Service Coordinator I Generalist Sacramento

Step Up • Sacramento, CA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Service Coordinator I - Generalist, also referred to as an Outreach Specialist, is part of Step Up’s Sacramento Homeless Services Program in the City of Sacramento. The program provides outreach, housing navigation, and retention services to people experiencing chronic homelessness. The role focuses initially on street outreach and engagement, housing linkage, ongoing case management, and motel voucher services. After program members are enrolled, the position transitions to SCI-Care Coordinator, providing housing retention services and ongoing case management.

The coordinator works with approximately 33–50 participants who may face homelessness, complex trauma, medical and mental health needs, and substance use. The position includes frequent face-to-face contact, coordination with community and treatment providers, maintaining participant records, and completing required documentation and reports. The role requires working in street, shelter, and other community settings, with occasional driving and participant transportation. Employees are trained to de-escalate crises and are expected to follow Step Up’s trauma-informed care and mental health recovery principles and core values.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology or social work, or three years of related work experience.
• At least two years of experience working with the homeless population.
• Case management experience, including the ability to document and chart participant progress to meet documentation requirements.
• Own transportation, a current California driver’s license, and vehicle insurance.
• Ability to work collaboratively and as part of a team.
• Initiative and a solution-focused approach.
• Good time-management skills and the ability to balance caseload, direct service, and paperwork.
• Ability to work within one’s skills and scope of practice and seek support or training when needed.
• Ability to work with team members and homeless community providers in street settings, homeless facilities, and other locations such as police departments, churches, and hospital emergency rooms.
• Ability to engage people on the street in a meaningful way and build enough trust for them to accept offered services.
• Understanding of and commitment to safety for oneself and team members.
• Ability to perform required physical activities, including sitting; using hands and fingers; handling or feeling objects; reaching; talking and hearing; and frequently walking, balancing, stooping, kneeling, or crouching. Must occasionally lift or move up to 15 pounds.
• Ability to perform keyboard data entry and meet the stated vision requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of mainstream benefits and services.
• Knowledge or experience with mental health diagnoses and levels of functioning.
• Knowledge or experience with evidence-based practices such as Critical Time Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, Housing First, and Harm Reduction.

Responsibilities

• Conduct street outreach and engagement with people referred to the Motel Voucher and Housing Coordination Homeless Services Program.
• Build rapport and assess individuals for mental illness, co-occurring substance use, and other health care needs until services are accepted.
• Complete the VI-SPDAT homeless survey tool and submit results to the local Coordinated Entry System for entry and housing matching.
• Assess immediate needs, including crisis intervention, medical attention, showers, clothing, food, and emergency shelter.
• Triage and link participants to housing, health, financial resources, and community partners to help resolve homelessness.
• Engage assigned clients in pursuing goals and objectives, and report changes in functioning, support networks, living arrangements, financial status, physical health, and self-care to the team and clinically qualified staff.
• Communicate regularly with other treatment providers.
• Complete program paperwork and maintain documentation in Welligent or HMIS according to program standards and required timeframes.
• Maintain participant files in compliance with funder requirements and assist with data collection and quarterly or annual reports.
• Attend Step Up staff meetings and trainings as requested.
• Coordinate with City departments, including the Library, Police, Fire, Public Defender, and Parks and Recreation, to support staff education and service linkages for people experiencing homelessness.
• Provide ongoing case management and motel voucher program support to a diverse group of approximately 33–50 participants.
• Assess social, emotional, and economic factors that may interfere with participants’ stability and optimal health.
• Obtain consents and authorizations for participants in the Supportive Services Program as needed.
• Assist members with recertification and collaborate with the Housing Coordination/Navigation team to access temporary housing, obtain permanent housing, and facilitate move-in processes before and after move-in.
• Meet face-to-face with members one to three times per week before they obtain housing, and monthly or as needed after they have lived successfully in housing for at least one year.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and current files and data in agency records and electronic databases, including CHAMP and HMIS, with updates to income and demographic information.
• Maintain participant confidentiality in accordance with HIPM and applicable guidelines.
• Document services within 48 hours using the G.I.R.P. format: Goal, Intervention, Response, Plan.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Opportunities for growth and professional development.
• Paid time off, including 13 paid holidays, 10 days of EPTO, and 12 sick days.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Aflac insurance.
• $25,000 life insurance.
• 403(b) retirement plan available on the first day of work.
• After working 1,000 hours, Step Up matches 3% of the 6% contributed by the employee.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level