Community Health Specialist 2 - Housing

Multnomah County • Portland, OR

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Multnomah County Health Department is hiring a Community Health Specialist 2 to conduct outreach within substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs, other SUD services, and shelters throughout Multnomah County. The position aims to help unhoused individuals leaving SUD services access housing, supporting their recovery. Identified individuals are offered PATH (Promoting Access to Hope) services and connections to community providers that can address immediate needs. The specialist collaborates with internal and external partners to develop and implement strategies that meet client needs.

The role includes direct street and shelter outreach, relationship-building with provider organizations and shelters, helping clients move toward recovery by connecting them with housing, and coordinating with team members and community partners. The specialist documents services and care coordination in tracking sheets, electronic health records, and other required systems while protecting client confidentiality and complying with HIPAA requirements. The position also participates in collaborative meetings and contributes feedback to evaluate and improve PATH services and outreach.

Requirements

• Education equivalent to an associate's degree and one to four years of experience demonstrating the ability to perform the duties, or an equivalent combination of three to six years of qualifying training and/or experience.
• Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle; must be able to travel around the county.
• Current BLS-CPR certification from the American Heart Association or a similar agency, required by the date of hire.
• Oregon certification as a Community Health Worker (CHW), Peer Support Specialist (PSS), or Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS).
• Ability to work effectively with individuals and families from varied ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds and of varied ages.
• Ability to use compassionate communication and empathy with individuals.
• Ability to complete required documentation and coordinate care while maintaining confidentiality and complying with HIPAA requirements.
• Must complete a background investigation, which may include fingerprinting.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated proficiency in Motivational Interviewing, Nonviolent Communication (NVC), de-escalation tactics, and crisis intervention techniques.
• Working knowledge of client confidentiality laws, including HIPAA compliance.
• Housing navigation experience serving individuals experiencing substance use disorders, severe mental illness, or unsheltered homelessness.
• Experience with reporting and documentation in an electronic health records system.
• Understanding of cultural, racial, and ethnic factors and systemic advantage or disadvantage, including acculturation, immigrant family challenges, trauma related to immigration, war, family separation, detention or refugee camps, generational trauma, and other factors related to non-dominant cultures that affect mental health and treatment.
• Ability to apply an equity, intersectional, and anti-racist lens.
• Knowledge of the cultures, customs, and social experiences of communities facing marginalization and barriers to opportunity.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, diplomacy, and tact with sensitive, complex, and confidential information and situations, and to act professionally and empathetically with individuals, partners, and communities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct direct outreach in SUD treatment programs, other SUD services, shelters, and on the street throughout Multnomah County.
• Refer individuals to housing services and connect them with PATH services and other community providers to address immediate needs.
• Build and maintain relationships with provider organizations and shelters that provide referrals.
• Work with groups of clients to help them move from addiction toward recovery by connecting them with housing that supports recovery.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with team members and assigned communities.
• Participate in regular team, group, and individual case conferences.
• Collaborate and communicate regularly with patients, community partners, and coworkers.
• Participate in committees and workgroups with internal and external partners to communicate about and improve program services and outreach.
• Complete and maintain required documentation in tracking sheets, electronic health records, and other data systems.
• Follow reporting requirements for documenting services and coordinating care with internal and external organizations.
• Maintain client confidentiality in data and electronic records and adhere to HIPAA requirements.
• Attend and participate in collaborative outreach meetings with stakeholders to build and improve programs, services, and events supporting PATH and the community.
• Provide feedback and suggestions to leadership and community-based agencies to evaluate and improve services and service delivery.

Benefits

• Employer-funded retirement savings.
• Health and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents.
• Paid parental leave.
• Wellness programs.
• Focus on work-life balance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree