Housing Specialist

Abacus Staffing, a leading provider of comprehensive employment/placement solutions, is seeking market talent. We offer meaningful and long-term employment opportunities, a competitive pay structure and outstanding customer service to a workforce of more than 20,000, nationally.

Job Title: Housing Specialist I
- Outreach Worker

Job Location s: City of Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Schedule: Monday - Friday 5:30am – 2:30pm, or 7:00am – 4:00pm, or 10:00am – 7:00pm

The Homeless Outreach Specialist will enhance our ability to provide consistent visibility and persistent and ongoing engagement services to individuals experiencing homelessness in all areas of the city. The goal is to ensure people experiencing homelessness learn about and access available services that can help them move from homelessness to housing stability.

The ideal candidate will have experience outreaching to and engaging with vulnerable populations (including searching known or suspected homeless encampments in wooded areas), utilizing a trauma-informed care approach; have experience determining/re-determining client eligibility for program participation, connecting clients to appropriate resources, becoming an advocate for clients; excellent communication skills; active listening skills; and the ability to de-escalate and manage clients in crisis.

• Conduct out/in-reach activities to identify and engage homeless individuals and families within an assigned area by visiting homeless encampments and approaching people on the streets.
• Conduct face-to-face interviews and collect information to determine current needs and make referrals for housing and other assistance within the Virginia Beach Community Housing Crisis Response System, using interpersonal skills and interviewing techniques.
• Establish rapport with customers to assess their needs and make appropriate referrals to assist customers in becoming self-sufficient.
• Conduct the intake process, including documenting information in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Provide transportation to necessary appointments to help clients become document ready.
• Provide transportation as needed for client and organizational success.
• Spending approximately 60% of time working outside in various weather conditions.
• Working non-traditional hours, including weekends and nighttime shifts (occasionally).

• Requires any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to four (4) years in fields utilizing the required knowledge, skills and abilities, such as finance, business or public administration, housing administration and social work.
• Must have a current and valid driver’s license for a position in the Outreach and Engagement or Prevention and Diversion Team.
• DMV check.
• A Defensive Driving Course must be taken prior to start.

Weekly pay and benefits available!