Street Outreach Worker

Covenant House California; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Covenant House Pennsylvania is looking for a Street Outreach Worker to engage youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability, providing crisis intervention, connecting them to shelter, and linking them with health, education, and employment resources.

You will conduct regular street outreach, build trauma-informed relationships, document activities, and collaborate with shelters, schools, healthcare providers, and law enforcement to expand services for youth.

Qualifications

• High School diploma; Bachelor's degree preferred in a related field.
• Experience with at-risk youth or homeless populations is preferred.
• Ability to work in crisis situations with trauma-informed approach.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular street outreach to identify and engage youth in homelessness or unsafe living conditions.
• Build trusting, trauma-informed relationships with youth through respectful, nonjudgmental interactions.
• Provide street-based crisis intervention, emotional support, referrals, and basic needs.
• Facilitate access to emergency shelter, housing, medical care, behavioral health, education, and employment resources.
• Maintain accurate documentation: outreach logs, progress notes, assessments, and referrals.
• Attend meetings, participate in program planning, and assist with monthly/grant reports.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Youth engagement

Crisis intervention

De-escalation

Communication skills

Cultural competency

Documentation & recordkeeping

Collaboration & teamwork

Education

High School diploma

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Job description

Street Outreach Worker Position DescriptionDepartment: Community OutreachReports To: Program DirectorFLSA Status: Non-ExemptLocation: Philadelphia, PAPosition SummaryThe Street Outreach Worker serves as a frontline representative of Covenant House Pennsylvania by engaging young people experiencing homelessness, housing instability, exploitation, or other unsafe situations. Through trauma-informed, youth-centered outreach, this position establishes trusting relationships with youth, provides immediate crisis intervention and basic needs, and connects youth to safe shelter, supportive services, and long-term resources.The Street Outreach Worker is committed to advancing CHPA's mission by meeting youth where they are, reducing barriers to services, and empowering them to move toward safety, stability, and independence.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesStreet Outreach & Youth EngagementConduct regular street outreach in designated service areas to identify and engage youth experiencing homelessness or unsafe living conditions.Build trusting, trauma-informed relationships with youth through consistent, respectful, and nonjudgmental interactions.Assess immediate safety concerns and respond appropriately to youth in crisis.Provide street-based services, including crisis intervention, emotional support, referrals, safety planning, transportation assistance, and distribution of food, hygiene supplies, blankets, clothing, and other basic necessities.Encourage and facilitate youth access to emergency shelter, housing, medical care, behavioral health services, education, employment resources, and other supportive services.Conduct initial screenings and assist with program enrollment when appropriate.Program OperationsMaintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation, including:Outreach logsProgress notesInitial assessmentsReferral documentationGrant-related reportingClient database entriesMonthly activity reportsParticipate in multidisciplinary case management meetings, case reviews, program planning sessions, and staff meetings.Assist with the preparation of monthly, quarterly, annual, and grant-required reports.Monitor outreach trends and communicate emerging community needs and service gaps to the Associate Program Director.Participate in developing outreach strategies and identifying new community partnerships to improve services for youth.Safety & ComplianceFollow all agency policies, procedures, and safety protocols while conducting outreach.Maintain situational awareness to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers, and youth during outreach activities.Wear required CHPA Outreach attire during all outreach events to ensure visibility and professional identification.Operate agency vehicles safely and responsibly while maintaining cleanliness and reporting maintenance needs promptly.Manage outreach supplies, petty cash, and program resources in accordance with agency financial policies and documentation requirements.Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, agency policy, and applicable federal and state regulations.Collaboration & ProfessionalismFoster collaborative relationships with shelters, schools, healthcare providers, community organizations, law enforcement, and other service providers.Represent Covenant House Pennsylvania professionally in the community.Demonstrate cultural humility and provide services that are equitable, inclusive, and youth-centered.Maintain flexibility to respond to changing program needs community priorities, emergency situations, and youth needs. Participate in required agency training, professional development opportunities, and supervision. Perform other duties as assigned.Core CompetenciesTrauma-Informed CareYouth Engagement & Relationship BuildingCrisis Intervention & De-escalationCommunication SkillsCultural CompetencyCommunity Resource NavigationDocumentation & RecordkeepingTime Management & OrganizationProfessional JudgmentAdaptability & FlexibilityCollaboration & TeamworkSafety AwarenessMission & Values AlignmentMinimum QualificationsHigh School diploma;Bachelor’s degree in social work, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, or a related human services field preferred.One (1) year of experience working with at-risk youth, individuals experiencing homelessness, or vulnerable populations preferred.