Outreach Worker

Outreach Worker

At Project HOME, every role contributes to our mission of empowering individuals to achieve stability, wellness, and self-determination. As an Outreach Worker, you'll engage individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness throughout Philadelphia, building trust, providing advocacy, and connecting people to housing, healthcare, behavioral health services, and other critical resources.

Working as part of the Outreach Coordination Center (OCC), you'll meet people where they are, helping individuals navigate barriers to housing and stability while collaborating with community partners, service providers, and public agencies.

If you're compassionate, resourceful, and committed to supporting vulnerable populations, we'd love to hear from you.

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Schedule: Full-Time | Monday through Friday, 3:00PM to 11:00PM

Compensation: $19.68 per hour

As an Outreach Worker, you'll serve on the front lines of Philadelphia's homelessness response system, engaging people experiencing chronic street homelessness and connecting them to the services and supports needed to achieve long-term stability.

As a member of the Outreach Coordination Center (OCC), you'll work directly in the community, building relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness, coordinating resources, advocating for participants, and supporting transitions into housing and other services. Through persistence, compassion, and collaboration, you'll help individuals move from crisis toward stability and recovery.

What You'll Do

Conduct Street Outreach & Build Trust

• Engage individuals experiencing homelessness with a focus on chronically unsheltered individuals.
• Build rapport and establish trusting relationships through consistent, person-centered engagement.
• Assess participant needs and identify barriers to housing, healthcare, and other services.
• Maintain an active focus list and provide ongoing outreach and follow-up support.
• Support individuals with dignity, respect, and a commitment to self-determination.

Connect Participants to Housing & Services

• Assist participants with accessing shelters, housing opportunities, behavioral health services, healthcare, benefits, and community resources.
• Advocate on behalf of participants to ensure appropriate supports and referrals are provided.
• Coordinate housing placements and transitions to shelter, residential programs, and permanent housing.
• Support participants in navigating complex service systems.

Collaborate with Providers & Community Partners

• Work closely with behavioral health providers, healthcare systems, shelters, outreach agencies, law enforcement, businesses, and community organizations.
• Coordinate with outreach partners including VA services, PHMC, Hall Mercer, and other provider agencies.
• Monitor community "hot spots" and coordinate service delivery where unsheltered individuals are concentrated.
• Serve as a professional representative of Project HOME within the community.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all participant engagements.
• Enter and maintain participant data within HMIS, PATH, ETO, and other required databases.
• Submit outreach reports, placement updates, contact logs, and engagement summaries.
• Maintain focus lists and ensure documentation complies with contractual and reporting requirements.
• Review shelter availability, placement opportunities, and service options regularly.

Support Team Operations

• Participate in supervision, staff meetings, case reviews, and ongoing professional development.
• Coordinate outreach efforts with the larger Outreach Coordination Center team.
• Safely operate Project HOME outreach vehicles.
• Maintain agency equipment, devices, and outreach materials.

What You'll Need

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required.

Experience

• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use disorders, or other vulnerable populations.
• Knowledge of homelessness services and housing resources available throughout Philadelphia.
• Experience providing advocacy, outreach, case management, or community-based support services preferred.

Licenses & Certifications

• Valid driver's license required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to establish trust with diverse individuals and communities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic computer proficiency and ability to utilize electronic database systems.
• Commitment to confidentiality, dignity, and participant-centered engagement.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in dynamic community settings.
• Strong alignment with Project HOME's mission and values.

What You May Bring

While not required, the following qualifications may help you succeed in this role:

• Some college coursework or degree.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English.
• Street outreach experience.
• Experience working within homeless services, behavioral health, or substance use treatment programs.
• Knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and Housing First practices.
• Experience with HMIS or other case management databases.
• Previous supervisory or leadership experience.

What We Offer

Project HOME is committed to supporting the well-being of our employees through a comprehensive benefits package.

Eligible employees enjoy:

• Competitive compensation
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with low employee costs
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Generous Paid Time Off, including paid sabbatical leave
• Employee wellness programs
• Professional development and career growth opportunities

Who We Are

Project HOME is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to ending homelessness and poverty in Philadelphia. Through integrated housing, healthcare, education, employment, and supportive services, we empower individuals to break the cycle of homelessness and achieve lasting stability.

The Outreach Coordination Center (OCC) meets individuals where they are-on the streets, in encampments, and throughout the community-to provide compassionate engagement, advocacy, and pathways to housing and recovery.

We believe every person deserves dignity, opportunity, and the support needed to thrive.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Project HOME is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Project HOME conducts background checks, reference checks, and drug screenings on all final candidates as a condition of employment.