Street Medicine Outreach Specialist

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department•Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, WA

23h

About The Position

The Street Medicine Outreach Specialist (Health Promotion Coordinator I) works with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s Street Medicine Program to provide services to people experiencing homelessness in Tacoma. This full-time, 1.0 FTE project position is in the Strengthening Families Division and is currently funded through September 29, 2027. The role involves direct outreach to the unsheltered community, operating outreach vehicles, organizing and distributing supplies, connecting people to healthcare and community resources, and building partnerships. Outreach is conducted in varied weather and settings and calls for flexibility, adaptability, and a compassionate, trauma-informed approach. This is the second level in the Health Promotion Coordinator series. The employee works independently under a supervisor and follows established directives, procedures, and confidentiality requirements. The role supports community health promotion and prevention programs through substantial client contact, referrals, education, data collection, and collaboration with community organizations. The starting wage is $31.87–$34.12 per hour; the full salary range is $31.87–$43.11 per hour. The position includes insurance, retirement plan options, leave accruals, annual cost-of-living salary increases, and employee programs.

Requirements

Associate’s degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary qualifications.
Three years of relevant experience in a health, environmental, education, government, or other public-sector organization, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certified Peer Support Specialist certification (required).
Personal lived experience with houselessness, mental health or substance-use recovery, or being the parent or legal guardian of a youth who has received behavioral health services, to qualify for the required peer-support certification.
WA Healthplanfinder Navigator Certification (required).
Valid driver’s license and acceptable driver’s abstract before employment.
Ability to operate a cargo van and RV.
Knowledge of local housing, healthcare, and food-assistance resources and community agencies.
Strong communication skills and ability to engage people from diverse backgrounds, including people experiencing mental health or substance-use issues.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with privacy laws, including HIPAA.
Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, databases, and virtual meeting software.
Knowledge of marketing and communications principles, presentation techniques, health-promotion education, and social-science assessment, intervention, and consultation practices.
Knowledge of educational materials creation and health-promotion methods.
Skill in meeting facilitation, organization, interviewing, assessment, and handling sensitive information with discretion.
Ability to communicate clearly and adapt written and spoken communication to the audience.
Ability to work in varied settings and weather conditions, maintain situational awareness, and work effectively with distressed or confrontational individuals.
Ability to travel locally or regionally, operate a motor vehicle in varied lighting and weather, and perform the stated physical demands, including moving objects up to 50 pounds.
Willingness to obtain first aid and CPR certification upon hire if not already certified.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of experience working with underserved communities.
Experience in homeless outreach, community engagement, or healthcare.
Experience in social services, community outreach, or healthcare, particularly with underserved populations such as people experiencing homelessness.
Bilingual ability in Spanish or another language widely spoken in Pierce County.
First aid and CPR certification, or willingness to obtain it upon hire.

Responsibilities

Build rapport with clients and provide understandable health education and information, addressing barriers to services.
Gather, share, and assess information to identify effective, evidence-informed, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed interventions.
Safely operate and maintain a cargo van and RV, transporting team members, supplies, and outreach materials to service locations.
Stock, prepare, organize, and maintain vehicles and outreach supplies, including hygiene kits, food, clothing, and healthcare resources.
Track and replenish inventory, including items weighing up to 50 pounds, and maintain accurate supply records.
Collect outreach data and accurately enter participant, service-need, and resource-distribution information into digital or paper systems.
Set up safe, organized outreach stations and distribute essential resources in varied weather conditions.
Engage individuals with respect and empathy using a trauma-informed approach.
Assist people with online health insurance applications through WA Healthplanfinder and help them navigate enrollment.
Clean and disinfect outreach vehicles and maintain them in safe, sanitary condition.
Attend team meetings and collaborate on service delivery, engagement, and operational improvements.
Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, businesses, service providers, clients, coalitions, and other partners.
Help plan, coordinate, and staff community events and educational or informational programs for culturally diverse audiences.
Help clients navigate healthcare systems and public health programs, by phone and in person, and connect them to community resources.
Identify health-related social needs and make referrals for housing, food, personal safety, transportation, childcare, chronic disease management, maternal and child health, behavioral health, and medical care.
Engage community partners to increase awareness and prevention of public health issues, including violence, childhood health and mortality, oral health, and substance use.
Collect and maintain program data, records, and information about target populations and community needs.
Use a purchasing card to make purchases for the assigned program and participate in Title XIX Medicaid Claiming if required.
Follow workplace safety practices, report unsafe conditions, and understand and apply emergency procedures; participate in emergency preparedness activities and may be assigned emergency-response duties outside regular responsibilities.
Perform other duties as assigned.