Outreach Specialist

HOUSING WORKS INC; New York (NY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare plans

PTO up to 30 days first year

Educational benefit

Job summary

Housing Works in New York City is seeking an Outreach Specialist to engage community members, identify individuals at risk for HIV, and connect them to prevention services. The role includes field and digital outreach, partnership-building, education, brief interventions, and documenting activities to support program goals.

You will serve as a frontline representative, reduce barriers to care, and work with the Navigation and Clinic teams to ensure scheduling and follow-through.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of relevant non-profit experience (outreach, testing, case management).
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, homelessness, substance use, LGBT youth issues.

Responsibilities

• Screen, recruit, and enroll individuals into prevention services.
• Provide rapid HIV and Hep C testing at mobile and venue-based events and site-based as needed.
• Provide pre- and post-test counseling and partner notification services in accordance with State and Federal regulations.
• Provide linkage to clinical services, including HIV primary care, PrEP/PEP care, and other clinical services.
• Perform sexual history assessments utilizing the GOALS framework.
• Participate in community events, such as health fairs, LGBT events, testing events, etc.
• Provides presentations for internal and external programs to promote the program services.
• Assist with the planning and implementation of events to increase client engagement.
• Participate in weekly supervisory sessions with the Program Manager.
• Complete documentation of client assessments, consent forms, and demographic information.
• Re-engage clients for care, case management, and supportive services by identifying barriers to engagement and sharing insights or trends during supervision and team debriefs.
• Coordinate with Navigation and Clinic teams to ensure smooth appointment scheduling and client follow-through.
• Client Engagement and Education: Provide accurate and affirming information about PrEP, including oral and injectable options.
• Use motivational interviewing and culturally responsive communication to assess client interest and readiness.
• Maintain a professional and supportive tone that encourages client engagement and builds trust.
• Participate in ongoing training and coaching sessions to strengthen outreach and communication skills.
• Conduct all programmatic outreach activities (e.g. street outreach, shelters, piers, day centers, parks, health fairs, soup kitchens, house balls and other venues where LGBTQ youth are known to gather).

Skills

Non-profit outreach experience

HIV/AIDS knowledge

LGBT youth issues knowledge

Good communication skills

Autonomy

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

• Pay or shift range: $20 USD to $23 USD

The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

Description

Compensation Range: $20/hr - $23/hr commensurate with experience

Benefits:
We have three comprehensive healthcare plans to choose from based on your priorities and budget. Housing Works covers most of the plan; you pay a portion, based on your salary. Staff begins accruing PTO immediately for a total of up to 30 days earned in the first year. We offer employees an educational benefit. This money is available for tuition loan reimbursement, tuition costs, and text books.

Overview:

The Outreach Specialist is responsible for engaging community members, identifying individuals at risk for HIV and connecting them to prevention services. This role conducts field outreach, digital outreach, and partnership-building with community organizations to promote awareness and access to care in Manhattan. The Outreach Specialist provides education, brief interventions, and linkage support, while maintaining accurate documentation and contributing to program goals. They serve as a frontline representative of the prevention program and play a key role in reducing barriers to care and improving health outcomes in the community.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

• Screen, recruit, and enroll individuals within the target population to prevention services
• Provide rapid HIV and Hep C Testing at mobile and venue-based events and site-based as needed
• Provide pre- and post-test counseling and partner notification services in accordance with State and Federal regulations
• Provide linkage to clinical services, including HIV primary care, PrEP/PEP care, and other clinical services.
• Perform sexual history assessments utilizing the GOALS framework
• Participate in community events, such as health fairs, LGBT events, testing events, etc.
• Provides presentations for internal and external programs to promote the program services
• Assist with the planning and implementation of event to increase client engagement
• Participate in weekly supervisory sessions with the Program Manager
• Complete documentation of client assessments, consent forms, and demographic information
• Re-engage clients for care, case management, and supportive services by identifying barriers to engagement and sharing insights or trends during supervision and team debriefs.
• Coordinate with Navigation and Clinic teams to ensure smooth appointment scheduling and client follow-through.
• Client Engagement and Education: Provide accurate and affirming information about PrEP, including oral and injectable options.
• Use motivational interviewing and culturally responsive communication to assess client interest and readiness.
• Maintain a professional and supportive tone that encourages client engagement and builds trust.
• Participate in ongoing training and coaching sessions to strengthen outreach and communication skills.
• Conduct all programmatic outreach activities (e.g. street outreach, shelters, piers, day centers, parks, health fairs, soup kitchens, house balls and other venues where LGBTQ youth are known to gather).

Requirements:

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED with relevant work experience required

Qualifications/Skills:

• Minimum 1 year of relevant non-profit employment experience required (i.e. outreach, testing, group facilitation, case management, etc)
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, homelessness, substance use and mental illness, and LGBT youth issues
• Good problem-solving skills and ability to work autonomously
• Good verbal and written communications skills

Housing Works was founded in 1990; With a long-term commitment to AIDS advocacy. Housing Works established New York State’s first harm reduction-based, OASAS-licensed outpatient drug treatment program. Other services include Health Home care management, behavioral health, and syringe exchange programs. A pioneer in the social entrepreneurship movement, Housing Works operates 10 high-end thrift shops in Manhattan and Brooklyn and a much-loved Bookstore Cafe in Soho. For more information, visit www.housingworks.org

Housing Works fights for funding and legislation to ensure that all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to quality housing, healthcare, HIV prevention, and treatment, among other lifesaving services.

Housing Works provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements. Housing Works complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Housing Works also does not request prior salary information during the hiring process. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

This position is included in a bargaining unit of Housing Works’ New York City employees represented by a labor union known as the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (“RWDSU”). Accordingly, the RWDSU has the exclusive right to bargain over the terms and conditions of employment related to this position and this position may become covered by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement (a “CBA”) between Housing Works and the RWDSU

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.