H2O Outreach Specialist (Good Neighbor Alliance, Sierra Vista)

Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, Inc. (CCS) is thriving! For 90 years, CCS has focused its mission to strengthen families, support communities, provide compassionate services, and deliver excellence. Providing Help. Creating Hope. Serving All.

We credit our continued success to our valuable employees! If you want to make a difference, help people, and serve your community, we want YOU to join our team! For more information visit our website at: www.ccs-soaz.org.

OVERVIEW

The Housing and Health Opportunities (H2O) Outreach Specialist provides direct outreach, engagement, and service coordination to individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability. This role uses trauma-informed, person-centered, and culturally responsive practices to support clients from initial engagement through housing stabilization. Position may from time to time be stressful and require a high demand of performance. May perform other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conducts street, shelter, and community-based outreach, including institutional and justice-involved engagement, to identify and engage individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness
• Builds rapport using trauma-informed, culturally responsive communication, and maintains a consistent presence in encampments, public spaces, and service areas
• Assesses and prioritizes immediate safety, medical, and behavioral health needs, and connects individuals to crisis, emergency, and ongoing care services as appropriate
• Assists individuals with accessing basic needs, including food, water, clothing, hygiene supplies, and other essential resources
• Screens for Arizona Healthcare Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) eligibility; supports Medicaid enrollment; educates on benefits and services; and tracks application, referral, and enrollment status through completion
• Assists with obtaining identification, legal documentation, and required records to support eligibility, services, and housing access
• Identifies housing needs, preferences, and barriers, and conducts housing readiness and health-related social needs (HRSN) assessments to inform service planning
• Develops, implements, and updates individualized Housing Care Plans that address health-related social needs and support safe, stable housing outcomes
• Assists individuals in locating housing, completing applications, securing subsidies, and preparing for housing interviews, landlord meetings, and lease agreements
• Coordinates housing transitions and move-in logistics, including collaboration with landlords and identification of resources for deposits, utilities, furnishings, and related expenses
• Provides tenancy support, including education on tenant rights and responsibilities, lease compliance, communication with landlords, and conflict resolution
• Conducts home visits, with consent, to assess housing stability, safety, and habitability, and address concerns proactively while supporting independent living skills such as budgeting, hygiene, and household management
• Develops crisis prevention and intervention strategies to promote long-term housing stability and reduce risk of housing loss
• Coordinates care with healthcare providers, behavioral health providers, housing partners, landlords, and community-based organizations; provides warm handoffs to H2O and other services; and advocate for individuals' needs through multidisciplinary collaboration
• Maintains accurate, timely documentation in homeless management information system (HMIS), AHCCCS systems, and internal databases; tracks outreach and housing outcomes; and adheres to program policies, safety protocols, confidentiality standards, and grant requirements
• Participates in case conferencing, team meetings, and ongoing training to support program effectiveness and compliance
• Performs other duties as assigned

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Suitable work experience may be considered as transferable skills in order to meet minimum requirements of the position and will be considered by the Executive Director of Human Resources.

• High School Diploma or GED
• Proven skills utilizing Microsoft Office Suite
• Proven strong communication skills - oral and written are clear, concise, and in an organized fashion using appropriate style, grammar, and tone
• Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Position includes frequent fieldwork in outdoor environments, encampments, and community settings
• Position includes exposure to varying weather conditions
• Position requires frequent travel within service area
• Position requires extended periods of sitting and standing
• Position requires occasional lifting of supplies up to 25 pounds
• Comfortable in handling competing priorities in an occasionally high-stress environment

REGULATORY

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Valid driver license, proof of insurance, and 39-month motor vehicle report
• Ability to obtain and maintain Arizona Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card and FBI National Criminal Records History Report (employer paid)
• Pass pre-employment drug screen (incudes marijuana, regardless of recreational use laws) (employer paid)
• TB screening (employer paid)

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate's Degree in related field
• Additional years of directly-related experience
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, verbal and written

The above statement reflects the general duties considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job as identified and shall not be considered a detailed description of all work requirements that may be inherent in the job.

We are an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity Employer for all individuals. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.