Community Health Specialist 2 - Housing

Multnomah County•Portland, OR

7d•$28 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

The Multnomah County Health Department is hiring Community Health Specialists to conduct outreach within substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs, other SUD services, shelters, and street settings throughout Multnomah County. The role aims to help unhoused individuals leaving SUD services access housing and sustain recovery. Identified individuals are offered PATH (Promoting Access to Hope) services and referrals to other community providers who can address immediate needs. The position works with internal and external partners to develop and implement strategies that meet client and community needs. This is an in-person, regular, union-represented, non-exempt position. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The position is eligible for overtime. The posted pay range is $28.45–$34.99 per hour. The role requires a background investigation, which may include fingerprinting, and employees may be reassigned to support emergency response needs.

Requirements

Education equivalent to an associate's degree and one to four years of experience demonstrating ability to perform the duties, or equivalent qualifying training and/or experience totaling three to six years.
Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle; ability to travel around the service area.
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).
Submit a resume demonstrating minimum qualifications and provide thorough responses to the required supplemental questions.
Undergo a background investigation, which may include fingerprinting.

Nice To Haves

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 people experiencing SUD, severe mental illness, or unsheltered homelessness.
Experience documenting and reporting in an electronic health record system.
Understanding of cultural, racial, and ethnic factors; systemic advantage and disadvantage; acculturation; immigrant family and intergenerational challenges; trauma related to immigration, war, family separation, detention, or refugee camps; generational trauma; and other factors affecting mental health and treatment in non-dominant cultures.
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.
Good judgment, diplomacy, and tact with sensitive, complex, and confidential information and situations, and professional, empathetic conduct with individuals, partners, and communities.

Responsibilities

Conduct direct outreach in SUD treatment programs, other SUD services, shelters, and on the street, and refer individuals to housing services.
Build and maintain relationships with provider organizations and shelters that make referrals.
Help clients move from addiction toward recovery by connecting them with housing and other needed services.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with team members and assigned communities.
Participate in regular team, group, and individual case conferences.
Collaborate and communicate with patients, community partners, and coworkers.
Understand and respond to the experiences of individuals and families from varied ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, and age groups using compassionate communication and empathy.
Connect people experiencing street homelessness with behavioral and health services through direct outreach.
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 required data systems.
Document services and coordination of care according to reporting requirements.
Protect client confidentiality and ensure electronic records comply with HIPAA requirements.
Attend collaborative outreach meetings with internal and external stakeholders to develop and improve programs, services, and events supporting the PATH Program and community.
Provide feedback and suggestions to leadership and community-based agencies to evaluate and improve services and service delivery.