Unhoused Specialist (Limited-Term)

The City of Campbell is hiring for a limited-term Unhoused Specialist. The position is approved for two years, with a sunset date of June 2028 . Under general supervision, plans and organizes homeless services and activities on behalf of the City's Housing Division including providing intensive, one-on-one case management for the City's residents experiencing homelessness and assisting unhoused residents gain access to needed services to locate and secure affordable housing opportunities, including temporary, transitional, and permanent solutions. The Ideal Candidate Will… Demonstrate trauma-informed, client-centered engagement and build trust with people experiencing homelessness, including those hesitant to accept services. Practice cultural humility and effectively support individuals across diverse racial, cultural, socioeconomic, disability, and LGBTQ+ backgrounds. Communicate clearly and effectively with unhoused community members. Collaborate with cross-sector partners (e.g., healthcare providers, community-based organizations, faith-based groups) to coordinate care and connect clients to services. Work effectively with other City departments (e.g., Police, Public Works) while maintaining a client-centered approach. Manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, field-based environment with strong time management and follow-through. Represent the City professionally in interactions with internal and external stakeholders. Provide practical, hands-on coaching in life skills (e.g., budgeting, tenancy readiness, daily living skills) tailored to individual needs. Work outdoors and travel between sites as needed, maintaining reliability in varied environmental conditions. Lived experience is highly desirable but not required. Typical duties will include, but are not limited to: Conducts street outreach, intake interviews, assessments, and develops case plans inclusive of all needs, including but not limited to, housing, employment, benefits, substance abuse and/or mental health treatment, and meets with clients as needed; Engages in system-wide case conferencing and coordination efforts with team members; Meets participants, both in the office and in the field, for community-based service delivery; Maintains consistent contact with clients to remain informed on clients' progress and needs, and provides direct and indirect assistance with financial management, crisis resolution, employment and benefits, advocacy, and other services as needed; Provides community engagement, and on-call and after-hours services as needed; Assists participants with securing appropriate permanent housing through housing search, application assistance, and other supportive services; Complies with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards and confidentiality; Gathers information regarding available services within the community; Collaborates with the County departments, Community Based Organizations, Faith Based Community, and others to connect participants to community resources; Coordinates encampment and safe parking engagement and service response on private and public property and conducts related follow up and evaluation of program outcomes; maintains a safe and secure environment for all participants; Collects and maintains thorough and accurate records; Maintains a caseload of program participants, including both short- and longer-term enrollments; Reports any suspected cases of abuse and neglect in accordance with state-mandated reporting laws; Communicates messages, strategies, and resources for hygienic practices to unsheltered individuals for improved quality of life and cleaner creek corridors; Collects information on barriers to healthy living in the unsheltered community and identifies and executes projects to eliminate identified barriers; Participates in ongoing analysis of program alignment with industry best practices, and proactively improves the quality of program services; Coordinates with Police Department and other City department staff; and Performs other related duties as required.

Experience and Experience:

Equivalent to an Associate's degree from an accredited college or university, with major course work in social work, psychology, or a closely related field. Three (3) years of experience providing services to individuals experiencing homelessness, including direct contact and engagement with unhoused community members. A Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or a closely related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

Knowledge of:

Housing and social services available to unhoused individuals; Applicable Federal, State and local laws concerning homelessness; Regulatory codes, ordinances, procedures relevant to social services programs, such as those designed to improve/provide housing, education, employment, or socio-economic status; Techniques for engaging with people with diverse socio-economic backgrounds and implementing conflict resolution; Social, economic, and political issues relevant to unhoused individuals; trends in the field of homelessness and social services; Principles and practices of performing needs assessments; Principles and practices of program development, implementation, management and evaluation; Principles and practices of conflict resolution and problem-solving techniques; Principles and practices of community outreach, advocacy and public education; Resources and requirements to acquire private and governmental funding.

Ability to:

Work with people of diverse socio-economic backgrounds; Provide hands-on instruction in basic living and financial skills; Travel to various sites in the City to complete work activities and work outdoors in a variety of weather and atmospheric conditions, including visiting encampments, creeks, homeless safe park, and other locations frequented by unhoused residents; Visit remote areas that may be hidden by brush and trees. On occasion work irregular hours, shifts or weekends as required; Assess community needs, evaluate program effectiveness, and recommend program modifications as necessary; Establish and coordinate program services, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and best practices; Exercise sound judgement and political astuteness in complex situations; Develop creative and effective solutions to challenging problems and issues; Coordinate activities across multiple City departments and other agencies; Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the unhoused community, community partners, external agencies, and those contacted in the course of work; and Occasionally lift and move up to 30 pounds.

Possession of:

Valid California Driver's License or the ability to obtain alternate transportation as approved by the appointing authority. In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, the City of Campbell will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the Human Resources Division The City of Campbell is an Equal Opportunity Employer