Outreach Specialist (Encampment Resolution - Richmond)

Heluna Health; Concord (CA); On-site; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated CORE Outreach Specialist to engage and stabilize homeless individuals in Contra Costa County. This role involves conducting street outreach, building trust with underserved populations, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to connect clients with essential services. The ideal candidate will have a background in human services, a passion for helping others, and the ability to work in diverse environments. Join this impactful program and contribute to meaningful change in the community while enjoying a supportive work atmosphere and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• AA/AS degree in Human Services or equivalent experience with homeless populations.
• Bilingual in Spanish and knowledge of community resources are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct street outreach and engage homeless individuals in services.
• Collaborate with community partners and provide necessary referrals.

Skills

Bilingual in Spanish

Experience with homeless populations

Knowledge of community resources

Ability to work with diverse populations

Professional competency in Microsoft Word

Education

AA/AS degree in Human Services

High School degree or equivalent with experience

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

The Coordinated Outreach Referral, Engagement (CORE) program is a public/private partnership with Contra Costa Health Services, Health, Housing and Homeless Services and Heluna Health. The CORE program works collaboratively in small teams to engage and stabilize homeless individuals living outside to identify plans to end their homelessness permanently. The CORE Outreach Specialist is responsible for street outreach efforts in Contra Costa County which include building trust with individuals and families that are not being served or are underserved by existing community service delivery systems. The Outreach Specialist works collaboratively to locate, engage, stabilize and house chronically homeless individuals and families. The CORE Outreach Specialist plays a key role among a multidisciplinary team which serves to support and stabilize individuals moving from street to service.

Salary: $25.20 - $27.76 Hourly

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conduct mobile and street outreach throughout Contra Costa County, working in collaboration with liaisons and contractors to engage homeless individuals into services.
• Respond to dispatches from contractors and the community for contracted locations, checking in daily with contracts/dispatch at the beginning and end of shifts.
• Collaborate with the community or contracting authority to ensure clients are connected to requested services; provide transportation when needed.
• Engage with individuals who need assistance as requested by service agencies, businesses, community groups, and citizens.
• Work closely with the Health Care for the Homeless Program medical staff to engage homeless individuals.
• Support the CORE Lead Outreach Worker and perform Lead duties when absent.
• Provide guidance to team members, including communicating team goals and identifying training needs.
• Build trust with and assess the needs of unsheltered homeless persons during outreach efforts.
• Distribute survival supplies including food, hygiene supplies, blankets, and socks.
• Administer intakes, housing assessments, and other documentation as needed.
• Review and understand program data pertaining to the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Assist homeless individuals with completing applications for services and transporting them to shelters and services as needed.
• Collaborate with Coordinated Entry programs and other County services to place homeless individuals in housing and enroll them into services.
• Provide targeted outreach to individuals who frequent emergency services but are not connected to stable housing and health services.
• Work in the community and meet homeless consumers where they are, including in the woods, under bridges, and in abandoned houses.
• Provide necessary referrals and information for temporary housing and community resources.
• Provide program materials to community partners around shelter services.
• Maintain a culturally sensitive, respectful, and professional demeanor.
• Attend and participate in weekly case conferences as part of the county-wide CORE outreach program.
• Attend community meetings with other service providers to share program information and coordinate services.
• Comply with all policies and procedures guiding the work of this position and the department overall.
• Attend training and meetings as required.
• All other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• AA/AS degree in Human Services, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field.

OR

• High School degree or equivalent plus a minimum of 2 years direct experience working in a professional capacity with homeless, behavioral health or medically complex populations.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bilingual, bicultural in Spanish.
• Lived experience of homelessness and/or accessing behavioral health services.
• Previous experience or training in street outreach and clinical case management.
• Knowledge of Contra Costa County and community resources.
• Knowledge of the Contra Costa emergency provider network.
• Prior experience with documentation and billing procedures.

Additional Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the client population and their complex needs including homelessness, financial instability, medical and psychiatric illnesses, and substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS.
• Ability to work well with diverse staff and clientele including cultural, language, sexual identity, gender and other diversity considerations.
• Ability to work successfully both independently and cooperatively.
• Professional level competency using Internet, email, and Microsoft Word applications.
• Ability to assist persons with disabilities and to help transfer a 180lb person and lift a wheelchair in and out of a vehicle.
• Ability to work fluctuating hours which may include day, swing, or graveyard shifts.
• Must possess a valid California driver’s license due to driving a County vehicle.
• Drivers must have a clean record with no infractions/accidents and be 21 years of age or older.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Stand, Walk, Sit, Handling/Fingering, Reach Outward, Reach Above Shoulder, Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend, Lift/Carry, Push/Pull: Frequently - Up to 50 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Various environments depending on job necessities can include: General Office Setting, Homeless Shelter, field work within Contra Costa County, frequently walking on uneven ground for long distances.

EEOC STATEMENT:
It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition, AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.