Housing Outreach Specialist (Hybrid Schedule)

IRCO • Portland, OR

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Housing Outreach Specialist provides street-based outreach and housing-focused support to unsheltered adults living outside, 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 help resolve homelessness, with a focus on housing placement. The specialist connects clients with behavioral and physical health services, employment and benefits resources, housing search and placement services, and other community resources, and helps clients navigate social-services systems.

The position serves Multnomah County, including Gresham, and uses ArcGIS to locate and engage people experiencing homelessness. Work includes establishing trust through consistent contact, assessing needs and barriers, developing actionable plans with clients, coordinating referrals and transportation, supporting housing applications, gathering identification and documentation, and advocating with landlords and housing programs. Services must follow Multnomah County outreach guidance, harm-reduction practices, and data collection standards, including timely and accurate HMIS documentation. The role works in a hybrid setting and may involve schedule fluctuations and flexible hours to meet client availability.

This is a regular, full-time position with benefits based at multiple Portland-area locations. The starting wage is $49,572, depending on experience. The position is non-exempt and does not have supervisory responsibilities, though it may occasionally involve orienting or training employees or volunteers.

Requirements

• High school education, some college coursework, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 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 without exception.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to courteously and effectively work with employees, organization representatives, vendors, contractors, the public, and others.
• Ability to use initiative and judgment in completing tasks and responsibilities.
• Ability to function positively in a demanding work environment, adapt to changing priorities and schedules, and meet commitments.
• Ability to meet multiple, potentially conflicting deadlines and maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to work flexible hours to meet client availability.
• Ability to pass an extensive background check.
• Valid driver’s license, current auto insurance, and full use of an automobile during work hours.
• English proficiency is required.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in a second language in 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 participate in continuous learning for program improvement.
• Travel throughout Multnomah County, including Gresham, using ArcGIS to locate and engage people experiencing homelessness and provide appropriate services.
• Identify unsheltered individuals in an assigned geographic area and establish credibility and trust through 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, including concrete next steps and shared responsibilities.
• Refer clients to housing, shelters, food programs, healthcare, and other service providers; coordinate with mental health and substance use services; and assist with transportation to appointments.
• Provide housing-focused case management, help clients obtain identification and 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.
• Conduct outreach and engagement in accordance with the Multnomah County Outreach Services Manual, including harm reduction, best practices, and data collection standards.
• Follow Multnomah County Homeless Services Department HMIS data-entry standards and document active engagements accurately and promptly.
• Complete required training for HSD-contracted street outreach.
• Collaborate with partner organizations, stakeholders, and people experiencing homelessness.
• Promote safety, social acceptance, humility, honesty, fairness, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement in work with communities.
• Maintain confidentiality, manage multiple and conflicting deadlines, and work flexible hours to meet client availability.
• Participate in recommended professional development and assigned or required training activities.

Benefits

• Full-time benefits package.
• 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, short-term disability insurance, 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