Community Health Specialist 2 - Housing

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.
Pay Range:
$28.45 - $34.99 Hourly
Department:
Health Department
Job Type:
Regular Represented
Exemption Status:
United States of America (Non-Exempt)
Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):
October 29, 2026
The Opportunity:
Overview:
THIS WORK MATTERS!
We are expanding our Outreach Specialist team and have a couple of positions available at the Multnomah County Health Department to help bridge the gap between addiction recovery and permanent housing. Join us in building a culture of trust, respect, and equal opportunity for every community member we serve.
The primary purpose of this position is to conduct outreach within Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment and other SUD services and shelters within Multnomah County. The goal is to increase the number of unhoused individuals leaving SUD services to access housing. Identified individuals will be offered PATH (Promoting Access to Hope) services and additional community services providers that can address their immediate needs. This role will collaborate with internal and external partners, and develop and implement strategies to meet those needs.
Outreach and Partnership Building
Provide direct outreach within SUD treatment and other SUD services within Multnomah County and refer those individuals to housing services
Conduct outreach including street and shelter outreach
Essential to this position will be to build and maintain relationships with the various provider organizations and shelters from which referrals will be received
Work with groups of clients to help them move from addiction towards recovery by helping them receive the housing necessary for them to stay in recovery
Team Collaboration
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with team members and assigned communities
Participate in regular team, group and individual case conferences
Maintain effective relations and regularly collaborate and communicate with patients, community partners and co-workers
Understand the challenges of individuals and families of varied ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic background, and ages
Knowledge and experience working with individuals using compassionate communication and empathy
Provide direct outreach activities to individuals experiencing street homelessness while connecting to behavioral and health services
Participate on committees and workgroups with internal and external partners to communicate and improve program services and outreach
Documentation
Complete and maintain all required documentation in the assigned tracking sheet and/or assigned electronic health record, and any other required data systems
Follow reporting requirements for documentation of any services provided and coordination of care with internal and external organizations
Ensure that data and electronic records maintain client confidentiality and adhere to Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements
Quality Improvement
Attend and participate in collaborative outreach meetings with internal and external stakeholders to build-out and improve new or existing programs, services and events to support the PATH Program and the community
Provide feedback and suggestions to leadership, community-based agencies, etc. for ways to evaluate and improve services and service delivery to meet client, community and program needs and requirements
*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experiences that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.
TO QUALIFY:
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page.
Required Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:
Education/Training:
Equivalent to an associate's degree and one (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. (Equivalency 3-6 years of qualifying training and/or experience).
Attach a copy of the required license/ certifications
Valid Driver’s License - Access to a vehicle must be able to travel around
BLS CPR Certification with the American Heart Association (AHA) or similar agency - more information can be found at the AHA website. Current BLS - CPR (Required - must have by date of hire)
KSA: Certification in Oregon as a Community Health Worker (CHW), Peer Support Specialist (PSS) or Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS)
Other:
This position requires a background investigation, which may include being fingerprinted.
Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills:
Demonstrated proficiency in Motivational Interviewing, Nonviolent Communication (NVC), de-escalation tactics, and crisis intervention techniques
Working knowledge of client confidentiality laws, including HIPAA compliance
Housing navigation experience specifically serving individuals experiencing substance use disorders (SUD), severe mental illness, or unsheltered homelessness
Experience with reporting and documentation in electronic health records system
Understands cultural, racial and ethnic factors, including systemic advantage or disadvantage; acculturation, intergenerational immigrant family challenges, effe