Homeless Response Coordinator

Homeless Response Coordinator

The Homeless Response Team Member provides compassionate, client-centered outreach and support services to individuals experiencing homelessness. This role requires field-based work throughout the entire shift, building trusting relationships, addressing immediate needs, connecting clients to resources, and supporting harm reduction and mental healthinformed interventions. Staff must be committed to dignity, respect, and safety for all clients served.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct street, encampment, and community-based outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness
• Build rapport and maintain respectful, nonjudgmental relationships with clients
• Provide trauma-informed, client-centered support focused on safety, stability, and self-determined goals
• Support individuals with mental health needs using de-escalation and harm reduction practices
• Connect clients to housing, medical, behavioral health, substance use, and social service resources
• Administer or support use of Naloxone (Narcan) when necessary and follow emergency protocols
• Document outreach activities, client interactions, and referrals using computer-based systems
• Coordinate with internal teams, community partners, first responders, and service providers
• Respond to crises in the field and provide basic first aid/CPR as needed
• Maintain flexibility and resourcefulness to respond to changing field conditions

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Response Coordinators will be on their feet for the entire shift
• Lunch and breaks are taken in the field
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Work is performed outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Requires walking, standing, bending, and reaching for extended periods

Other Qualifications

• Experience working with unhoused or marginalized populations
• Mental health experience, including crisis response or support
• Outreach experience in community or field-based settings
• Demonstrated commitment to harm reduction principles
• Compassionate, empathetic, and client-centered approach
• Ability to multitask and prioritize in fast-paced environments
• Strong problem-solving and resource-navigation skills
• Basic computer skills for documentation and communication
• Current or ability to obtain:
• CPR certification
• First Aid certification
• Naloxone (Narcan) training

Preferred Skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Cultural humility and respect for diverse lived experiences
• Flexibility and adaptability in unpredictable environments

About the Downtown San Diego Partnership

The Downtown San Diego Partnership (DSDP) is a nonprofit organization that serves as the principal voice and driving force behind the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of Downtown San Diego through membership, advocacy, public services, and community investment. The organization's nearly 300 members, representing a variety of business sectors including real estate, technology, banking, law, defense, insurance, communications, energy, and tourism are committed to nurturing a Downtown that benefits the entire San Diego region.

It also serves as the managing organization for several special districts and charitable foundations including the Property and Business Improvement District otherwise known as Clean & Safe which provides essential public services in the 275 blocks of Downtown. Through these programs, we have provided enhanced services in maintenance, safety, beautification, and homeless outreach, supported business promotion and retention, and improved the quality of life on behalf of Downtown's neighborhoods for more than 20 years. In all, these programs provide an annual contractual budget of approximately $13 million annually. To learn more about our work in these areas, please visit: downtownsandiego.org.

Our Values

Deliver excellent service: We strive to provide exceptional customer service through listening to our customers, providing efficient services, and innovative solutions resulting in value for our many stakeholders.

Be fun and open-minded with a quirky sense of creativity: We work hard but take time to celebrate our collective achievements and realize there's always more than one perspective to consider when approaching a challenge.

Pursue growth and learning: We invest in our people so they can continue to build skills and perspectives that enrich the work we do.

Build honest relationships and communication: We believe honesty leads to strong relationships built on a foundation of trust.

Nurture a safe work environment: We have a collective commitment to emphasize safety over competing goals to ensure the protection of people and our environment.

Inclusiveness and diversity: We honor the inherent value of every individual's unique story, experience, and perspective. We strive to amplify the voices of our staff, community, and stakeholders and to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can contribute one's authentic self.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the Downtown San Diego Partnership, we are an organization that attracts and empowers diversity throughout our workplace and in the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the whole person and the lived experience that makes each of us unique. We strive to foster a safe environment, both internally within our organization and externally towards the communities we engage with, in which we encourage all voices to be heard and amplified as needed. We know our strengths come from championing our differences and acknowledge that each person deserves a voice and a seat at the table. Our ability to feel or be united through inclusion will result in better discussions, decisions, and outcomes that will allow us to advance the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of Downtown San Diego.

DSDP is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Downtown San Diego Partnership