LONG ISLAND COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS
600 Albany Avenue, Suite 2
Amityville, NY 11701
(631) 464-4314
Fax (631) 464-4319
www.addressthehomeless.org
JOB TITLE: STREET OUTREACH SPECIALIST
About Us: The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless (LICH) is dedicated to addressing homelessness on Long Island by collaborating with non-profits, government agencies, and community partners. As a leading advocate and service provider, we work to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness through a range of programs and initiatives. Our efforts include direct assistance, outreach, resource distribution, and emergency support. Additionally, we focus on advocacy and systemic change to expand access to vital services and housing solutions, striving to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring. For more information about us please visit our website at www.addressthehomeless.org.
Program Overview: The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless leads the Coordinated Entry (CE) system for Nassau and Suffolk Counties, which streamlines access to housing and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. CE ensures that people are quickly assessed, prioritized, and connected to the most appropriate resources based on their needs. The Street Outreach Team is a key part of this system. Street Outreach Specialists engage directly with unsheltered individuals, build trust, complete CE assessments, and connect clients to housing, benefits, and supportive services.
Summary of Role: Responsible for providing housing-focused street outreach and case management targeted for single adults experiencing long-term homelessness either living on the street or living in shelter. Street Outreach Workers will engage in community canvassing, partnered outreach, and coordination with partners to identify and engage all persons experiencing homelessness that are residing unsheltered in Nassau and/or Suffolk Counties. Street Outreach Workers must be highly mobile and will have access to a Street Outreach van for transport of clients.
Engagements focus around direct and person-centered support in obtaining necessary documentation/applying for various housing programs, as well as connecting households to other services that relate to housing placement and housing retention and health and safety, such as employment, entitlements/benefits, medical/clinical services, linkages to care coordination, budgeting and credit, legal, and other services for which they are eligible and interested in.
Street Outreach Workers will work as a supervised/guided team of direct care workers, comprised of staff focused on street outreach and shelter inreach. This team collectively provides referrals for permanent housing programs (permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing), including programs funded through HUD, NYS Office of Mental Health, nursing home programs, housing choice voucher programs, and other housing that meets each household’s needs and preferences.
Key Roles and Responsibilities: The duties listed in this job description outline the primary responsibilities of the position. However, additional tasks may be assigned as needed to support agency goals and contribute to the success of various programs:
- Provide direct outreach and follow up to clients
- Document all client information and engagements in HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) database
- Ensure completion and submission of various housing applications as applicable
- Connect clients to all available services that directly assists with obtaining and remaining in permanent housing
- Provide transportation to clients as necessary to access housing and services
- Assist in the coordination of housing intakes, move-ins and transition support
- Completion of phone screenings and assessments
- Homeless diversion (problem solving)/service triage supports
- Weekly case conferencing/team meetings
- Weekly case review/supervision
Strengths and Skills: Lived Experience; Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and two years’ experience (internships or volunteer work acceptable); or a related human services field or a minimum of three years’ related experience in human services arena preferred; strong organizational skills; possesses effective verbal and written communication skills; working knowledge of computer database applications (Foothold AWARDS - preferred, Access, Client or Customer databases of accounting database software) or ability to learn quickly. Must have a clean driver’s license and personal vehicle are required for this position. Must have a commitment to organization’s mission and goals. Must be self-motivated; must be able to work effectively with diverse people and personalities and as a member of a team. Bilingual (Spanish and English) preferred. Experience/knowledge in trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing a plus.
Work Location & Travel: This position is field-based and requires travel throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Staff are expected to be mobile and may spend the majority of the workday in the community conducting outreach, transporting participants, or attending appointments. Agency vehicles are available for program use. A valid driver’s license and ability to drive are required.
Work Location & Schedule: This role is primarily on-site and requires regular attendance at our office. Limited flexibility for a hybrid work arrangement may be considered after successful completion of the 90-day probationary period. Hybrid or remote work is not guaranteed and must be approved in advance by your supervisor/manager based on program needs, job responsibilities, and individual performance. All remote work is subject to ongoing review, and any concerns related to responsiveness, availability, productivity, or misuse of remote flexibility may result in the adjustment or revocation of remote privileges at any time.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $42,000.00 - $46,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
License/Certification:
- Drivers License (Required)
Work Location: In person
