Community Health Outreach Worker

4th Second•Vallejo, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

4th Second is a nonprofit organization dedicated to driving systemic change and fostering collaboration to bridge the gap between community needs and resources. Based in Solano County, with a focus on Vallejo, we specialize in Enhanced Care Management, employment and support services, and youth programs. Our work serves a wide-range of individuals, including youth and adults who are unhoused, at-risk, or justice-involved. At 4th Second, we are committed to trauma-informed and harm reduction approaches, offering services such as street medicine, healthcare coordination, mental health counseling, youth substance use and suicide prevention, workforce development, and community-driven initiatives for food and housing sovereignty. Our mission is simple: to meet people where they are, empower them with the care and resources they need, and support their journey toward holistic well-being. The Community Health Outreach Worker serves as a strategic "frontline bridge," connecting unhoused individuals and those transitioning from the justice system to essential medical, mental health, and housing systems. This role is a vital instrument for ensuring that historically marginalized individuals are not merely maintained in a state of survival, but are actively guided toward economic stability, employment, and self-sufficiency. The position is dual-natured: it requires the grit and empathy necessary for street-level outreach in encampments and shelters, coupled with the clinical sophistication required for high-level documentation and complex case management. The CHOW will work in an interdisciplinary team and collectively manage a complex caseload. The CHOW should be proficient in navigating digital databases and building trust on the street, building rapport and trust with clients. By focusing on systemic reintegration, the CHOW helps participants navigate the pathway from crisis to financial independence through targeted social service interventions and employment support.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
Six months of full-time experience in community outreach, client education, or support services.
Completion of 60 semester units of college coursework (including 6 units of health-related courses) or a formal CHW Certification may be substituted for the 6 months of required experience.
Advanced typing skills and proficiency in office software.
Possession of a valid Driver’s License and access to reliable personal transportation with a clean DMV record.
Ability to successfully pass a Live Scan and other required background checks.
Ability to traverse uneven, sloped, or rocky terrain (e.g., encampments) and walk for durations of 15 minutes or more.
Ability to carry or lift up to 25 lbs and stand or sit for extended periods (1+ hour).
Ability to operate a motor vehicle, including during night hours.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
Formal Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification.
Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.
Uncertified hires will be expected to obtain CHW certification within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

Conduct face-to-face field work: Initiate contact in streets, encampments, and shelters to build trusting, long-term relationships with unhoused individuals.
Perform street-level screenings: Identify and connect with potential participants, assessing immediate survival needs and establishing a point of entry into the 4th Second service model.
Stock and distribute essential information and referral materials to ensure participants have immediate access to resource directories in the field.
Complete Assessments: Including the PHQ-2, HMIS Intake, Vulnerability Assessment Tool (VAT), and Risk Assessments to evaluate participant strengths and social risks.
Navigate complex consent scenarios: Demonstrate expertise in obtaining and reviewing necessary authorizations, including ROIs and agency consent forms, ensuring participants understand their rights and responsibilities.
Manage administrative clinical tasks: Efficiently handle the faxing and maintenance of internal and external referrals to ensure no delay in service delivery.
Navigate health and social service systems: Act as an expert guide through complex service webs, ensuring participants attend medical or mental health appointments and navigate complex eligibility criteria.
Orchestrate post-discharge logistics: Arrange immediate transportation and support for patients being discharged from hospitals to mitigate the risk of re-hospitalization and ensure a seamless transition back to community-based care.
Facilitate housing stability: Assist participants with the nuances of emergency housing, motel vouchers, and complex applications for permanent supportive housing.
Employ motivational interviewing: Use evidence-based communication strategies to assist participants in goal setting and behavior change, focusing on long-term self-sufficiency.
Synthesize participant feedback and clinical observations: Act as a professional advocate for the client when collaborating with multidisciplinary teams of nurses and social workers, ensuring the team addresses the client's most acute barriers to care.
Real-time entry into QuickBase and HMIS systems.
Expert navigation of patient records and electronic database systems.
Maintenance of up-to-date housing status tracking at months 1 through 6 post-placement.
Verification of all service data for accuracy, completeness, and HIPAA compliance.
Document all case notes and outreach attempts within 24 hours of the activity.
Document at least one successful (or three unsuccessful) outreach attempts for every client on the caseload each month. Note: Sustaining Tenancy services require two successful attempts.
Complete Annual updates of Blood Pressure (BP) and PHQ records for all clients; quarterly updates are mandatory if initial readings were elevated.