Outreach Specialist
Company: Pine Street Inn
Location: Boston
Posted on: February 16, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description Job Description Description: SCHEDULE: 40 hours,
Monday – Friday, evenings and weekends (only as needed during
inclement weather and as directed by program needs) Pays Starting
at $23.48 - $30.00 per hour DEO (Salary ranges provided are based
on relevant experience and skill set) LOCATION: 105 Chauncy St and
community-based work on the streets of Boston SUMMARY OF THE
POSITION : The Outreach Specialist will provide outreach,
engagement, and case management services to street sleeping
individuals in the city of Boston. This includes the identification
of chronically homeless individuals, assessment, service planning,
referrals for substance abuse/health/mental health care, and
housing placement for targeted clients sleeping on the streets of
Boston as part of a two person team. The Outreach Specialist will
assess individuals on the streets, assisting with identifying the
appropriate level of service need and diverting individuals from
homelessness whenever possible. The Outreach Specialist will work
closely with the Coordinated Access System to match chronically
homeless individuals with needed services and a housing pathway.
All Outreach Specialist will possess and exhibit the following
competencies in their roles; Client Focus : Provides service
excellence to guests. Responds to needs in a timely, professional,
helpful, and courteous manner. Keeps guests up to date on progress
of services they are receiving and changes that affect them.
Appropriately prioritizes needs of guests. Attention to Detail:
Works in a conscientious, consistent, and thorough manner.
Demonstrates clear understanding of documentation requirements for
the Outreach Specialist role and maintains current, accurate
documentation. Motivating Clients: Inspires guest commitment to
their own development toward autonomy and independent living. Looks
for and uses intervention techniques, including motivational
interviewing and solution-focused discussions. Acknowledges
achievements. Helps guests identify their long-term plans and
goals. Maintains and communicates a positive, yet realistic
outlook. Uses a variety of approaches to energize and inspire.
Requirements: EDUCATION/TRAINING: REQUIRED: High School Diploma or
GED, AND Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with a homeless
population and experience delivering community-based case
management services to individuals with SUD, COD and SMI Valid MA
driver’s license in good standing and an acceptable driving record
OR A minimum of an Associate Degree or 60 college credits in a
human services field or, LADC or, CADC or, One year experience
working with a homeless population and experience delivering
community- based case management services to individuals with SUD,
COD and SMI Valid MA driver’s license in good standing and an
acceptable driving record KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE: REQUIRED: Minimum
of one year recovery counseling or case client services to a
complex and vulnerable population High degree of cultural
sensitivity and ability to work effectively with diverse people and
situations PREFERRED: Experience with HMIS systems or customer
databases Strong demonstrated experience in readily applying both
motivational interviewing and stage of change work. Training in
and/or experience providing services to racial, cultural and
ethnically diverse populations Knowledge of Stage of Change work as
it relates to addiction & MH with individuals experiencing
substance abuse, mental illness, trauma, homelessness and/or other
complex disorders Bilingual (English/Spanish,
English/Haitian-Creole) strongly preferred PHYSICAL
ABILITIES/SKILLS: REQUIRED: Ability to stand for extended periods
of time Ability to lift up to 25 pounds (assisting in physically
lifting clients/containers) Ability to stretch and bend Ability to
respond safely and quickly in case of emergency situations Ability
to travel to and access multiple sites on the streets and within
the community Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of
time and communicate by telephone Must be able to drive a PSI
vehicle for work MENTAL ABILITIES/SKILLS: REQUIRED: Highly
developed interpersonal and effective communication skills
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills;
the ability to balance many competing demands. The ability to
maintain a solution focus in all situations encountered. Highly
developed professional boundaries and ethical standards
Demonstrated knowledge of and sensitivity and cultural competency
around issues related to homelessness, trauma, mental illness,
addiction, and diverse vulnerable populations History of
effectively working in a team-oriented workplace WORKING
CONDITIONS: 65% of the time outreach specialist will be spent
outdoors in all types of weather, with much of the time spent
walking, standing, or bending 35% of the time the outreach
specialist will be working at their desk ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: Case Management/Motivation of
Client Actively manage an assigned caseload of chronically
homeless, street-sleeping clients with the goal of securing
housing, related benefits, and services needed to retain housing
and empower clients towards greater self–sufficiency. Maintain a
solution focus in all situations. Provide high quality, culturally
sensitive, intensive case management while utilizing the
evidence-based approaches of motivational interviewing,
trauma-informed care, and harm reduction. Provide outreach,
engagement, and case management on the streets of Boston as well as
in the office. Utilize Trauma-Informed Care when interacting with
clients, along with motivational interviewing skills and a Stages
of Change framework, to aid clients towards positive outcomes.
Assess clients on their vulnerability, chronicity, substance abuse
issues, mental health symptoms, legal issues, health care,
employment and income, independent living skills, and community
engagement using to guide frequency and type of case management
intervention. Provide advocacy services with community agencies and
other available and appropriate resources, with the goal of
supporting each client’s personal growth, enhanced independence and
access to housing and external services. Demonstrate initiative in
exploring existing and potential resources through the development
of positive working relationships with service providers in the
Greater Boston community. Actively participate in referrals and
aftercare/discharge planning to and from treatment programs when
appropriate. Work with clients to create and implement
client-centered, strength-based individualized plans that have a
housing and safety focus. Completing triage assessments to divert
persons from homelessness and identifying needed services and a
housing pathway upon completion of triage assessment. Work closely
with internal and external agencies on housing pathways through the
Coordinated Access System towards getting clients off the streets
and into housing. Ensure that coordination of services occur in all
housing placements. Attention to Detail/Documentation Maintain
accurate written records and documentation in accordance with
program standards including, but not limited to: individualized
plans; guest charts; incident reports; detailed case notes;
referrals; and third party billing when applicable. Maintain HMIS
records in a timely and accurate fashion and contribute to Annual
Progress Reporting when needed. Document all hazardous incidents
and intervening appropriately in any unsafe situation. Adhere to
all documentation and policy requirements of contractors,
authorities and community partners (i.e. Boston Housing Authority,
City of Boston, Metro Housing, etc.). Organizational
Responsibilities Participate in Outreach team events and
activities, contributing positively to daily huddles, case
conferences and collaborations with third parties when appropriate.
Consistently identify unsafe or potentially unsafe situations and
intervene appropriately to maintain a safe and secure environment
for self and others. Through daily work, promote a
safety-conscious, respectful working environment. Consistently
follow PSI and shelter safety policies and procedures. Adhere to
TB-testing procedures and complete OSHA trainings. Attend mandatory
NARCAN\ Naloxone trainings and administer it to clients as needed.
Maintain current certification and attend mandatory trainings in
CPR and First Aid and administer life-saving aid to clients as
needed. Adhere to the Organization’s mandatory training
requirements including CPI, CPI refresher courses, Trauma-Informed
Care, and any other training required by program management. Drive
and maintain eligibility to drive PSI vehicles. The Outreach
Specialist will respond to City of Boston 311 calls in all of
Boston proper, Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, Mattapan, East Boston, and
Logan International Airport. This position will pair up in teams of
at least two staff members and utilize the Pine Street Inn vehicles
as needed to adequately cover the Greater Boston Area. This
position will work closely with program management and the OVAN
supervisors to ensure good communication, and coordination of
services occurs in response to city and neighborhood requests for
services. Outreach Specialists are considered essential employees
under PSI’s weather emergency policy, reporting for work regardless
of adverse weather conditions. Other duties as assigned in order to
meet the needs of the organization during pandemics, other public
health emergencies, and weather emergencies. INTERNAL CANDIDATES
APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE SUBMIT A PROMOTION/TRANSFER
APPLICATION TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT WITHIN 10 DAYS OF
POSTED DATE. Pine Street Inn is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative
Action Employer.
Keywords: Pine Street Inn, Nantucket , Outreach Specialist, Healthcare , Boston, Massachusetts
