Community Outreach Specialist

Access Services • Plymouth Meeting, PA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

At Access Services, we know great work starts with real support. From nearly 6 weeks off in your first year to high quality, affordable health coverage and opportunities to grow, we’ve built a benefits package that shows we care for our people. Access Services is seeking a full-time Community Outreach Specialist to serve communities throughout Montgomery County, with an office base in Plymouth Meeting, PA. In this meaningful role, you will engage individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, behavioral health challenges, and substance use disorders, helping them access the services and supports they need to move toward stability and wellness. Through street-based outreach, relationship-building, housing navigation, and community collaboration, you will serve as a bridge between vulnerable community members and resources including housing, healthcare, treatment providers, benefits, and basic needs services. This position also plays an important role in mobilizing community members, volunteers, faith communities, and professional partners to develop sustainable, community-driven solutions to homelessness. The ideal candidate is relationship-centered, has strong critical thinking skills, and is passionate about helping underserved individuals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, social work, or related field required.
• Ability to communicate well, and to develop positive, creative and programmatic goals.
• Ability to work as part of a team, as well as direct and prioritize own work and be flexible.
• Knowledge of homelessness and housing system and the ability to enhance understanding to maximize the level of service delivery.
• Skill in person centered screening and assessment.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including Word and Outlook, Evolv (or similar electronic health record software) and use of the Internet.
• Proficiency in, or ability to learn and use, workplace applications, platforms and technologies.
• Comfortable working outdoors.
• Ability to travel during a normal workday to successfully carry out job responsibilities.
• Drive their personal vehicle and/or an agency-owned vehicle.
• Meet eligibility criteria in the agency Motor Vehicle Policy.
• Meet all qualifying and ongoing job criteria including background checks and a driving history record.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in public health preferred.
• American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) training or certification preferred.
• Experience working with individuals with housing instability or who struggle with substance use disorder and/or mental health diagnoses is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct street-based outreach and community engagement with individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, behavioral health challenges, and substance use disorders.
• Build trusting relationships with unsheltered and vulnerable individuals, using creative and persistent engagement strategies to assess needs and connect individuals with appropriate services and supports.
• Provide housing and shelter navigation, helping individuals access stable housing opportunities and overcome barriers to care.
• Connect individuals with healthcare, behavioral health, substance use treatment, recovery supports, benefits, identification documents, and other community resources that promote stability and wellness.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers, behavioral health agencies, drug and alcohol programs, overdose response teams, and other community partners to coordinate care and improve outcomes.
• Provide education and referrals related to mental health, behavioral health, substance use disorders, overdose prevention, HIV, Hepatitis, TB, treatment options, and recovery-oriented services.
• Distribute basic needs supplies, share resource information, and participate in coordinated community efforts that support individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Engage and mobilize community members, volunteers, faith communities, service providers, and other stakeholders through outreach, presentations, training opportunities, and relationship-building activities that advance community-driven solutions.
• Maintain accurate documentation, participate in team and partner meetings, stay informed about local community needs and resources, and maintain the flexibility needed to respond to changing community priorities.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance, and work scheduled overtime, or be available for unplanned overtime as necessary, to meet program needs.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
• Company-paid life insurance
• Disability protection
• Catastrophic sick leave
• Up to 88% of health premium covered
• Up to nearly 6 weeks of paid time off (20+ PTO days plus 9 paid holidays) in the first year
• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Access to college tuition discounts
• Mileage & Toll Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free, confidential resources for you and your family, including: Counseling and emotional support through in-person, telehealth and text therapy, Financial and legal guidance
• Paid training
• Ongoing professional development
• Opportunities to learn and advance across diverse roles and programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level