Homeless Outreach Specialist

About the City

As a future member of our team, you’ll be joining a city with deep roots, cultural diversity, and exciting momentum. Located in the heart of Southern California’s Inland Empire, San Bernardino is the county seat and largest city in San Bernardino County, home to more than 222,000 residents. Its rich history — shaped by Native American, Mexican, and Spanish influences — continues to inspire the city’s evolving identity.

San Bernardino offers access to major transit corridors, natural beauty, and a wide range of housing and lifestyle options. It’s a place where public service careers are supported by a strong sense of community and purpose — and where motivated professionals can grow, contribute, and be part of something meaningful.

The Homeless Outreach Specialist is a role dedicated to engaging and supporting individuals experiencing homelessness within our community. Working under general supervision, this position focuses on street outreach, housing linkage, and case management services to connect individuals with vital resources that promote stability and self‑sufficiency.

This role requires a balance of fieldwork and collaboration, including canvassing areas to locate unsheltered individuals, building trust and rapport, assessing immediate needs, and connecting clients to housing, healthcare, and social service programs. The Homeless Outreach Specialist also works closely with community organizations, service providers, and government agencies to ensure individuals receive coordinated and compassionate care.

This is a meaningful opportunity for someone who is passionate about public service and eager to make a direct impact on the lives of vulnerable community members.

The ideal candidate for this position is compassionate, resourceful, and adaptable. They have experience working directly with vulnerable populations, understand the challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness, and are skilled at building trust in a respectful and professional manner. The ideal candidate is comfortable working in the field, can navigate difficult conversations with empathy, and collaborates effectively with community partners to connect clients with housing, healthcare, and support services.

Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to maintain accurate records are also key to success in this role.

A typical day as a Homeless Outreach Specialist may include:

• Visiting local parks, neighborhoods, or encampments to engage with individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Conducting assessments to identify immediate needs such as shelter, food, or medical care.
• Transporting a client to an appointment with a housing provider or social service agency.
• Meeting with service partners to coordinate care and share resources.
• Assisting clients with completing paperwork for housing programs or benefits.
• Entering case notes and service data into the County’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Participating in team meetings, community workshops, or collaborative outreach events.

Each day can be different, but the work consistently focuses on connecting individuals to resources, fostering stability, and supporting the City’s efforts to reduce homelessness.

Possession of an Associate Degree with major coursework in public relations, communications, or a closely related field; AND one (1) year of responsible experience in community outreach, community engagement, community relations, organizational communications or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. A bachelor’s degree is highly desirable.

A valid…