Housing Placement & Outreach Specialist

Location:

Portland, OR Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov

Type: Urban Salary Range: $26 to $30 / Per Hour Open Period: 10/28/2026 until filled Summary: The Housing Placement & Outreach Specialist provides culturally responsive outreach to Native American individuals and other vulnerable community members experiencing homelessness in shelters, encampments, and unsheltered locations throughout Multnomah County. Working independently and with community partners, the specialist conducts outreach, completes Coordinated Access assessments, facilitates referrals, and helps participants obtain the documentation needed to access housing. The position connects participants to housing, shelter, healthcare, behavioral health, food, clothing, and other supportive services. The position helps participants with "document readiness" (i.e Obtain DMV ID, birth certificate, Social Security card, etc.). Also, this position helps provide housing navigation, including housing search assistance, application support, lease-up coordination, move-in assistance, and short-term housing stabilization services (i.e Rapid Rehousing model). Duties: - Engage with individuals by eliminating social, cultural, linguistic and educational barriers to develop a culturally competent and creative action plan for housing stability. - Provide supportive services in a culturally responsive, trauma-informed and nonjudgmental manner. Demonstrate a person-centered approach in working with clients by respecting their self-determination and autonomy and exploring their ambivalence by utilizing Motivational Interviewing principles. - Perform brief screening and assessment as appropriate. Complete supportive housing assessments (MSST) and help match individuals into community-based, subsidized, treatment focused, shared or other types of housing. - Coordinate with community housing providers, health and behavioral healthcare providers. - Coordinate with WorkSource Oregon, Supported Employment programs, and other workforce partners to connect participants with employment, education, vocational training, and career development opportunities that promote increased income, self-sufficiency, and long-term housing stability. - Utilize Short-Term Rental Assistance and Rapid Re-Housing models to help participants secure and maintain housing while promoting long term self-sufficiency and life stability. - Participate in a coordinated outreach program with other agencies providing street and shelter outreach. Regular attendance as a NARA NW representative at collaboration meetings may be required. - Provide culturally appropriate clinical consultation and advocacy to enhance care of Native American and Alaska Native individuals and families in the community and in hospitals, jails, schools and public agencies. - Actively participate as a member of a care team by providing input and developing creative strategies to address housing, health and psychosocial issues. Consult with clinical supervisor and/or housing leadership team in complex cases exceeding area of expertise. - Facilitate communication and positive relationships between households and other service providers and housing providers - Respond to requests for outreach to individuals in the community, which may include homeless service sites, homeless encampments, hospitals, jail, detox centers, shelters, and the streets Qualifications: - QMHA (Qualified Mental Health Associate), PSS (Peer Support Specialist), CRM (Certified Recovery Mentor) and/or CADC-1 (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor I) credentialing required within six months of hire. - Requires a high school diploma, GED or equivalent. - Professional experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or experiencing severe and persistent mental illness. - Demonstrated effectiveness in presenting ideas, transmitting information, or conveying concepts to individuals or groups of people of varying educational, cultural and experiential levels. - Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients, the community, and other staff members. - Knowledge of housing resources and understanding of recovery-based, holistic approaches to addressing needs. - Experience working within the Native American/Alaska Native community is considered a plus. - Ability to work collaboratively with clients and other program staff, and to treat everyone with respect and dignity at all times. - Access to reliable transportation, current driver''s license with a clean driving record, and proof of auto insurance. - Ability to pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests. - Ability to pass criminal background and DMV checks. Work Type: Permanent, Full Get Details & Apply: https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/EA72704778F72D2D4728EEA7608BC7B0/jobs/493043?jpt= Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov