Job Description

Level: Entry
Job Location: Sonoma County - Sonoma, CA 95476
Position Type: Full TimeEducation
Level: High School
Salary Range: $24.98 - $24.98 Hourly

Travel Percentage: Up to 25%
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services
POSITION: Outreach Specialist-Sonoma County
PROGRAM/LOCATION: Outreach, Sonoma County
SUPERVISOR: CES, Program Manager
STATUS: Temporary, Full-time, Non-Exempt
COMPENSATION: $24.98 Hourly

Temporary Terms: July 2026 thru January 2027
ABOUT HOMEFIRST
Established in 1980, HomeFirst™ is a nonprofit organization passionately working to end homelessness. We serve the Bay Area community through low-barrier programming and systems leadership – meeting each person where they are by offering support and resources that address immediate and long-term housing needs. With nearly 45 years of experience, we view housing as a fundamental human right and understand that solving homelessness requires a collaborative effort.
OUR VALUES
- Kindness: We act with empathy toward others.
- Passion: We ignite change to fulfill our mission.
- Excellence: We deliver exceptional service to our communities.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
HomeFirst Coordinated Entry System Outreach team’s purpose is to locate participants who have been identified as eligible for a housing intervention through the Coordinated Entry System who are not already connected to a provider for case management. This team will reach vulnerable participants who have so far not been successfully referred to a housing opportunity because they are difficult to find within Sonoma County. The CES Outreach team consists of two Outreach Specialists and a program manager. The team will be headquartered in the HomeFirst Santa Rosa office and will respond to CES outreach needs throughout Sonoma County. The Outreach Specialist is accountable to a high participant contact success, documentation and policy compliance, and maintaining effective partnerships in the community.
QUALITIES:
- The Outreach Specialist prefers fieldwork over office-based work, and is self-driven and flexible in a day-to-day that rarely follows expectations.
- The Outreach Specialist has a “whatever it takes” approach to moving people into housing, meeting barriers with creativity and meeting clients where they are.
- The Outreach Specialist is persistent and takes an inventive approach to locating participants and problem-solving barriers.
- The Outreach Specialist is highly collaborative and enjoys a team-oriented and collaborative They actively drive progress towards shared goals for their participants among varying service providers.
- This position will connect highly vulnerable individuals with referred housing opportunities and various providers; the Outreach Specialist must be organized and accountable to multiple priorities.
- - HomeFirst is a diverse company in a diverse field, and the Outreach Case Manager desires to work with people from a variety of social and economic backgrounds.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITES
Direct Services (60%)
- Provides linkage and coordinate services to community resources, including health care and shelter, vital documents and benefits applications, family reunification, Housing Problem Solving, etcetera.
- Utilizes best practices in homeless services including: Housing First models with a strength-based approach, Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Crisis Prevention and Intervention, and Safety Planning.
- Proactively advocates for participants and collaborates with community partners to successfully connect the participant with the referred housing opportunity and gather necessary documentation.
- Ensures homeless verification for participants follows HUD and contract standards.
- Conducts a warm handoff of the program participant to the identified supportive services provider.
- Refers located participants to service providers immediately and no later than one business day.
- Understands and engages in executing various outreach strategies to locate and re-engage participants in services.
- Provide access and coordination to emergency shelter, meals, showers, and laundry services to unsheltered program participants.
- Makes timely and accurate decisions in emergency or crisis situations with awareness of the need for the safety of all clients, staff, or volunteers involved.
- Ability to listen, comprehend, and effectively communicate information both in writing and orally with all individuals.
- Communicates effectively with service providers to complete warm hand off with clients.
- Other duties as assigned.
Documentation (25%)
- Documents, via progress notes in HMIS, all outreach activity within five usiness days.
- Maintains detailed, consistent case notes in HMIS and regularly updates necessary touchpoints.
- Gathers and uploads scanned documents and verifications.
- Tracks collections of documentation.
- Tracks located and unable to locate referrals through internal trackers etc.
- Monitors and updates outreach list/referrals trackers.
- Maintains physical case file paperwork and documentation as needed.
- Assists with data quality management of participant information and CES touchpoints in HMIS.
- Participates in ongoing analysis of and program alignment with industry best practices.
- Proactively and consistently improves the quality and effectiveness of program services.
- Additional data quality auditing duties assigned as needed.
General (15%)
- Attends all meetings and training relevant to this position.
- Assists with office-related tasks as needed.
- Works collaboratively with Program Manager and utilizes supervision appropriately, maintaining open lines of communication and providing updates on participants’ progress towards goals.
- Attends the regional By-Name-List meetings and reports out on progress with participants as needed.
- Properly reports any suspected cases of abuse.
- Maintains professional relations and conduct.
- Participates in training and education opportunities to maintain and improve proficiency.
- Knows and implements agency, program, and applicable county standards and policies and procedures.
- Other duties as assigned.
Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge• Knowledge of highly-utilized locations in San Jose where the homeless congregate and camp
• Ability to walk long distances and on rough terrain (such as trails to creek-side encampments and high-traffic areas)
• Ability to lift and carry outreach supplies (usually in a backpack, up to 30 lbs.)
• Understanding of and sensitivity to the needs of the homeless
• Commitment to increasing the housing stability and self-sufficiency of the homeless
• Strong verbal and written skills; knowledge of multiple languages is desirable
• Good problem-solving skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks
• Ability to work with people of diverse social backgrounds and professional rank
• Demonstrated effective communication skills
• Knowledge and understanding of community resources and human services
• Initiative, flexibility, and the capacity to respond effectively in all situations
• Good collaboration skills and the ability to work independently with limited supervision
• Ability to work as part of a diverse team
• Basic computer skills, including knowledge of MS Office applications and the internet
BENEFITS
HomeFirst provides comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage and additional wellness options like chiropractic care, mental health support, pet insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. We offer a 401(k)-retirement plan with generous matching, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, and workers’ compensation. Employees enjoy 12 holidays, sick leave, and PTO starting at 15 days annually, increasing with tenure, plus 8 hours of civic engagement leave annually to volunteer.
ORGANIZATIONAL EQUITY STATEMENT
At HomeFirst, diversity, equity, and inclusion guide our services, workplace, and decisions. Recognizing housing as a social justice issue, we prioritize equitable practices, honor lived experiences and uphold dignity for all. By fostering belonging, accountability, and continuous improvement, we embed DEI values in our processes, recruitment, and leadership, striving for excellence at every level.
HomeFirst Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. Additionally, HomeFirst Services participates in the E-Verify program, as required by law.
HomeFirst Services is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.

QualificationsQUALIFICATIONS (YOU HAVE)
Knowledge and Experience
- People with lived experience encouraged to apply.
- 1 years experience in human services preferred, not required.
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) degree or related human services field preferred, not required.
- Bilingual in Spanish and bicultural preferred, not required.
- Valid California Driver's License, ability to be added onto agency fleet insurance (required)