Housing Specialist - Outreach, Housing Solutions Center

Housing Solutions Center•Vancouver, WA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Housing Specialist - Outreach works with youth and young adults ages 12–24 experiencing homelessness or housing instability, particularly those living outside or in systems of care. The role helps them navigate coordinated assessment from entry through diversion and/or housing placement, and collaborates with partner-agency outreach teams to understand referral needs and identify people eligible for programs. The position is based in the Vancouver, Washington office and requires in-person work for the first 30 days. After that, a hybrid schedule may be approved based on business needs and manager approval. Hybrid employees are expected to work most of their week in the office or community. The role receives direction from the Housing Solutions Center Coordinated Outreach Manager and receives minimal supervision. The work includes community and systems-of-care outreach, client meetings in the field, at satellite locations, or by phone, and regular evening and weekend coverage. At least 30% of working hours must be in the evening and on at least one weekend day. The position is 40 hours per week, with occasional evening or weekend shifts as determined necessary. It includes extensive walking, outdoor work, and travel within Clark County; reliable transportation and access to a vehicle are required, and mileage is reimbursed under agency policy. Staff may not transport clients. The role requires independent judgment, strong customer service and interpersonal skills, discretion when handling confidential information, and the ability to work amid changing priorities and occasional urgent situations. It includes secondary supervisory responsibility for assigned volunteers and interns. Criminal and driving records satisfactory to VHA/HSC are conditions of employment.

Requirements

At least four years of experience working directly with people who are low-income and/or homeless, or equivalent experience.
Experience working with youth and young adults.
Experience working with diverse populations, including people experiencing mental health symptoms and/or substance use.
Commitment to equitable access to the local homeless crisis response system for everyone who qualifies for assistance.
Experience with public speaking, presentations, and facilitating meetings.
Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills.
Valid driver’s license and access to an automobile; reliable vehicle access is required for travel around Clark County during workdays.
Strong cultural awareness and humility.
Proficiency with Google Drive and Microsoft Office Suite, and strong computer skills.
Experience with de-escalation and crisis intervention by phone or in person.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills for working with staff and clients from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
Knowledge of coordinated-entry and assessment best practices and Clark County resources for low-income and homeless individuals and families.
Ability to read, speak, write, and understand English to work effectively with staff, community partners, and clients.
Basic data-entry and math skills to input data and generate reports.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion, stay organized, make decisions, provide customer service, and work as part of a team.
Ability to remain empathetic, kind, and nonjudgmental; accept feedback; and work independently and collaboratively amid changing priorities.
Ability to maintain strong interpersonal boundaries and self-care practices.
Ability to meet established performance standards and handle confidential information with discretion.
Satisfactory criminal and driving records, as determined by VHA/HSC, are conditions of employment.
Must not transport clients.

Nice To Haves

Language skills in Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, Chuukese, or American Sign Language.
Lived experience as someone who is low-income or homeless.
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or a related field.
Ability to write, sign, and/or speak a language other than English represented in the diverse community served.
Supervisory experience.
Experience providing formal assessments.
Identification as a member of a population disproportionately affected by homelessness.
Knowledge of Clark County resources and agencies serving people experiencing homelessness.

Responsibilities

Maintain flexibility and collaborate with the team to ensure people living outside or in systems of care can access coordinated entry and resource navigation.
Develop partnerships and referral opportunities for systems of care serving youth and young adults in collaboration with the Coordinated Outreach Manager.
Engage with people experiencing homelessness in the community and systems of care, connecting them to immediate shelter and housing programs and helping reduce barriers to housing.
Provide diversion coaching and financial assistance as needed.
Provide client-centered, proactive support and connect clients with requested and appropriate resources.
Create, complete, and maintain accurate files and data entry in accordance with funding-source requirements.
Meet agency confidentiality requirements and exercise discretion with sensitive information.
Meet with clients in the field, at satellite locations, or by phone according to their needs and ongoing assignments.
Provide outreach during evenings and at least one weekend day on a regular schedule.
Work with partner agencies and government funders to ensure eligibility determinations are accurate and supporting documentation meets program funding requirements.
Build and maintain positive, productive relationships with colleagues, teams, and partner agencies.
Apply trauma-informed and equity-focused approaches when serving and communicating with clients, colleagues, and staff.
Comply with position and department safety and attendance standards.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
Provide secondary supervision to assigned volunteers and interns, within VHA and HSC policy constraints.
Make recommendations regarding long-range operational and strategic planning.