Housing Outreach Specialist (Hybrid Schedule)

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization • Portland, OR

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Housing Outreach Specialist provides street-based outreach and housing-focused support to unsheltered adults living outdoors, in vehicles, encampments, or other places not meant for human habitation. The role uses client advocacy, problem solving, needs assessments, crisis intervention, and de-escalation to address barriers to housing and support housing placement. It also provides information, referrals, and connections to behavioral and physical health services, employment and benefits access, housing search, and other social services.

The specialist travels throughout Multnomah County, including Gresham, to engage people where they are and build trust through consistent visits and communication. The position works with clients and partner organizations to identify needs, create actionable plans, coordinate services and transportation, gather documents, navigate applications, and advocate with landlords and housing programs. Services must follow Multnomah County outreach guidance, harm-reduction practices, data standards, and HMIS documentation requirements. The role also supports program improvement and completes required training.

This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position with a hybrid schedule, based at multiple Portland-area locations. The work schedule may fluctuate with organizational or client needs, and flexible hours may be required to meet client availability. The position requires travel and driving throughout the service area and involves moderate physical effort, including carrying, frequent lifting of light items, and some lifting of moderately heavy objects. Work may occur indoors and outdoors in occasionally uncomfortable conditions, including noise, temperature variation, dirty environments, or interactions with angry or hostile people. There is a moderately low level of personal risk.

Requirements

• High school education, some college coursework, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of work experience.
• Experience working with refugee and immigrant communities, hard-to-reach populations, and low-income families.
• Ability to work with people from all backgrounds; strong communication skills.
• Ability to courteously and effectively interact with employees, organization representatives, vendors, contractors, the public, and others.
• Ability to use initiative and judgment in completing tasks and responsibilities.
• Ability to work positively in a demanding environment, adapt to frequently changing priorities and schedules, and meet commitments.
• Ability to pass an extensive background check.
• Valid driver’s license, current auto insurance verification, and full use of an automobile during work hours.
• English proficiency is required.
• Ability to meet moderate physical demands, including carrying, frequent lifting of light items, and some lifting of moderately heavy objects.
• Ability to travel and drive as a major part of the job.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in a second language from an Asian or Pacific Islander, African, Middle Eastern, Russian, or Hispanic language is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support the program manager in meeting IRCO Program Management Standards and participating in continuous program improvement.
• Travel throughout Multnomah County, including Gresham, using ArcGIS to locate and engage unsheltered individuals and provide services.
• Identify unsheltered individuals in an assigned geographic area and build trust through reliable, consistent visits and communication.
• Assess clients’ physical and mental health, immediate needs, safety concerns, and barriers to housing and services.
• Develop actionable plans with clients, establish concrete next steps and responsibilities, and connect clients with housing, shelter, food, healthcare, mental health, substance-use, and other services.
• Coordinate or assist with transportation to service appointments.
• Provide housing-focused case management, help clients obtain identification and other documentation, support housing applications, and advocate with landlords and housing programs.
• Collaborate with providers and partners inside and outside the service area to meet client needs and remove barriers to housing placement.
• Deliver outreach consistent with the Multnomah County Outreach Services Manual, including its housing-focused approach, harm-reduction practices, and data-collection standards.
• Enter and document active engagements, service connections, assessments, and client assistance in HMIS accurately and promptly.
• Complete required training for HSD-contracted street outreach.
• Collaborate with partner organizations, stakeholders, and people experiencing homelessness.
• Maintain confidentiality, meet multiple deadlines, and work flexible hours to meet client availability.
• Engage in recommended professional development and other assigned or required training.

Benefits

• Three to six weeks of paid time off per year.
• 401(k) match of over 100% on the first 5%, with immediate vesting.
• 3% match for student loans or college savings.
• 12 paid holidays and one floating holiday.
• Medical and dental insurance options with 85% coverage for employees and families, with no deductibles.
• Employer-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Flexible spending account.
• Flexible working arrangements and schedules.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED