates for homeless individuals as appropriate and as needed.
• Engages and mitigates crises through de-escalation, harm reduction, and conflict resolution.
• Identifies and provides recommendations to homeless and partnering agencies regarding ongoing support services to meet homeless needs and to ensure homeless are receiving the most appropriate forms of care and support.
• Develops and maintains relationships with various public and private service agencies, community groups, and faith-based communities to obtain services for homeless individuals.
• Establishes and maintains effective and positive working relationships with homeless individuals through site visits to foster support and encourage participation in programs, housing, counseling, and/or case management services.
• Participates in ensuring compliance with relevant health, safety, permitting, and licensing laws and guidelines; maintains and updates all records and assists in reporting required by Federal, State, and local regulatory agencies including ensuring compliance for insurance and liability coverage.
• Stays current with new trends, developments, and practices in the field of homelessness and community outreach and engagement.
• Maintains accurate records of services and activities, including homeless outreach and engagement schedules, program participation and analysis, revenues, expenditures, grants, contract programs, accidents, and vandalism.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES

Knowledge of principles, practices, assessment alternatives, and service delivery needs related to homelessness; procedures for planning, implementing, and maintaining a variety of homeless outreach and engagement services and programs; principles and practices of homeless outreach and engagement program development, implementation, review, and evaluation; de-escalation techniques consistent with community-based enforcement; relevant and effective local and regional community resources including, but not limited to, public assistance programs and benefits; homeless outreach, cultural, age-specific, disability, and social needs of the community; characteristics of illness, injury, disabilities, emotional and mental disorders, and substance abuse disorders; applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, codes, and guidelines related to the program area(s) and facilities to which assigned; safety principles and practices, including basic first aid and adult and/or child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) methods; applicable safety precautions and procedures related to the program area(s) and facilities to which assigned; principles and practices of basic public relations techniques; business arithmetic and statistical techniques; modern office practices, methods, computer equipment and computer applications; English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation; techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with the public; techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, service providers, and City staff; techniques for dealing with and solving the problems presented by a variety of individuals from various backgrounds, in person, over the phone, and through written communication.

Ability to understand the organization and operation of homeless outreach and engagement programs and facilities necessary to assume assigned responsibilities; identify and assess individuals with disabilities when necessary to determine appropriate placement; assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards; interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, regulations and departmental policies and procedures; analyze situations and identify pertinent problems and/or issues; collect relevant information to determine realistic options; recommend and implement appropriate course of action; Identify and handle medical emergencies and injuries in a calm and effective manner, including providing basic first aid and adult and/or child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); work with staff, officials, and the public in routine, emergency and emotional situations; stay current with changes, practices, and trends in the assigned field of work; adapt to necessary changes in operations; understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities; make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines; establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems; prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials; operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software application programs; maintain accurate logs, records, and basic written records of work performed; use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing; use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines; establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; maintain strict confidentiality, discretion, and professionalism in handling and processing critical and sensitive information, records, and reports; provide quality customer service.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and/or Experience:

• Education: Equivalent to graduation from twelfth (12th) grade. A Bachelor’s Degree in social work, social/behavioral sciences, mental health, counseling, business or public administration, or a related field is highly desirable AND
• Experience: Two (2) years of applicable work experience providing case management, social services, and/or working with the homeless in outreach and engagement services.

CERTIFICATION/LICENSE OR OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

PossessionofavalidCaliforniaClassCDriver’sLicense,andmaintainasatisfactory driving record.

Possession and maintenance of an American Red Cross First Aid Certificate and CPR Certificate for infant, child, and adult within three (3) months of hire.

Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is highly desirable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Pass a background investigation including polygraph and psychological exam and a medical exam which may include drug testing, an audio test and vision exam; work rotating shifts including weekends and holidays. Employees must be able to work a varying schedule including weekends, weekdays, evenings, and holidays (hours and days are adjusted as needed by the department).

PHYSICAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading written reports and work related documents. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. Employees must be able to communicate in person, in 4 writing, and by telephone with management, co-workers, vendors, consultants, and with the public in face-to-face, one-on-one, and group settings.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.