Street Outreach Specialist

Job Overview City of Durham's Durham Community Safety Department (DCSD) is hiring three Street Outreach Specialists to join its newly expanded Street Outreach team. The role supports the department’s HEART (Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Teams) initiatives by providing frontline outreach, counseling, and housing linkage for people experiencing homelessness. Salary: $23.57 - $28.66 per hour. Hours: 40 per week, Monday-Friday. Shifts are 7 am‑3 pm or 1 pm‑9 pm, with potential weekend coverage as the program grows. Values and Cultural Fit Committed to Housing First principles and pragmatic systems change. Passionate about serving the unhoused and walking alongside them through housing, recovery, employment, and medical care. Thrives in collaborative teamwork and engaging in difficult conversations. Values continuous learning and translating insights into real change. Eager to learn about people, social systems, and innovative approaches to care. Passionate about caring for others while balancing self‑care. Core Responsibilities Champion a Housing First mentality that views housing as a primary solution. Meet neighbors where they’re at to build trusting relationships and support housing stability. Demonstrate persistence and creativity in connecting neighbors to services and housing options. Provide culturally competent engagement and peer counseling for individuals experiencing homelessness. Partner with team members and supervisors for outreach coordination, care, and housing follow‑up. Collaborate with 911 crisis response staff and develop person‑specific protocols when needed. Nurture collaborative relationships with external providers to secure housing and additional services. Maintain accurate documentation and records in compliance with federal, state, and local policies. Contribute to strategic planning and discussions about department direction, particularly in street outreach. Required Qualifications Two‑year associate’s degree or equivalent . 1+ year of relevant experience in street outreach, crisis response, or programs serving the unhoused population. Valid, unrestricted North Carolina Class C driver’s license or willingness to obtain one within 60 days of start. Completion of (or willingness to complete within six months) a mental health certificate, peer support specialist certificate, or equivalent. Lived experience with mental illness, developmental disabilities, substance use, justice involvement, and/or homelessness. Track record of initiative and sound judgment in ambiguous situations. Ability to maintain confidentiality, including HIPAA, at all times. Ability to travel within Durham and walk/stand up to 75% of a shift. Preferred Qualifications Significant experience with outreach and engagement of unhoused individuals. Strong knowledge of service delivery, including counseling, documentation, clinical coverage policies (NC Service Definitions, ACT, CST, IOP, SACOT, Innovation Waiver), utilization review, and data management. Knowledge of mental‑illness signs and symptoms and crisis intervention techniques (e.g., Crisis Intervention Training, Seeking Safety, Motivational Interviewing). Ability to speak two or more languages, especially Spanish. Familiarity with Durham health systems and community resources for physical health, behavioral and mental health, substance use, developmental disabilities, family dynamics, abuse, veterans’ services, vocational rehabilitation, housing, justice involvement, and referral processes. About DCSD DCSD’s approach is flexible, collaborative, and evidence‑driven. The department values equity, care, and the health and safety of staff. Those who resonate with the above qualities will find a supportive work environment. #J-18808-Ljbffr