State Homeless Outreach Specialist

FT / PT Status – Full-Time Salary – $26.00 - $29.00 Hourly Wage Remote Work / In-Office – Hybrid Recruiter – Breanna Granger | bgranger@utah.gov | 801-526-4337 Application Deadline – 9/7/2026*

• This job posting may close at any time after the minimum advertising period of three (3) business days has passed, should a sufficient applicant pool be received. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
  
  

Key Responsibilities

Job Summary

Performs professional-level field outreach and encampment-response support as a member of the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) Community Outreach and Rapid Engagement (CORE) team. Reporting to the CORE Program Manager, the Specialist carries out ground-level engagement and needs assessment, referral and connection to services, site documentation and follow-up, and coordination with contracted providers at the point of contact. The Specialist engages individuals experiencing homelessness, connects them to emergency shelter, treatment, healthcare, behavioral health, employment, and other supportive services, and helps ensure that field operations are documented, paired with meaningful outreach, and aligned with statewide priorities.

Reporting Relationship

This position reports to and operates under the direction of the OHS CORE Program Manager. The Principal Duties below are organized under the CORE team's four operational functional areas.

Principal Duties

Public Safety & Interagency Response

• Provide on-site field support during activated responses to public disorder, encampment-related hazards, and acute incidents, following the operational direction of the CORE Program Manager.
• Serve as a field point of contact for partner agencies during operations, including law enforcement, municipal officials, public works, and emergency services.
• Communicate field conditions, safety concerns, and emerging needs to the CORE Program Manager to inform coordinated, multi-jurisdictional response.
  
  

Encampment Operations

• Conduct on-the-ground site assessments and document site conditions before and after operations, including photo documentation for compliance.
• Coordinate with contracted providers, contractors, and field resources at the point of contact during cleanups and remediations.
• Follow established safety protocols and PPE requirements, and escalate to the CORE Program Manager when specialized disposal or an environmental remediation contractor is required.
• Monitor locations for recurring impacts and report recurrence to support operational prioritization.
  
  

Outreach & Referral

• Conduct outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness in encampments, shelters, public spaces, and other community settings.
• Connect individuals with shelter, healthcare, behavioral health, substance use treatment, employment, and other community resources, and make referrals to appropriate service providers.
• Document all contacts and service connections in UHMIS.
  
  

System Coordination & Documentation

• Document outreach and operational activities and prepare reports as required by the CORE Program Manager.
• Support intake of reports through the program's ticketing system and maintain accurate records for dashboard and performance tracking.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships at the field level with local governments, nonprofits, law enforcement, healthcare and behavioral health providers, and other community partners.
• Participate in coordination meetings and multidisciplinary outreach teams as directed, and represent the program at community events.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge Of

• Community resources and service systems.
• Crisis intervention and engagement techniques.
• Community collaboration and partnership development.
• Basic field safety, hazardous-materials awareness, and proper use of personal protective equipment.
  
  

Skill In

• Interpersonal communication.
• Problem-solving and resource coordination.
• Public speaking and community engagement.
• Maintaining accurate records and documentation.
  
  

Ability To

• Engage individuals experiencing homelessness in a respectful manner.
• Develop productive working relationships with community partners.
• Coordinate services across multiple organizations.
• Exercise sound judgment in dynamic, unpredictable field environments.
• Follow safety protocols and work in proximity to biohazards and hazardous materials.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Travel throughout the state as needed.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree; or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience. Preference may be given to applicants with experience in:

• Behavioral health or crisis intervention.
• Field outreach, encampment response, or environmental services.
• Community partnership development.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Frequent field work and travel throughout Salt Lake County, and as the program expands, potentially statewide.
• Regular work performed outdoors and in community settings, including encampment sites with uneven or difficult terrain and varied weather conditions.
• Requires walking, standing, bending, and lifting and carrying equipment and supplies, and the use of personal protective equipment when responding to sites that may contain biohazards or hazardous materials.
• May involve contact with individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, substance use disorders, or other complex needs.
• A valid driver license is required for field travel.
  
  

Typical Characteristics

Employees in this classification perform field outreach and encampment-response support while exercising considerable judgment in dynamic situations, under the direction of the CORE Program Manager. Work requires building effective partnerships with community stakeholders, engaging individuals experiencing homelessness, coordinating access to services at the point of contact, documenting operations, and supporting collaborative efforts to strengthen local homeless response systems.

About The Role

Location –

140 E 300 S

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111

United States

Background Check Required – You must successfully pass a criminal history check.

Schedule Code – B - Competitive Career Service

Why You Should Join Our Team

Benefits

In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah , click here . Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.
  
  

The Agency The mission of Workforce Services is to strengthen Utah's communities by supporting the economic stability and quality of our workforce. Today, more than 2,200 Workforce Services employees assist individuals in preparing for and finding jobs, meeting workforce needs of Utah businesses, administering temporary assistance, and providing economic data and analysis. Through a collaborative approach, the department has served millions of Utahns and has become a leader on several statewide initiatives. These include intergenerational poverty, homelessness, affordable housing, supporting refugees, helping rural communities, serving veterans and individuals with disabilities, and getting Utahns trained and back to work. To learn more about Workforce Services, click here.

EEO Statement The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact (801) 957-9390.