Salary : $82,032.00 - $113,700.00 Annually
Location : City of Santa Cruz, CA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 27-012
Department: City Manager
Opening Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date: 10/1/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

The Position
The current vacancy is for a full-time Limited-Term Homelessness Response Outreach Specialist I/II in the Homeless Response Division of the City Manager's Office. This full-time Limited-Term position will be for up to a two-year duration, working 40 hours per week, and receive full benefits. The duration of the term may be extended, subject to approval. Under general supervision or direction, the Homelessness Response Outreach Specialist I/II implements programming around the City's sanctioned encampments, transitional community camps, safe parking programs, and similar operations; performs outreach and para-professional case management to unsheltered individuals within the city, encouraging participation in existing programs and services; participates in the design and implementation of the City's homelessness response programming and obtains, monitors, and generates reports on data.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Regular, Full Time, Part Time, Limited Term, and Temporary Homelessness Response Outreach Specialist I/II vacancies that may occur during the life of the list. The eligible list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director.

Homelessness Response Shelter & Outreach Specialist I salary range is $6,836 - $8,811 monthly ($39.44 - $50.83 hourly)
Homelessness Response Shelter & Outreach Specialist II salary range is $7,350 -$9,475 monthly ($42.40 - $54.66 hourly)
Recruitment #27-012

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 10/01/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:
  1. Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
  2. Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.

• Weeks of 10/05 and 10/12/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 10/23/26
• Weeks of 11/02 and 11/09/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.

Basic Function

Under general supervision or direction, implements programming around the City's sanctioned encampments, transitional community camps, safe parking programs, and similar operations; performs outreach and para-professional case management to unsheltered individuals within the city, encouraging participation in existing programs and services; participates in the design and implementation of the City's homelessness response programming and obtains, monitors, and generates reports on data.
Distinguishing Characteristics

The Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist I is the entry-level classification in the Homelessness classification series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents perform the more routine duties while learning the full scope of the classification's duties. As experience is gained, there is more diversity of assignments and greater independence. The Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist I is distinguished from the next higher level of the Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist II in that the latter is expected to also perform the more complex and full scope of duties and with greater independence. Incumbents at the I level are expected to advance to the higher II level after gaining experience, performing the full scope of duties and demonstrating a level of proficiency that meets the qualification of the higher level classification.
Typical Duties
(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below)

• Collaborates with other members of the City's Homelessness Response Team. Assists with developing effective programs and projects and provides input regarding strategic planning and implementation; works with team to enhance programs as needed.
• Administers programs for the City's sanctioned encampments, transitional community camps, safe parking programs, and similar operations. Ensures participant adherence to rules and regulations; establishes and maintains relationships with participants to conduct individual service plans and connect participants to available intervention, referral and services; engages in the harm reduction model of care; coordinates on-site service provision from County and non-profit partners; facilitates camp community building; engages in and models conflict resolution skills; communicates site needs (supplies, repairs, etc.) to supervisor.
• Conducts outreach to unhoused individuals within the City of Santa Cruz; utilizes outreach strategies to develop a trusted relationship; builds rapport that will assist homeless individuals with addressing barriers to obtain housing, services and appropriate health care needs; provides appropriate resources and referrals and connects individuals to existing services (County and non-profit); assists police and fire safety personnel in non-enforcement situations involving homeless clients; assists clients in obtaining appropriate care; and serves as liaison and advocate for unsheltered clients as appropriate and needed.
• Develops and maintains relationships with various public and private service agencies, community groups, and faith-based community; identifies and provides recommendations to clients, personnel and partnering agencies regarding ongoing support services to meet client needs, obtains services for clients; ensures that clients are receiving the most appropriate form of support; and coordinates and facilitates with other agencies and City and County departments regarding the needs and conditions of unsheltered homeless individuals and families.
• Obtains and maintains participant data and service utilization records; assists in developing and maintaining computer database or manual reports of ongoing services to clients; regularly completes field notes and logs to track case management efforts; completes client interview forms to gather relevant data and statistics of clients served; electronically documents contact and progress of current and former clients; and adheres to applicable confidentiality regulations with regard to client information.
• Stays abreast of new trends and practices in community outreach and current, emerging, and urgent issues related to the unsheltered homeless community.
• Works with community groups to promote environmental stewardship of natural areas.
• Provides trauma informed and culturally competent client services.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires prolonged standing and walking, reaching, kneeling, stooping, bending, working on uneven surfaces, and sitting in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard and picking up supplies. Additionally, the position requires far and near vision during the course of job duties. Normal hearing is required when providing phone and personal service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper, documents, and miscellaneous items at camps (or similar) weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. The position works outdoors with the use of protective gloves during site visits with exposure to dust and allergens, trash, biohazards and/or hazardous chemicals, human waste, sharps and needles, unpleasant odors and insects.

Minimum Qualifications
The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:
Education and Experience:
Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist I

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, counseling, human services, social science, or a related field; and
• Two (2) years para-professional experience with case management, providing counseling, social services, outreach, program oversight or a related field which include at least one (1) year experience working with people who have experienced homelessness, mental health and/or substance use issues.

OR

• High school diploma or GED equivalent; and
• Five (5) years para- professional experience assisting with case management, providing counseling, social services, outreach, program oversight or a related field which include at least two (2) years' experience working with people who have experienced homelessness may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree.

Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist II

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, counseling, human services, social science, or a related field; and
• Four (4) years para-professional experience providing case management, counseling, social services, outreach, program oversight or a related field which include at least two (2) years' experience working with people who have experienced homelessness, mental health and/or substance use issues.

OR

• High school diploma or GED equivalent; and
• Seven (7) years para-professional experience providing case management, counseling, social services, outreach, program oversight or a related field which include at least three (3) years' experience working with people who have experienced homelessness may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree.

Knowledge:

Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist I

• Practice of motivational interviewing and trauma-informed services highly valued.
• Principles and techniques of interviewing clientele.
• Reference and research methods and techniques used in collecting, compiling and organizing data.
• Moderately complex analytical principles and techniques.

Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist II

In addition to the Knowledge listed above for Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist I:

• Understanding of homelessness and related issues in this community.
• Community neighborhoods and areas populated by homeless individuals.
• Local community issues and regional community resources available to citizens; recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to homelessness.

Abilities:

Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist I and II

• Understand and explain community resources and services that provide assistance to the homeless.
• Engage in conflict resolution and de-escalation.
• Work well independently and as part of a team.
• Communicate effectively with persons displaying psychological and substance-induced behaviors that may include depression, anger and confusion.
• Collect, compile, edit, classify, and tabulate statistical and qualitative data.
• Assess situations for health and safety needs.
• Establish and maintain a good working relationship with co-workers, clients and the general public.
• Explain an agency's purpose, programs, and operations.
• Communicate effectively.
• Motivate others.
• Organize and complete tasks in timely and thorough manner.
• Present oneself and the agency professionally to internal and external audiences.
• Prepare and present reports.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver's license.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual English and Spanish.
• Lived experience with homelessness, substance abuse, mental health, etc.
• Familiarity with a homelessness management information system.

Career Ladder

• Homelessness Response Manager
• Homelessness Services Coordinator
• Homelessness Response Shelter and Outreach Specialist I/II

SALARY - The current salary range for this position is posted on the City website

See the for further details on pay rates and practices.
APPOINTMENT - Any candidate selected by the appointing department may be required to pass a pre-employment medical exam administered by a City-selected physician before hire to non-sedentary positions. Prior to starting work, all newly hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment. Candidates must present documentation verifying authorization to work in the United States and take a loyalty oath as required by the State of California at the time of hire. Appointments to regular positions are subject to a six-month probationary period which is considered a part of the selection process. Probationary employees m