Outreach Specialist - DHS

Pathways To Housing Dc Dsc•Washington, DC

3d•$58,000 - $62,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Pathways to Housing DC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending homelessness through a Housing First approach. Our Homeless Services Team builds trusting relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness and connects them to housing, healthcare, benefits, and other critical supports that promote long-term stability and recovery. The Outreach Specialist provides direct outreach services to individuals experiencing homelessness throughout Washington, DC. Working primarily in the community, this role focuses on engagement, advocacy, crisis response, resource coordination, and housing navigation for individuals who may not independently seek services. Approximately 75% of work is conducted in the field, including street outreach and encampment engagement. Successful candidates are compassionate, self-motivated, and committed to Housing First, harm reduction, and person-centered care.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field.
Strong interpersonal, documentation, and computer skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively engage clients, community partners, and multidisciplinary teams.
Demonstrated cultural competence and the ability to provide respectful, person-centered, and trauma-informed services to individuals from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
Commitment to Housing First, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and person-centered services.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and Spanish.
1-2 years of experience providing homeless outreach or direct services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Demonstrated knowledge of harm reduction theory and practice.
Knowledge of mental health and substance use treatment approaches.
Familiarity with community resources and homeless service systems.
Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

Build relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness through consistent outreach and engagement.
Maintain a caseload of up to 25 clients and develop individualized service plans.
Assess client needs and connect individuals to appropriate resources and supports.
Provide basic necessities including clothing, hygiene products, food, and transportation assistance.
Assist clients with applications for Medicaid, SNAP, Social Security benefits, and other public assistance programs.
Connect clients to housing, medical care, mental health services, and substance use treatment.
Navigate systems of care by connecting clients to appropriate community resources and coordinating care with external partners to ensure continuity of services, reduce barriers to care, and support positive client outcomes.
Accompany clients to appointments and provide warm handoffs to community providers.
Advocate for clients to access services, benefits, and housing opportunities.
Respond to community concerns involving individuals experiencing homelessness.
Participate in crisis intervention and support individuals experiencing medical or behavioral health crises.
Maintain timely and accurate documentation, assessments, referrals, progress notes, and incident reports in the Homeless Management Information System.
Collaborate with internal teams and community partners to coordinate care and services.

Benefits

15 days of paid vacation to start
11 paid holidays
10 paid Sick/Wellness days
Health insurance for individuals, partners, and families
Employer-sponsored Health Savings Account (HSA)
Dental and Vision Insurance
Employer-paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
Employer-paid Life Insurance
403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
Employer-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Optional employee-paid benefits including Legal Coverage, Short-Term Disability, and Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits