The City of Gresham's Homeless Services Team is expanding and has one full-time opening for a Homeless Services Specialist.
The Homeless Services Team has two goals:
- Help people experiencing chronic homelessness by connecting them to the resources they need to be successful.
- Ensure environmental health and overall livability by protecting Gresham's parks, trails, and open spaces.
Homeless services staff achieve these goals through proactive and request-based field outreach to and case management for people experiencing homelessness in Gresham.
To ensure 7 days per week services to the community, Homeless Services Specialists are required to provide coverage either Saturday or Sunday hours, twice a month or as needed.
This grant funded position will serve in a limited term capacity through June 30, 2025. Continuation of this position is contingent on grant funding, which City expects to be renewed annually.
WHAT YOU WILL GET TO DO:
Outreach to People Experiencing Homelessness
- Proactive outreach to people experiencing homelessness in a variety of locations to assess needs, offer appropriate services, and provide basic support (food, shelter, clothing)
- Responding to reports from the public regarding people experiencing homelessness/in need of assistance, unauthorized campsites, lived-in vehicles.
- Consistently explaining and enforcing Gresham's Unauthorized Camping code including posting unauthorized campsites for removal, confirming the campsite is removed by the posted deadline, and coordinating cleanup/storage of any abandoned debris.
Case management & housing placement/retention
- Actively engaging with and supporting clients interested in services/housing to co-create a person-centered plan to overcome barriers and independently sustain permanent housing long term.
- Advocate for clients with other service providers, employment opportunities, community resources and property managers/owners to assist client on their journey to permanent housing.
- Documenting services provided to clients.
Collaborator & Community Customer Service
- Collaborate with code compliance staff to jointly respond to reports of lived-in vehicles or unauthorized campsites on private property to offer services to people experiencing homelessness.
- Work professionally and closely with the Gresham Police Department, other City staff, community partners, and service providers and property managers to develop, coordinate, and provide services for people experiencing homelessness.
- Provide excellent customer service in being responsive to needs of community members including businesses and property owners contacting the City to report impacts of unauthorized camping.
QUALITIES WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
- An experienced outreach worker or public servant with personal/lived experience with homelessness and/or professional experience supporting people experiencing homelessness.
- An equally compassionate and firm people-person who can simultaneously offer meaningful help and uphold City code.
- A creative problem solver who can effectively use negotiation, motivational interviewing, and trauma informed care to support clients and achieve desired outcomes.
- An open-minded collaborator who will constructively partner with law enforcement and other city staff/community partners to safely resolve complex situations.
- An emotionally intelligent professional who can deescalate challenging situations with dissatisfied or upset people by being relatable and remaining calm.
- An observant, detail-oriented case manager who can independently assess priorities and adapt to ever-changing demands and dynamic field scenarios.
- An effective, direct communicator who engages active listening skills to gain understanding and explains complex information using plain language.
- A motivated, friendly, customer-service oriented person who enjoys working with people to solve problems in a fast-paced work environment.
- A people person who is genuine, welcoming, fair, and inclusive when working with a diverse variety of residents and other stakeholders.
- A public servant who is motivated to improve the Gresham community through their quality work.
- A self-starter who is motivated to achieve daily results while working independently in the field.
- A continuous learner who is interested in learning the City's codes and policies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Homeless Services Specialist
- Associate's degree
- One (1) year of experience in social and homeless services including outreach, shelter/housing placement and/or behavioral health.
OR
- High School or GED
- 3 years of experience in social and homeless services including outreach, shelter/housing placement, and/or behavioral health.
(Equivalency 3-6 years of qualifying education, training, and/or experience)
Additional Requirement:
- Valid driver's license and good driving record (based on matrix below)
Driving Matrix:
You will be disqualified from this process if you possess any of the following driving infractions:
- A major traffic offense or accident (fault established as yours) that results in death or major injury
- Driving under the influence (DUI) offense within the last 5 years.
- Have more than 3 moving violations within a 3-year period or more than 2 within a one-year period.
- Have more than 2 accidents (fault established as yours) within a 3-year period.
For more details and to apply, visit: https://GreshamOregon.gov/jobs
If you have questions, please contact HRRecruiting@GreshamOregon.gov