Peer Outreach Specialist (Homeless Services Program)

Description

Summary 

This is a full-time, in-person position at Goodwill Headquarters in San Jose, CA.

At Mission Services of Silicon Valley, our purpose is simple and powerful: to help people build skills, find meaningful work, and thrive in our community. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been a trusted partner in connecting opportunity with people’s potential. By working hand in hand with local experts, employers, and community members, we create pathways to education, employment, and lasting economic mobility. 

As a team, we are committed to: 

Empowering one another to do our best work and grow together. 

Building strong partnerships and serving as a driving force for economic opportunity in Silicon Valley. 

Modeling teamwork, integrity, and cultural intelligence in everything we do. 

Acting with mutual respect—for each other, our community, and the environment we share. 

The STRIVE Outreach Specialist plays a critical front-end role in Mission Services’ workforce and stabilization continuum. This position drives participant identification, engagement, and program enrollment for individuals transitioning from homelessness through SJ Bridge and STRIVE. Outreach connects individuals to rapid employment, supportive navigation, and vocational pathways that lead to stability. 

The Outreach Specialist ensures high-quality engagement, accurate pre-screening, and seamless hand-off to Case Managers and program staff. This role is responsible for meeting monthly outreach, enrollment, and documentation metrics tied directly to STRIVE contract performance. 

Job Responsibilities 

Participant Engagement & Navigation (30%) 

• Establish rapport quickly with individuals experiencing homelessness or instability. 
• Support participants through enrollment by helping gather documents, completing pre-hire steps, and preparing for crew assignment. 
• Provide immediate barrier identification and referral (transportation, documentation, behavioral health, emergency supports). 
• Ensure warm hand-offs to Case Manager I/II and the employment/crew onboarding team. 
• Support participants with basic career readiness expectations. 

Outreach & Recruitment (40%) 

• Conduct targeted outreach at Emergency Interim Housing (EIH), shelters, encampments, drop-in centers, and SJ Bridge partner locations. 
• Complete all required pre-screens within 24 hours of contact and maintain an active outreach pipeline. 
• Represent MSSV at onsite events, community meetings, and partner briefings. 
• Maintain a master list of referral partners and community touchpoints; ensure weekly touchpoints with partners. 
• Identify participants appropriate for rapid employment, vocational training, and STRIVE work crews. 

Coordination with STRIVE/SJ Bridge Program Operations (20%) 

• Collaborate with Program Manager, Case Managers ensure enrollment targets are met monthly. 
• Maintain weekly communication with EIH partners for cross-referrals and crew readiness. 
• Assist in preparing participants for orientation, safety briefings, and first-day expectations. 
• Assist with filling open crew roles through targeted outreach and recruiting aligned with program needs. 
• Support the onboarding team to ensure all participants are fully processed and “work ready.” 

Compliance, Data, and Quality Standards (10%) 

• Maintain accurate and complete case notes, logs, rosters, and pre-screen forms. 
• Adhere to all MSSV documentation, confidentiality, and data integrity requirements. 
• Enter all outreach data into CaseWorthy, Excell trackers, and program logs within required timeframes. 
• Participate in team meetings, training, and continuous improvement cycles 

Responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally either orally or in writing. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications/Experience 

• High School Diploma 

• Must possess vehicle, insurance, California Driver's License and excellent driving record 

• Computer literacy and knowledge of MS Office required 

Preferred Qualifications 

• 2 years working with the Homeless population is desired 

Equipment Used 

• Computer, telephone, copy and FAX machines 

Aptitudes/Skills/Temperament 

• Ability to communicate, verbally and in writing 

• Knowledge of highly-utilized locations in San Jose where the homeless congregate and camp 

• Understanding of and sensitivity to the needs of the homeless 

• Strong verbal and written skills; knowledge of multiple languages is desirable 

• Good problem-solving skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks 

• Ability to work with people of diverse social backgrounds and professional rank 

• Demonstrated effective communication skills 

• Knowledge and understanding of community resources and human services 

• Initiative, flexibility, and the capacity to respond effectively in all situations 

• Good collaboration skills and the ability to work independently with limited supervision 

• Ability to work as part of a diverse team 

• General learning ability. The ability to "catch on" or understand instructions and their underlying principles. The ability to reason and make judgments. 

Emotional Effort 

• Moderate: Occasional short deadlines. The work environment is occasionally hectic with occasional high activity, with great emphasis on teamwork.  

• May work with client suffering with mental illness and/or emotional barriers  

Job Setting 

• The job is performed both indoors and outdoors. There is regular contact with the public, homeless encampments and community agencies. The position will require outreaching in the homeless encampments with minimal supervision. 

Physical Requirements 

• Due to the variety of assignments with this position a person must have the ability to stand, bend, kneel, reach forward and overhead. Standing, sitting, carrying, pushing, and pulling will also be involved. 

Working Conditions: 

• Work Environment, mainly in-office, but this position does have both in-office and outside-office work 

• Ability to travel to local destination, both by vehicle and on foot 

• Ability to walk long distance and on rough terrain ( such as trails to creek-side encampments and high traffic areas) 

• A moderate emotional level effort is required, with occasional high stress with short deadlines. 

Key Performance Indicators 

Success in this role will be measured by the ability to: 

• Expand High-Impact Outreach & Increase STRIVE Recruitment 

• Build Strong Recruitment Relationships With the 12 Designated Shelter 

• Strengthen Community Presence & Collaboration 

• Ensure High-Quality Data Entry, Case Notes & HR Intake Compliance 

Mission Services of Silicon Valley is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, order of protection status, protected veteran or military status, or an unfavorable discharge from military service, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law 

Salary : $24 - $26