| Location | Santa Cruz, CA |
| Salary | $6,836–$8,811 Per Hour |
Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist I/II
Salary
$82,032.00 - $113,700.00 Annually
Location
City of Santa Cruz, CA
Job Type
Regular Full-Time
Job Number
27-012
Department
City Manager
Opening Date
09/10/2026
Closing Date
10/1/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
The Position
The current vacancy is for a full-time Limited-Term Homelessness Response Outreach Specialist I/II in the Homeless Response Division of the City Managers Office. This full-time Limited-Term position will be for up to a two-year duration, working 40 hours per week, and receive full benefits. The duration of the term may be extended, subject to approval. Under general supervision or direction, the Homelessness Response Outreach Specialist I/II implements programming around the City's sanctioned encampments, transitional community camps, safe parking programs, and similar operations; performs outreach and para-professional case management to unsheltered individuals within the city, encouraging participation in existing programs and services; participates in the design and implementation of the City's homelessness response programming and obtains, monitors, and generates reports on data.
The City of Santa Cruz Homelessness Response Team (HRT) is part of the City Manager's Office and works to prevent and end homelessness through collaboration, compassion, and care. To learn more about who we are and what we do, please visit https://www.santacruzca.gov/Government/City-Departments/City-Manager/Homelessness-Response or https://www.santacruzca.gov/Government/City-Departments/City-Manager/Homelessness-Response/Homeless-Outreach-Team
The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Regular, Full Time, Part Time, Limited Term, and Temporary Homelessness Response Outreach Specialist I/II vacancies that may occur during the life of the list. The eligible list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.
Homelessness Response Shelter & Outreach Specialist I salary range is $6,836 - $8,811 monthly ($39.44 - $50.83 hourly)
Homelessness Response Shelter & Outreach Specialist II salary range is $7,350 -$9,475 monthly ($42.40 - $54.66 hourly)
Recruitment #27-012
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
On Thursday, 10/01/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:
Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.
Weeks of 10/05 and 10/12/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 10/23/26
Weeks of 11/02 and 11/09/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.
Basic Function
Under general supervision or direction, implements programming around the City's sanctioned encampments, transitional community camps, safe parking programs, and similar operations; performs outreach and para-professional case management to unsheltered individuals within the city, encouraging participation in existing programs and services; participates in the design and implementation of the City's homelessness response programming and obtains, monitors, and generates reports on data.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist I is the entry-level classification in the Homelessness classification series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents perform the more routine duties while learning the full scope of the classification's duties. As experience is gained, there is more diversity of assignments and greater independence. The Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist I is distinguished from the next higher level of the Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist II in that the latter is expected to also perform the more complex and full scope of duties and with greater independence. Incumbents at the I level are expected to advance to the higher II level after gaining experience, performing the full scope of duties and demonstrating a level of proficiency that meets the qualification of the higher level classification.
Typical Duties
(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below)
Collaborates with other members of the City's Homelessness Response Team. Assists with developing effective programs and projects and provides input regarding strategic planning and implementation; works with team to enhance programs as needed.
Administers programs for the City's sanctioned encampments, transitional community camps, safe parking programs, and similar operations. Ensures participant adherence to rules and regulations; establishes and maintains relationships with participants to conduct individual service plans and connect participants to available intervention, referral and services; engages in the harm reduction model of care; coordinates on-site service provision from County and non-profit partners; facilitates camp community building; engages in and models conflict resolution skills; communicates site needs (supplies, repairs, etc.) to supervisor.
Conducts outreach to unhoused individuals within the City of Santa Cruz; utilizes outreach strategies to develop a trusted relationship; builds rapport that will assist homeless individuals with addressing barriers to obtain housing, services and appropriate health care needs; provides appropriate resources and referrals and connects individuals to existing services (County and non-profit); assists police and fire safety personnel in non-enforcement situations involving homeless clients; assists clients in obtaining appropriate care; and serves as liaison and advocate for unsheltered clients as appropriate and needed.
Develops and maintains relationships with various public and private service agencies, community groups, and faith-based community; identifies and provides recommendations to clients, personnel and partnering agencies regarding ongoing support services to meet client needs, obtains services for clients; ensures that clients are receiving the most appropriate form of support; and coordinates and facilitates with other agencies and City and County departments regarding the needs and conditions of unsheltered homeless individuals and families.
Obtains and maintains participant data and service utilization records; assists in developing and maintaining computer database or manual reports of ongoing services to clients; regularly completes field notes and logs to track case management efforts; completes client interview forms to gather relevant data and statistics of clients served; electronically documents contact and progress of current and former clients; and adheres to applicable confidentiality regulations with regard to client information.
Stays abreast of new trends and practices in community outreach and current, emerging, and urgent issues related to the unsheltered homeless community.
Works with community groups to promote environmental stewardship of natural areas.
Provides trauma informed and culturally competent client services.
Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Position requires prolonged standing and walking, reaching, kneeling, stooping, bending, working on uneven surfaces, and sitting in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard and picking up supplies. Additionally, the position requires far and near vision during the course of job duties. Normal hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper, documents, and miscellaneous items at camps (or similar) weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. The position works outdoors with the use of protective gloves during site visits with exposure to dust and allergens, trash, biohazards and/or hazardous chemicals, human waste, sharps and needles, unpleasant odors and insects.
Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:
Education and Experience:
Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist I
OR
Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist II
OR
Knowledge:
Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist I
Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist II
In addition to the Knowledge listed above for Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist I:
Abilities:
Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist I and II
Licenses and Certificates
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Career Ladder
SALARY - The current salary range for this position is posted on the City website City of Santa Cruz MOUs, Salaries, & Benefits
See the MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING - THE MID-MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE CITY OF SANTA CRUZ for further details on pay rates and practices.
APPOINTMENT - Any candidate selected by the appointing department may be required to pass a pre-employment medical exam administered by a City-selected physician before hire to non-sedentary positions. Prior to starting work, all newly hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment. Candidates must present documentation verifying authorization to work in the United States and take a loyalty oath as required by the State of California at the time of hire. Appointments to regular positions are subject to a six-month probationary period which is considered a part of the selection process. Probationary employees may be terminated without recourse during this period. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.
LEAVE
Vacation - 80 hours/year up to 5 years, 120 hours/year 6-10 years, plus 8 hours for each year after 10 years up to a maximum of 160 hours/year.
Sick - 12 days/year
Holidays - up to 12 days/year
Floating Holidays - 24 hours per year - prorated for part-time
INSURANCE - (available to employee and eligible dependents)
Medical - Depends on plan selected; City generally pays at least 90% of the cost of coverage. Participating members make an additional $35 contribution per pay period towards health care benefits.
Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program - City currently pays full cost of employee and family coverage. Pro-rated for part-time.
Life - City provides a $25,000 life insurance policy.
Long Term Disability - City provides a long term disability plan.
MANAGEMENT LEAVE/OPTIONAL BENEFIT PLAN
80 hours of additional vacation per year. A $1,300 (less than 10 yrs) or $1,500 (greater than 10 yrs) annual contribution may be used to purchase additional vacation, be place in deferred compensation account or be paid in cash (cash-out limited to 20 hours).
RETIREMENT
All regular employees become members of PERS. Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) 2% @ 62 (3 year average). Prior PERS membership may affect retirement formula. Employees contribute 11.25% of their salary to PERS on a pre-tax basis. An employee is vested after 5 years of membership. No Social Security is withheld.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS (not all inclusive)
457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Accident Protection Insurance
Cancer and Critical Illness Insurance
Direct Deposit
Discount Bus Pass Program
Flexible Spending Plans for Health & Dependent Care
Longevity Pay (after 10 years and 15 years)
In lieu Medical Reimbursement of $200 /month
Supplemental Life Insurance
Tuition Reimbursement
01
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: The following supplemental questions are designed to obtain specific information regarding your work experience. Please answer each question as thoroughly as possible, as your responses will be utilized to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. For applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, these responses may also be used as an evaluation tool in later stages of the competitive process to determine which applicants will be invited to continue in the examination process. All experience described here must correspond to employers listed in the Work Experience section of your application to receive credit. Please refrain from using AI or computer-generated responses. Applicants are responsible to clearly, completely, and accurately describe their qualifications. You may attach a resume, but this cannot be used in lieu of completing an application. Failure to complete all required questions and/or providing incomplete responses may result in an incomplete application. Do not answer any question with "see resume" and if you do not have any experience and/or education in a given area, please write "N/A."
02
Do you possess a high school diploma or tested equivalent?
03
If you possess a Bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university in psychology, counseling, human services, social science, or a related field, please indicate your degree, field of study, and name of the accredited college or university from which you graduated. If you do not possess one of these degrees, please write "qualifying with additional experience" if you meet the requirements through your work experience.
04
Please indicate the amount of para-professional experience you have in case management, counseling, social services, outreach, program oversight, or a related field.
05
Describe your experience working with people who have experienced homelessness, mental health and/or substance use issues. Be specific, indicating 1) duration of each experience, 2) the agencies or programs where you gained this experience, 3) your title(s) and specific duties, and 4) populations served.
06
The Homeless Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist I/II conducts outreach to people experiencing homelessness within the City of Santa Cruz and utilizes outreach and engagement strategies to develop a trusted relationship in order to assist with addressing barriers to obtain housing, connections to services and appropriate healthcare needs. Describe any experience you have with this type of outreach, motivational interviewing techniques, and explaining community resources and services to clients.
07
This position requires possession and continued maintenance of a valid California drivers license. Please select your current license status:
08
Desirable Qualification: Bilingual English and Spanish. I possess this bilingual ability.
09
Desirable Qualification: Describe any familiarity you have with a homelessness management information system. Please write "N/A" in the space below if you do not have this familiarity,.
10
Desirable Qualification: Lived experience with homelessness, substance use, mental health, or similar challenges. If applicable, please describe any personal experience, insight, or perspective you have that supports your ability to work effectively with the populations served in this role, or write "N/A."
Required Question
Employer City of Santa Cruz
Address 809 Center St.
Room 6
Santa Cruz, California, 95060
Phone 831-420-5040
Website http://www.cityofsantacruz.com