Homeless Outreach Coordinator - Provisional

Introduction

The ideal candidate is a proactive, community-facing leader who seamlessly bridges the gap between field crisis response and long-term housing solutions. They bring a balance of street-level tactical leadership, deep compassionate care, and structured system coordination.

• Directing daily field operations of street outreach teams using Housing First and Harm Reduction.
• Coordinating on-the-scene crisis response directly with Fire/EMS, law enforcement, and healthcare providers.
• Guiding multidisciplinary teams through high-acuity interventions and complex field safety situations.
• Delivering compassionate, person-centered care to individuals experiencing severe mental illness and substance use.

• Managing daily utilization of HMIS and the Coordinated Entry System (CES) to track client outcomes.
• Streamlining referral pathways to transition individuals from emergency street contact to stable housing.
• Monitoring program metrics and contract compliance for grant-funded street outreach initiatives.

• Serving as the primary point of contact for local businesses, libraries, and nonprofit partners.
• Translating field-level data into clear reports and presentations for executive leadership and public officials.
• Resolving community concerns regarding street homelessness through proactive communication and relationship building.

Examples of Duties

Leads coordinates, and oversees Oceanside’s Housing-Focused Street Outreach program and field operations; implements the five core elements of the NAEH Housing-Focused Street Outreach Framework: data-informed decision-making, strategic collaboration, person-centered engagement, community health & safety, and housing-first pathways; develops policies, procedures, workflows, and crisis protocols for the HEART Outreach Team; oversees outreach planning, daily deployment, field routing, and prioritization of encampments and high-impact locations; coordinates with Interfaith to streamline referrals, Navigation Center placements, crisis housing pathways, and service matches; facilitates weekly case conferencing with community partners and internal stakeholders; conducts advanced, trauma-informed, culturally responsive outreach to individuals in encampments, vehicles, and public spaces; performs complex client engagement using problem-solving conversations, diversion/prevention strategies, and supportive listening; assists clients in obtaining essential documents (ID, birth certificate, Social Security card, income verification); completes housing readiness steps and CES assessments as required; provides warm handoffs to Interfaith Navigation Center, ECM providers, shelters, behavioral health teams, and medical partners; supports clients in reunification efforts, shared housing, and other housing opportunities consistent with Housing Problem Solving; oversees accurate and timely HMIS entries for the HEART Team; monitors data quality, caseloads, performance metrics, and housing outcomes; prepares reports, memos, and presentations for the Homeless Services Manager, City leadership, and City Council; tracks outreach trends, demographic data, housing placements, and encampment engagement outcomes; implements safety protocols for the HEART team including field communication, environmental scanning, and crisis triage; collaborates with HOT, law enforcement, Fire/EMS, libraries, and parks to coordinate safe, housing-focused responses; ensures encampment engagement is conducted with dignity, communication, and consistency; participates in critical incident responses and coordinate support for high-acuity clients; represents the City in meetings with government agencies, providers, healthcare partners, faith communities, and local businesses; strengthens relationships with culturally specific and equity-focused organizations; conducts public outreach and education on homelessness services and HEART outreach operations; supervises, trains, mentors, schedules, and evaluates Outreach Specialists and support staff; provides in-field coaching on trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, de-escalation, and housing navigation; assists in hiring, onboarding, and establishing training standards for new staff; participates in budget monitoring for outreach-related activities; assists in grant compliance, contract monitoring, and performance reporting prepares written correspondence, summaries, and documentation for leadership and partners and performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Housing-Focused Street Outreach Framework best practices
• Trauma-informed engagement, motivational interviewing, and crisis de-escalation
• Homeless services systems, Coordinated Entry, and low-barrier shelters
• Federal, state, and local homeless services laws (including AB 362)
• Harm Reduction principles and Housing First philosophy
• Encampment response coordination and field safety
• Community resources, behavioral health systems, Medi-Cal/ECM, and benefit programs
• Principles of case management, documentation, and client confidentiality
• Principles of supervision, leadership, and training

• Lead and coordinate a housing-focused outreach program effectively
• Build rapport with individuals experiencing chronic homelessness
• Analyze data to inform outreach decisions and improve outcomes
• Conduct accurate, timely HMIS documentation
• Facilitate case conferencing and multidisciplinary communications
• Interpret complex laws, policies, and procedures
• Exercise independent judgment and creative problem-solving
• Maintain professionalism in fast-paced or crisis situations
• Communicate clearly in both written and verbal formats
• Mentor outreach staff and support their development

• Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver’s license with a satisfactory driving record.
• CPR/First Aid Certification, Crisis Intervention, HMIS, and de-escalation techniques training is highly desirable.

• Must be available to work a variety of shifts, including early mornings, nights, and occasional weekends.
• Bilingual ability to read and speak in English/Spanish is highly desirable.
• Maintain open and positive relationships in the community with a diverse population.

Working Conditions and Selection Process

Environmental Conditions:
Indoor and outdoor environment with extensive fieldwork, including encampments, outdoor environments and client homes; exposure to weather, noise, and environmental hazards may occur; extensive public contact; exposure to computer screens.

Physical Conditions:
Essential functions may require maintaining physical ability and mobility necessary for: walking, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, twisting or standing; moderate or light lifting (up to 25 pounds); use of fingers, hands and arms for reaching, pushing, pulling; speaking and hearing to exchange information; visual acuity to read or observe and interpret information; and will be required to travel from site to site traveling to various work locations, activities, meetings and events outside of assigned work location.

• Please note, all dates and/or timeframes are subject to change.