Outreach Counselor, Homeless Services & Crisis Support

Seattle Human Services Department; Spokane Valley (WA); On-site; USD 124,273,000 - 144,474,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Job summary

The Seattle Human Services Department is hiring an Outreach Counselor to support the Unified Care Team’s daily operations. You will deliver direct services to individuals experiencing homelessness, conduct needs assessments, and help link them to housing, health, and social supports in your assigned district.

This in-person, full-time role requires crisis intervention, de-escalation, and strong data entry while coordinating with neighborhood partners to move people into shelter and ongoing

Qualifications

• Experience: 3 years social services experience involving interviewing, counseling, or crisis intervention.
• Education: A bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Psychology or a related field
• Certification/License: Current Washington State Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Conduct individualized needs assessments for folks residing in encampments within your assigned district.
• Develop service plans with individuals, match them with the right resources, and assist in making appropriate referrals.
• Work with individuals who are experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, behavioral health issues, co‑occurring disorders, and other physical medical conditions.
• Assist people in navigating the homelessness system, with a thorough understanding of what resources are available.
• Provide motivational interviewing, de‑escalation, and crisis intervention.
• Collaborate with community‑based contracted partners to ensure that the appropriate level of care is being provided to meet each individual’s needs.
• Work with interpretation services, as needed.
• Maintain clear and concise case notes on individuals you engage with.
• Evaluate individuals and make referrals to services (to include, emergency shelter services, long‑term case management services, culturally specific services, population‑specific services, health services, legal services).
• Assist with and arrange transportation for individuals to arrive at services.
• Work with the Unified Care Team to ensure individuals on City property are provided outreach and engagement services before, and during, closure of their encampment sites.
• Make offers of alternative shelter resources to folks residing in encampments that are scheduled for closure.
• Enter person‑level (and site specific) data after all engagements in multiple data platforms.
• Ensure that data is entered accurately and in a timely manner.
• Serve as a member of an inter‑departmental. multi‑disciplinary neighborhood team.

Skills

Social services experience

Driver's license

Crisis intervention

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Services, Psychology or related field

Job description

The Seattle Human Services Department is hiring an Outreach Counselor to support the Unified Care Team’s daily operations. You will deliver direct services to individuals experiencing homelessness, conduct needs assessments, and help link them to housing, health, and social supports in your assigned district.

This in-person, full-time role requires crisis intervention, de-escalation, and strong data entry while coordinating with neighborhood partners to move people into shelter and ongoing