Homeless Outreach Worker - Full-Time

City of Aurora•Aurora, CO

4d•$26 - $32

About The Position

The Homeless Outreach Worker is located in the City of Aurora’s Housing and Community Services Departments and reports to the Homeless Outreach supervisor. The role builds and maintains relationships with unhoused neighbors, acts as a liaison for individuals and families, and connects them with services, with the ultimate goal of housing. The position combines field and office work and includes housing-focused case management, outreach, crisis response, housing navigation, and coordination with community partners and City teams. The worker engages with unhoused individuals, assesses immediate and longer-term needs, connects clients to services, and develops individualized housing plans. The role includes outreach at encampments before and during abatements, providing resources and transportation, supporting the abatement process, conducting coordinated entry assessments, maintaining accurate records in HMIS and other systems, and managing a caseload of 70 or more individuals. The employee may respond to clients in crisis, develop safety plans, and work with individuals experiencing suicidal ideation. The position also partners with police, fire personnel, service providers, facilities, agencies, and property managers. The work is primarily in the field with an equal amount of office work. It involves frequent outdoor work in varied and sometimes hazardous conditions, direct contact with people experiencing homelessness, and physical demands including walking difficult terrain, climbing or navigating obstacles, and moving up to 50 pounds. City vehicles are provided, with occasional use of a personal vehicle. Employees may be required to work as essential personnel during a declared local emergency or disaster.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Two to three years of previous outreach experience.
Previous professional work with unhoused or vulnerable populations.
Experience in fields that include a mental health or substance use focus.
Valid Colorado driver’s license with a clean driving record.
Enrollment in HMIS within the first two weeks of employment.
Basic knowledge of homeless services in Aurora.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care.
Mental Health First Aid skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and MS Teams.
CPR and Narcan administration skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with diverse populations.
De-escalation or crisis intervention skills.
Ability to work in a high-stress environment with little on-hand supervision.
Awareness of surroundings and ability to leave potentially unsafe situations.
Ability to conduct face-to-face conflict resolution.
Ability to maintain strong boundaries with employees and unhoused residents.
Ability to handle the emotional and physical demands of the job, including high-stress situations and potential physical danger.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, partnering agencies, and unhoused neighbors.
Ability to handle sensitive and pertinent information.
Oral and written communication skills.
Ability to perform medium physical work, including moving up to 50 pounds with or without assistance.
Ability to walk, stand, kneel, and sit for prolonged periods as required by the environment.
Ability to navigate difficult terrain and hazardous or biohazardous environments, including obstacles and unpredictable circumstances.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in Spanish.
Lived experience.
Associate degree in social or behavioral sciences or a related field.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain rapport and trust with unhoused individuals to address immediate needs.
Provide housing-focused case management and develop individualized housing case plans in collaboration with clients.
Engage individuals, assess needs, and direct them to appropriate services, including medical, mental health, substance use, shelter, food, and benefits resources.
Coordinate with community partners to connect people with services that support stabilization.
Participate in weekly meetings.
Conduct outreach at encampments before and during abatements, offer resources and support, and provide transportation to shelters.
Initiate and support harm-reduction processes and advocate for people living outdoors while encouraging access to shelter and services.
Use a trauma-informed approach to meet people where they are.
Support the abatement process by discussing abatements, preparing resources, providing outreach and transportation, and coordinating closely with the abatement team.
Enter data accurately and promptly in HMIS and other data-entry systems.
Conduct coordinated entry assessments and updates.
Develop relationships with mental health and substance use providers and make referrals.
Supply basic needs such as socks, food, hygiene kits, and weather-appropriate gear.
Use City-provided vehicles to visit clients professionally, including for wellness checks; occasionally use a personal vehicle.
Partner with police and fire personnel on issues related to homelessness.
Monitor clients’ progress toward goals and provide guidance, encouragement, and resources.
Respond promptly to clients in crisis and provide immediate support and intervention.
Develop and implement safety plans for clients at risk of harm.
Use motivational interviewing and other evidence-based practices to help clients set and achieve realistic goals.
Help reduce public safety risks associated with homelessness, including emergency-service use and public disturbances.
Seek and secure emergency, transitional, and permanent housing and shelter placements for clients.
Coordinate housing transitions with facilities, agencies, and property management companies.
Negotiate rental agreements and deposits to improve housing access for clients.
Use de-escalation and crisis intervention skills when clients experience suicidal ideation and connect them with mental health resources.
Manage a caseload of 70 or more individuals, prioritizing cases based on the Metro Denver Continuum of Cares’ definition of vulnerability.
Perform other related duties as assigned.