Outreach Specialist

Title: Outreach Specialist

Salary: $36.06/hour non-exempt

Shift: Monday through Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM (flexible with the needs of the program)

Reports To: Director of Program Operations

Greater Good Northwest supports participant-centered communities that inspire dignity, sustainability, and purpose. We are committed to assisting participants in navigating the wellspring of community resources available, meeting individuals where they are at, and helping them overcome their barriers. At the core of that mission is respect and the intentional forging of meaningful relationships. This trust allows us to serve as mediators and connectors between participants and internal Greater Good programs, as well as external community resources.

Our organization is proud to be led by a dynamic Black woman who brings a wealth of experience, vision, and a deep commitment to fostering an inclusive, innovative, and empowering work environment. Her leadership is rooted in a passion for social justice, diversity, and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities. As a trailblazer, she is dedicated to building a workplace where all voices are valued, and where creativity and collaboration thrive. Her leadership style emphasizes mentorship, empathy, and a strong sense of purpose, guiding the organization towards making a meaningful impact both internally and in the broader community.

Summary:

The Outreach Specialist plays a critical role in supporting individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness by building trusting relationships through proactive, street-based outreach and connecting participants to housing, shelter, and supportive services. This position provides assertive outreach, engagement, resource navigation, barrier resolution, and coordinated entry support to help participants access permanent housing as quickly as possible while meeting their immediate needs.

The Outreach Specialist works closely with participants, outreach team members, Washington County partners, community-based organizations, emergency shelter providers, healthcare providers, and other service systems to coordinate services and improve housing outcomes. The position is responsible for conducting Community Connect assessments, maintaining accurate HMIS documentation, participating in coordinated outreach efforts, and supporting participants throughout the housing navigation process.

This role is grounded in Housing First, Trauma-Informed Care, Harm Reduction, Low-Barrier service delivery, Motivational Interviewing, and assertive engagement, with a strong emphasis on participant-centered problem solving, relationship building, and reducing barriers to housing and services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Outreach and Engagement:

• Conduct proactive, street-based outreach in assigned geographic areas during scheduled outreach hours in accordance with Washington County's coordinated outreach strategy. Maintain a minimum of 20 hours per week of field-based outreach.
• Conduct outreach with a minimum of two outreach staff or approved outreach partners. Outreach shall not be conducted alone except in accordance with approved organizational safety procedures.
• Identify, engage, assess, and maintain ongoing contact with individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
• Provide basic needs supplies such as food, hygiene products, clothing, and other resources as available.
• Respond empathetically and maintain consistent, non-judgmental engagement with participants.
• Participate in Inclement Weather Shelter (IWS) activations and County briefings as assigned.
• Adjust schedules during IWS activations, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Maintain knowledge of available emergency shelter resources during IWS events.

2. Intake, Case Management, and Coordinated Entry:

• Complete Community Connect and Housing Problem Solving assessments.
• Refer participants to housing programs, shelter, healthcare, behavioral health, and supportive services while maintaining ongoing engagement.
• Maintain HMIS enrollments, assessments, referrals, case notes, services, and exits within required timelines. Ensure documentation is accurate, complete, and consistent with Washington County Data Quality standards.
• Develop participant-centered housing plans using motivational interviewing.
• Assist participants in identifying and overcoming barriers to housing, shelter, and services.
• Document at least two service transactions each month for enrolled households consistent with program requirements.

3. Community Partnerships and Advocacy:

• Respond to referrals from a variety of sources within a specified time frame to provide an alternative to police involvement.
• Participate in ongoing, recurring Washington County and/or community partner meetings.
• Work with on-site community partners to identify opportunities to meet participant needs.
• Maintain effective communication with all relevant Director team members, staff, programs, Washington County partners, and community partners.

4. Resource Procurement:

• Identify and secure critical resources for participants to support their journey toward housing stability and self-sufficiency.

5. Professional Conduct and Compliance:

• Complete all required Washington County, HMIS, safety, anti-discrimination, and program trainings within required timelines (generally within 60 days of hire).
• Maintain clear and professional boundaries with participants.
• Follow Critical Incident Reporting and organizational safety procedures.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy and security regulations applicable to the program, and to Greater Good NW policies and agreements regarding confidentiality, privacy, and security.
• Participate in Greater Good NW supervisor and staff meetings
• Other assigned tasks and duties appropriate to the position.

Skills:

• Balancing of relational trauma-informed case management with professional boundaries.
• Consistent, clear, and direct communication with staff and participants.
• Ability to display a non-judgmental attitude, and a willingness to learn new skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate, current records.
• Excellent organizational, written and communication skills.
• Must have a clear understanding of what it means to maintain professional boundaries and demonstrate the ability to uphold these standards at all times.
• Knowledge of procedures, techniques, and standards to optimize individual case management practice.
• Ability to analyze complex social problems and develop effective solutions; problem solve.
• Ability to work courteously with the general public, participants, and co-workers.
• Ability to research and broaden knowledge to advocate for participants within ever-shifting social services landscape.

Qualifications:

• Understanding of Housing First, Trauma Informed, and Harm Reduction models.
• Ability to effectively interact with co-workers and clients with diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, political affiliations, cultural backgrounds, life-styles, sexual orientations, and gender identities and treat each individual with respect and dignity.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing houselessness and/or social services experience is referred.

Pay: $36.06 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $36