Community Health Worker (Homeless Street Outreach)

FLSA Status: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Compensation: $25.00-$31.00 per hour

Post Date: February 11, 2026

Close Date: February 25, 2026

To apply for this position: Please submit a resume and cover letter. Your resume will not be considered if a cover letter is not included.   

About Us

Since 1998, Community HealthWorks has been training and empowering compassionate, hardworking individuals from the communities we serve. Our team members share a deep commitment to addressing barriers to healthcare access, and many of them bring relatable experiences that fuel their tenacity and empathy. This unique perspective drives our success and ensures our work creates real impact.

At Community HealthWorks, we’re more than a team — we’re community movers and shakers, barrier removers, connectors of resources, navigators of systems, and advocates for our clients. We believe in breaking down barriers and supporting our clients and communities at every step. The unwavering dedication of our staff has been the cornerstone of our growth, and we are excited to welcome new individuals ready to shape our future.

POSITION PURPOSE & SCOPE

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, in partnership with health plans and community partners, the Community Health Worker (CHW) works primarily in the field to engage in Street Outreach and build relationships with people experiencing homelessness. The CHW will be assigned to a street outreach team that provides hands-on advocacy and assists with connection to health services, housing, and other social services through in-person field work and community engagement.

The primary goal for a CHW is to assist individuals experiencing homelessness with accessing health, behavioral health, housing, and social services through CalAIM (California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal). The CHW will develop familiarity with various medical conditions and provide knowledgeable support to clients managing complex health needs. The CHW will administer assessment tools, connect to social services, facilitate placement into emergency shelter, and support with attaining permanent housing while maintaining a manageable caseload capacity. CHWs provide person-centered long-term case management with an emphasis on helping people experiencing homelessness achieve their housing and health goals. CHWs will learn to navigate Sacramento’s housing system, government benefits, and medical systems of care. The CHW will work as part of a larger team within Community HealthWorks and engage with various other community agencies and local service providers.

This position requires approximately 60% field work and 40% office-based activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Field Work and Direct Client Support:

• Conduct year-round, field-based outreach (regardless of weather) to people experiencing homelessness on streets, in fields, and along trails and creeks
• Provide support, empowerment, mentorship, and education for individuals with health challenges, including substance use and mental health issues through primarily field-based interactions
• Work collaboratively with identified agency partners to conduct outreach in the community, focusing on those who are most vulnerable
• Work in various field environments, including shelters, homeless encampments, and various government and medical institutions.
• Accompany and support clients during medical appointments, social service visits, housing opportunities, and other critical appointments
• Provide crisis intervention support when situations arise, while understanding organizational limitations as a non-crisis prevention agency
• Distribute essential resources including food, clothing, and water to clients in need
• Work closely with justice-impacted individuals, including those with probation and parole experience
• Provide legal advocacy support as part of client services

Health Plan and Service Coordination:

• Work with and advocate to clients' health plans to ensure appropriate care and services
• Assist clients in connecting to appropriate housing services and support, navigating Sacramento's housing market, and facilitating housing location, paperwork, and move-in processes
• Assist in obtaining health coverage insurance and housing readiness documentation such as ID, social security card, and income verification, including coordination of transportation to appointments as necessary for clients on caseload
• Perform health and housing assessments, review client medical records, and submit referrals to various services and programs
• Work with team of Health Navigators to confirm health coverage and ensure comprehensive health services, nutrition programs, and other community resources

Documentation and Professional Responsibilities:

• Maintain complete client records, daily activity logs, mileage logs, and other reports as directed using appropriate computer skills and documentation systems
• Maintain clients' confidentiality and strict adherence to HIPPA requirements
• Coordinate with internal and external navigators from other agencies to ensure collaborative outreach approach
• Establish and maintain positive, productive working relationships with mental health programs, shelter programs, law enforcement, and providers of community services
• Demonstrate professionalism when interacting with government officials, health plans, and other agencies
• Attend team meetings, case conferences, training workshops, and community meetings as needed

Training and Development:

• Participate in onboarding new staff through shadowing and reverse shadowing training models
• Engage in ongoing on-the-job training and education, with emphasis on learning while working
• Maintain and participate in all job-related training, certifications, and renewals such as Mental Health First Aid, Motivational Interviewing, and Certified Enrollment Counselor/Certified Application Counselor certification

General Responsibilities:

• Regular attendance
• Other duties as assigned
• Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position; however, it in no way implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This position is primarily field-based (approximately 60% of time) with office work comprising the remaining 40%. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be:

Field Environment:

• Subject to outside environmental conditions while conducting various levels of outreach to people experiencing homelessness in all weather conditions
• Working in areas inhabited by people experiencing homelessness, including unclean and hazardous environments such as shelters, home visits, homeless encampments, and community clinics
• Dealing with challenging individuals and potentially hostile situations
• Subject to hostile and emotionally upset clients, family members, personnel and pets
• Working beyond normal working hours when necessary to meet client needs

Office and Professional Environment:

• Working in a typical office environment for documentation, case coordination, and team meetings
• Communicating with co-workers, health provider personnel, government agencies, community based organizations and partners
• Involved with clients, health provider personnel, government agencies (e.g. City of Sacramento, Department of Human Assistance, Department of Health and Human Services, Covered California, Department of Motor Vehicles, Social Security Administration), and community-based organizations under all conditions and circumstances
• Maintaining liaison with clients, their families, support personnel, etc., to adequately plan for client care

PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The inability to cope with a stressful work environment does not constitute a protected disability.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to work in various weather conditions (rain or shine) and outdoor environments. The employee must be able to walk extensively in field settings, navigate uneven terrain, and work in various physical environments including encampments, shelters, and community settings. The employee is occasionally required to stand; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, and frequently talk or hear; operate a computer keyboard; able to complete all forms of personal writing; make and receive telephone calls; use copier, printer and or fax machine. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Emotional Demands: This position involves significant emotional demands that require careful attention and support. The CHW will regularly encounter clients in crisis situations, trauma survivors, and individuals experiencing severe mental health or addiction challenges. The role requires emotional resilience, the ability to maintain professional boundaries while providing compassionate care, and the capacity to process difficult situations. The CHW must be able to handle exposure to human suffering, death, violence, and other traumatic circumstances while maintaining professional effectiveness. Access to supervision, peer support, and mental health resources is essential for success in this role.

Job Relationships

Responsible to: Project Manager
Interrelationships: Senior management including CEO, Program Directors, Project Managers and co-workers.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory duties.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Lived experience with homelessness, incarceration, substance use, or mental health challenges is highly valued and emphasized.
• Desired continuing education includes: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in social work or related field. Certified Drug & Alcohol Counselor (CDAC) and/or Behavioral Health certification.
• Desired work experience with the following populations:
• Unsheltered individuals experiencing complex health issues.
• Justice-impacted individuals, including those on probation or parole.
• Individuals with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) needs.
• Desired work experience in the following roles: health navigator, peer support worker, or outreach worker.
• Community engagement and advocacy experience is highly valued.

Language Skills:

• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to write simple correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to clients and coworkers.

Mathematical Skills:

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's.
• Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but straightforward written or oral instructions.
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency with internet software, Microsoft Office Suite, and basic office equipment (email, copier, printer, fax).
• Strong documentation and data entry skills are essential for maintaining client records.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• A current CA Class C Driver's License, proof of auto insurance, and a clean driving record are required.
• Must have reliable transportation and be able to travel within Sacramento County and surrounding counties.
• Employees who drive as part of their job responsibilities will be required to undergo an annual driving record check and provide proof of valid car insurance each year. Maintaining a clean driving record and up-to-date insurance is a condition of continued employment in driving-related roles.

Other Qualifications:

• Must complete a criminal background check.
• All Community HealthWorks employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.
• Must meet transportation and driving requirements listed above.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Weekend work may be required based on program needs. Work schedule is subject to change.

How to Apply To apply, please submit the following:

1. A resume detailing your relevant experience and skills.
2. A cover letter explaining why you’re excited to join Community HealthWorks and how your experience aligns with the role.

We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to our team!