Housing Outreach & Linkage Specialist

Department: Senior Housing Services (SHS) 

Status: Full-time, non-exempt 

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM –5:00 PM. Occasional nights or weekends 

Compensation: $30.00 per hour 

Reports to: Senior Housing Services Manager 

About Us 

St. Mary's Center is a community of hope, healing and justice dedicated to improving the well-being of Seniors and Preschool Families in West Oakland by meeting basic needs for food, housing, and social connection. We build on a strong foundation of direct service provision and participant-led advocacy that amplifies the voices of people directly impacted by hunger, homelessness, and inequity to create a more just and caring society.  

Today, our staff of 40 provides Senior Homeless and Housing Services, including case management and housing clinics; transitional housing at multiple sites; and a vibrant Community Center offering hot meals, social connection, and leadership development. We are partnered with a local nonprofit developer to build and service 73 new homes for Seniors near our headquarters. 

Position Summary 

The Housing Outreach & Linkage Specialist conducts direct outreach and participant engagement activities designed to connect older adults experiencing homelessness to housing resources, benefits, healthcare, and supportive services. 

The position serves as a bridge between outreach activities and enrollment into Housing Services programs. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Street Outreach & Participant Engagement (40%) 

• Conduct field-based outreach. 

• Engage unsheltered older adults. 

• Build trusting relationships with participants. 

• Conduct initial housing-focused conversations. 

Housing & Service Linkage (25%) 

• Connect participants to Housing Clinic services. 

• Support Coordinated Entry participation. 

• Facilitate referrals to Housing Navigation. 

• Connect participants to healthcare, benefits, and supportive services. 

Benefits & Resource Navigation (15%) 

• Assist participants with benefit applications. 

• Support access to transportation resources. 

• Connect participants to community services. 

• Assist with document collection and readiness activities. 

Community Meetings & Outreach (10%) 

• Participate in outreach meetings. 

• Coordinate with service providers and outreach partners. 

Documentation & Compliance (10%) 

• Maintain outreach documentation. 

• Complete HMIS and Salesforce documentation. 

• Track referrals and participant engagement activities. 

• Participate in quality assurance reviews. 

Performance Expectations 

• Consistent outreach engagement completed. 

• Housing referrals generated. 

• Benefits linkage activities completed. 

• Documentation standards achieved. 

• Successful connection of participants to housing pathways. 

Qualifications 

• Associates degree in human services, psychology, sociology or related field 

• Minimum of 1 years’ experience working with co-occurring challenges of the elder population including intensive case management, mental health and substance use disorder counseling.    

• Must be able to work collaboratively within a strong team environment, and manage designated tasks independently.  

• Current, valid California Driver's License  

General Staff Expectations 

• Promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment. 

• Support the mission and values of St. Mary’s Center. 

• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality. 

• Follow agency policies and procedures. 

Physical Requirements 

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.  In general, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is expected to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.   

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and communicate effectively throughout the workday. 

• Ability to travel to encampments and community sites. 

• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. 

• Ability to use computers, phones, tablets, and related technology for documentation and communication. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

St. Mary’s Center is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active Equal Employment Opportunity. We celebrate diversity and are committed to an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status.  

In compliance with the California Fair Chance Act, St. Mary’s Center will consider qualified applicant with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act.