St. Vincent De Paul Village·San Diego, California
Conduct street-based outreach to engage individuals experiencing homelessness and build trust to connect them with essential services. Manage a caseload by providing care coordination, advocacy, and navigation for medical, housing, and social service needs.
At Father Joe’s Villages, Street Health meets people where they are - in the places most systems don’t reach. Our Street Health team provides outreach, connection, and care coordination for individuals experiencing homelessness across San Diego County, helping people take meaningful steps toward stability, health, and housing.
As a Street Health Outreach Worker, you will do work that is deeply relational, community-based, and impact-driven. You will meet people in the field, build trust over time, and help remove barriers that stand between individuals and the care and support they need.
This is relationship-driven, field-based work that requires patience, persistence, and a genuine belief in people’s ability to change and stabilize over time. Success in this role means showing up consistently in the field, building trust with individuals who may be disconnected from services, and helping them take steps - sometimes small, sometimes life-changing - toward housing, healthcare, and stability.
The work can be unpredictable and challenging, but it is also highly meaningful. You will work both independently and as part of a supportive interdisciplinary team focused on improving real outcomes for real people.
This role is ideal for someone who is energized by field-based work, motivated by human connection, and committed to supporting people through some of the most difficult moments in their lives. Every outreach interaction is an opportunity to reduce barriers and help someone take a meaningful step toward housing, healthcare, and stability.
Your Role
Conduct street-based and community-based outreach to engage individuals experiencing homelessness, build trust, and connect them to services.
Maintain an active caseload, including Enhanced Care Management (ECM) members and provide services, including care coordination, service navigation, advocacy, and ongoing case management related to medical, housing, and social service needs.
Help individuals access healthcare, behavioral health services, substance use treatment, housing programs, and other supportive resources.
Support clients in navigating benefits such as Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and SSI/SSDI.
Work closely with healthcare providers, case managers, and community partners to coordinate care and reduce barriers to services.
Complete timely documentation in HMIS, EHR, and related systems to support continuity of care.
Desirable Candidate Profile
High School Diploma or GED required; Associate degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Health, or a related field preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience in street outreach, case management, housing navigation, behavioral health support, or related direct service work with vulnerable populations.
Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, behavioral health conditions, substance use disorders, or complex social needs preferred.
Experience providing ECM services preferred.
Demonstrated commitment to serving vulnerable populations with compassion, respect, and a belief in every individual’s capacity for growth and stability.
Ability to obtain required certifications (e.g., CPR/First Aid, crisis de-escalation, HMIS); relevant certifications such as CHW, CPI, MHFA, or Peer Support preferred.
Basic computer proficiency and ability to complete documentation in electronic systems.
Valid California driver’s license required and ability to meet organizational driving standards.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Key Competencies
Knowledge of homelessness services systems, care coordination, and community resources.
Understanding of trauma-informed care, Housing First, harm reduction, and client-centered engagement practices.
Strong communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills.
Comfort working in fast-paced, unpredictable field environments requiring sound judgment and flexibility.
Ability to manage competing priorities and maintain an active caseload in a field-based role.
Ability to build rapport and maintain professional boundaries with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Commitment to teamwork, accountability, and delivering services with compassion, respect, empathy, empowerment, and dignity.
This is a full-time, field-based position involving travel throughout the community, including streets, encampments, shelters, and clinic locations. Schedules are typically Monday through Friday; hours may vary based on outreach schedules, client needs, and program priorities.
Compensation & Benefits
The anticipated starting pay range for this role is $24.00 to $27.61 per hour. Final placement and starting rate will be determined based on the candidate's experience, qualifications, certification status, and internal equity considerations.
Father Joe’s Villages offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement plan options, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. Employees also have access to wellness programs and employee assistance resources to support work-life balance and overall well-being.
Join an organization deeply rooted in Compassion, Respect, Empathy, Empowerment, and Dignity. Make a meaningful impact by supporting individuals and families as they transition from homelessness to housing stability. Work alongside a collaborative, mission-driven team committed to holistic, trauma-informed care. Grow your skills in case management, housing stability, and client advocacy within a respected community organization.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre- and post-employment requirements, which may include background checks, health screenings, license or certification verification, driving record review, and other requirements relevant to the role. These checks are conducted following a conditional offer of employment.
Father Joe’s Villages is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Requires a high school diploma or GED and at least two years of experience in street outreach, case management, or behavioral health support. A valid California driver's license and the ability to work in unpredictable field environments are mandatory.
Market context
In California, behavioral-health roles tied to substance use disorder counseling and case management are typically supported by ongoing community and treatment-program demand. These positions are competitive because employers often look for a high school diploma, at least 2 years of SUD counseling or case management experience, and current Registered or Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor status. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly compare fit and note that professional development and paid continuing education are listed as benefits.