Homeless Outreach Coordinator - Provisional

City of Oceanside, CA

• $85K — $114K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 4+ years in homeless services, housing navigation, or crisis response
  • 2+ years in a supervisory role in a social services context preferred
  • Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field
  • Master's degree in relevant field highly desirable
  • Knowledge of Housing-Focused Street Outreach best practices and Harm Reduction principles

Responsibilities

  • Lead daily operations of field outreach teams using Housing First principles
  • Coordinate crisis response with emergency services and healthcare providers
  • Guide multidisciplinary teams in complex field interventions
  • Deliver compassionate care to individuals with severe mental health issues
  • Manage data entry and outcomes tracking through HMIS and CES
  • Serve as liaison to local businesses and community partners
  • Prepare reports on outreach trends and program metrics for stakeholders

Benefits

  • Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) retirement benefits
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance options
  • Employee Assistance Program offering counseling and support
  • Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance provided by the City
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
Full Job Description
Salary : $85,176.00 - $114,150.40 Annually
Location : Oceanside, CA, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-111
Department: City Manager
Opening Date: 07/30/2026
Closing Date: 8/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Introduction
Under general supervision of the Homeless Services Manager, the HOMELESS OUTREACH COORDINATOR* (provisional until June 30, 2027) leads, plans, organizes, and coordinates the City's Housing-Focused Street Outreach (HFSO) efforts as part of the City's Homeless Evaluation, Assistance & Response Team (HEART). This position is responsible for field-based outreach, engagement, and housing-focused case navigation for individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness, consistent with the nationally recognized Housing-Focused Street Outreach Framework and performs other related duties as required. The intent of the Homeless Evaluation, Assistance & Response Team (HEART) is to establish a City-led, housing-focused outreach model that complements our contracted providers and ensures alignment with City programs, funding, and data requirements.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate is a proactive, community-facing leader who seamlessly bridges the gap between field crisis response and long-term housing solutions. They bring a balance of street-level tactical leadership, deep compassionate care, and structured system coordination.

Field Leadership & Crisis Response
  • Directing daily field operations of street outreach teams using Housing First and Harm Reduction.
  • Coordinating on-the-scene crisis response directly with Fire/EMS, law enforcement, and healthcare providers.
  • Guiding multidisciplinary teams through high-acuity interventions and complex field safety situations.
  • Delivering compassionate, person-centered care to individuals experiencing severe mental illness and substance use.

System Navigation & Data Ownership
  • Managing daily utilization of HMIS and the Coordinated Entry System (CES) to track client outcomes.
  • Streamlining referral pathways to transition individuals from emergency street contact to stable housing.
  • Monitoring program metrics and contract compliance for grant-funded street outreach initiatives.

Community Liaison & Communication
  • Serving as the primary point of contact for local businesses, libraries, and nonprofit partners.
  • Translating field-level data into clear reports and presentations for executive leadership and public officials.
  • Resolving community concerns regarding street homelessness through proactive communication and relationship building.

Examples of Duties

Leads coordinates, and oversees Oceanside's Housing-Focused Street Outreach program and field operations; implements the five core elements of the NAEH Housing-Focused Street Outreach Framework: data-informed decision-making, strategic collaboration, person-centered engagement, community health & safety, and housing-first pathways; develops policies, procedures, workflows, and crisis protocols for the HEART Outreach Team; oversees outreach planning, daily deployment, field routing, and prioritization of encampments and high-impact locations; coordinates with Interfaith to streamline referrals, Navigation Center placements, crisis housing pathways, and service matches; facilitates weekly case conferencing with community partners and internal stakeholders; conducts advanced, trauma-informed, culturally responsive outreach to individuals in encampments, vehicles, and public spaces; performs complex client engagement using problem-solving conversations, diversion/prevention strategies, and supportive listening; assists clients in obtaining essential documents (ID, birth certificate, Social Security card, income verification); completes housing readiness steps and CES assessments as required; provides warm handoffs to Interfaith Navigation Center, ECM providers, shelters, behavioral health teams, and medical partners; supports clients in reunification efforts, shared housing, and other housing opportunities consistent with Housing Problem Solving; oversees accurate and timely HMIS entries for the HEART Team; monitors data quality, caseloads, performance metrics, and housing outcomes; prepares reports, memos, and presentations for the Homeless Services Manager, City leadership, and City Council; tracks outreach trends, demographic data, housing placements, and encampment engagement outcomes; implements safety protocols for the HEART team including field communication, environmental scanning, and crisis triage; collaborates with HOT, law enforcement, Fire/EMS, libraries, and parks to coordinate safe, housing-focused responses; ensures encampment engagement is conducted with dignity, communication, and consistency; participates in critical incident responses and coordinate support for high-acuity clients; represents the City in meetings with government agencies, providers, healthcare partners, faith communities, and local businesses; strengthens relationships with culturally specific and equity-focused organizations; conducts public outreach and education on homelessness services and HEART outreach operations; supervises, trains, mentors, schedules, and evaluates Outreach Specialists and support staff; provides in-field coaching on trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, de-escalation, and housing navigation; assists in hiring, onboarding, and establishing training standards for new staff; participates in budget monitoring for outreach-related activities; assists in grant compliance, contract monitoring, and performance reporting prepares written correspondence, summaries, and documentation for leadership and partners and performs related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:
  • Housing-Focused Street Outreach Framework best practices
  • Trauma-informed engagement, motivational interviewing, and crisis de-escalation
  • Homeless services systems, Coordinated Entry, and low-barrier shelters
  • Federal, state, and local homeless services laws (including AB 362)
  • Harm Reduction principles and Housing First philosophy
  • Encampment response coordination and field safety
  • Community resources, behavioral health systems, Medi-Cal/ECM, and benefit programs
  • Principles of case management, documentation, and client confidentiality
  • Principles of supervision, leadership, and training
Ability to:
  • Lead and coordinate a housing-focused outreach program effectively
  • Build rapport with individuals experiencing chronic homelessness
  • Analyze data to inform outreach decisions and improve outcomes
  • Conduct accurate, timely HMIS documentation
  • Facilitate case conferencing and multidisciplinary communications
  • Interpret complex laws, policies, and procedures
  • Exercise independent judgment and creative problem-solving
  • Maintain professionalism in fast-paced or crisis situations
  • Communicate clearly in both written and verbal formats
  • Mentor outreach staff and support their development
Experience and Training
Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities are as follows:

Experience: Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in homeless services, housing navigation, street outreach, behavioral health, crisis response, or related programs with at least two (2) years of direct experience working with unsheltered or high-acuity homeless populations. Two (2) years in a supervisory or lead capacity in a social services, outreach, or housing-focused program is preferred.

Training: A Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Health, Public Administration, Psychology, or a related field. A Master's degree in MSW, MPA, MHA, MPH, MA in Psychology, or a related field is highly desirable.

License/Certificate:
  • Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver's license with a satisfactory driving record.
  • CPR/First Aid Certification, Crisis Intervention, HMIS, and de-escalation techniques training is highly desirable.
Special Requirements:
  • Must be available to work a variety of shifts, including early mornings, nights, and occasional weekends.
  • Bilingual ability to read and speak in English/Spanish is highly desirable.
  • Maintain open and positive relationships in the community with a diverse population.

Working Conditions and Selection Process

Environmental Conditions:
Indoor and outdoor environment with extensive fieldwork, including encampments, outdoor environments and client homes; exposure to weather, noise, and environmental hazards may occur; extensive public contact; exposure to computer screens.

Physical Conditions:
Essential functions may require maintaining physical ability and mobility necessary for: walking, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, twisting or standing; moderate or light lifting (up to 25 pounds); use of fingers, hands and arms for reaching, pushing, pulling; speaking and hearing to exchange information; visual acuity to read or observe and interpret information; and will be required to travel from site to site traveling to various work locations, activities, meetings and events outside of assigned work location.
Selection Process: All properly completed applications will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Failure to provide all required application materials will result in disqualification from the selection process. The process may include any combination of a written exam, oral exam, and/or skills assessment to further evaluate job related qualifications. Candidates who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on an eligibility list and will remain eligible for employment consideration for a minimum of one year.
RESUMES ARE NOT ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF A COMPLETED APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE.

CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION PACKAGE.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.

Note: Prospective employees will undergo, and must successfully pass, a background reference check including employment verification, and a medical exam which may include drug testing.

ANTICIPATED RECRUITMENT TIMETABLE*Recruitment Closes: Friday, August 14, 2026 @ 11:59 P.M.
Interview Panel: Week of August 31, 2026
Department Selection Interview: TBD
*Please note, all dates and/or timeframes are subject to change.

Benefit Summary

The following is a highlight of benefits
Retirement
Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)
  • Employees hired after January 1, 2013 are subject to the State laws of PEPRA in regard to retirement benefits. Each individual's benefits may differ. Consult with Employee Benefits for further details
  • Third Level 1959 Survivor Credit
  • Survivor Continuation option

Additional Retirement Credit Purchase Options
  • Buy additional Service Retirement Credit
  • Service Credit for unused Sick Leave
  • Buy additional Military Service Credit

Health Insurance

Medical:
  • Kaiser HMO
  • Blue Shield HMO
  • Blue Shield PPO
Dental
  • Delta Preferred Option (DPO)
  • Delta Care USA (DHMO)


Vision:
  • Vision Service Plan (VSP)

Pre-Tax Benefits

Health benefits are offered on a pre-tax basis and employees cannot add or delete coverage or benefits unless a qualifying event has occurred.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Anthem EAP is paid for by the City.
  • Available to all members of your household
  • 6 free confidential counseling visits per incident
  • Self-service support online or by phone


Disability and Life Insurances

The STD/LTD/LIFE and AD&D Lincoln Financial premiums are paid for by City.
Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance:
  • First 90 days - benefits paid at 55% of weekly salary to a maximum weekly benefit of $700 for non-work related disability only
  • Seven day waiting period unless hospitalized
  • All sick leave must be exhausted before STD is used

Long-Term Disability Insurance:
  • After 90 days - benefits paid at 66.7% of monthly salary to a maximum monthly benefit of $6,000 for any disability

Life and AD&D Insurance:
  • 1 times annual base salary; minimum of $30,000 and maximum of $200,000 of Basic Life & AD&D

Voluntary Benefits

Benefits are employee paid.
Supplemental Life Insurance through Lincoln Financial:
  • Premiums are determined by age
  • Purchased up to a maximum $500,000 for employees
  • Spousal coverage up to the employee amount
  • Dependent coverage up to $10,000


Flexible Spending Accounts through BCC:
  • Utilizes a debit card as a form of payment
  • Health Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $3,400
  • Dependent Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $7,500

Deferred Compensation - 457 through Empow

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