Job Description

Posting number: 2026-01216

Department: Human Services Department

Division: Homelessness

Job classification: Counselor

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Human Services

Summary

The Unified Care Team (UCT) provides a coordinated, neighborhood-based approach to addressing homeless encampments across Seattle. The team focuses on connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with services that support their transition indoors, while also ensuring public spaces remain clean, open, and accessible to all.

The Human Services Department (HSD) is hiring an Outreach Counselor to support the UCT’s daily operations. This position will deliver direct services to individuals experiencing homelessness and maintain a consistent presence within an assigned Seattle council district. Responsibilities include building trusting relationships with people living unsheltered, assessing individual needs (such as housing, behavioral health, medical care, employment, and more), and facilitating connections to appropriate services.

Outreach Counselors will conduct needs assessments, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, de-escalation, and navigation of regional homelessness services. In addition to providing regular outreach within encampments, they will support efforts to move individuals into shelter and access ongoing services. At all advanced-notice encampment removals, the position is required to offer shelter in accordance with MDAR 17-01.

This role is employed by HSD and fully embedded within the UCT’s daily operations. Outreach Counselors will collaborate closely with their assigned Neighborhood Outreach Team and provide regular progress updates to the Regional Coordinator for their district.

Examples of duties

• Conduct individualized needs assessments for folks residing in encampments within your assigned district.
• Develop service plans with individuals, match them with the right resources, and assist in making appropriate referrals.
• Work with individuals who are experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, behavioral health issues, co-occurring disorders, and other physical medical conditions.
• Assist people in navigating the homelessness system, with a thorough understanding of what resources are available.
• Provide motivational interviewing, de-escalation, and crisis intervention.
• Collaborate with community-based contracted partners to ensure that the appropriate level of care is being provided to meet each individual’s needs.
• Work with interpretation services, as needed.
• Maintain clear and concise case notes on individuals you engage with.
• Evaluate individuals and make referrals to services (to include, emergency shelter services, long-term case management services, culturally specific services, population-specific services, health services, legal services).
• Assist with and arrange transportation for individuals to arrive at services.
• Work with the Unified Care Team to ensure individuals on City property are provided outreach and engagement services before, and during, closure of their encampment sites.
• Make offers of alternative shelter resources to folks residing in encampments that are scheduled for closure.
• Enter person-level (and site specific) data after all engagements in multiple data platforms.
• Ensure that data is entered accurately and in a timely manner.
• Serve as a member of an inter-departmental. multi-disciplinary neighborhood team.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience: 3 years social services experience involving interviewing, counseling, or crisis intervention. Preferably in an unsheltered homelessness service delivery capacity.

Education: A bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Psychology or a related field

OR: A combination of education and/or training and/or work experience which provides the ability to perform the work of the class.

Certification/License: Current Washington State Driver's License.

Desired Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of race & social justice principles and impacts of systemic racism and oppression on communities served by HSD.
• Experience providing outreach to individuals in encampments.
• Experience navigating the homeless services system in Seattle.
• 2+ years' experience providing direct services to individuals experiencing homelessness
• Bilingual or multilingual is a plus
• Understanding of the Unified Care Team and the MDAR-1701
• Experience tracking and recording health and human services data

Supplemental information

Additional Requirements:

Position Classification: Counselor - BU (98856)

The full salary range for this position is $43.37 - $50.42 an hour.

This position is scheduled to work 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., either Tuesday–Saturday or Sunday–Thursday.

This is a fully in-person position with no flexibility to work remote or hybrid.

Hiring Process

Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.
3. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
4. Supplemental questionnaire responses

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, which may include a detailed background check, pre-placement physical exam, and/or full driver's abstract, dependent upon position.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.