ROOTS Senior Outreach Specialist

The Reaching Out on the Streets (ROOTS) Program aims to reduce the prevalence of homelessness by addressing the social determinants of health, opening opportunities for personal agency, and intervening in critical moments of crisis to reduce criminal legal interactions, increase access to services, and reduce fatal overdoses. The staffing and organizational plan consists of both site and outreach workers who work citywide to help unhoused and unstably housed people be healthy and safe while homeless through case management, referrals to services, addressment of daily living needs, criminal justice navigation, and follow-up care coordination.

Our staff will facilitate non-coercive service connection based on the client’s priorities, using motivational interviewing, unconditional positive regard, assertive engagement, trust, and reciprocity to build relationships and meet client goals.

The ROOTS Senior Outreach Specialist position will be community-based and primarily responsible for conducting outreach and providing support to individuals experiencing housing instability or homelessness. Current ROOTS sites are located in the Northside, Downtown, and East Liberty, respectively, in Police Zones 1, 2, and 5.

Department: Public Safety, Office of Community Health & Safety

Posting Type: Announcement

Salary: $64,542 per year. 

Union: None, this is a non-union position.

Civil Service Classification: Non-competitive

General Application Requirements:

You must submit or show proof of all the following at the time of application (unless otherwise indicated below), or your application will be disqualified. 
Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.

• Applicants must submit a complete application, including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable), and completed supplemental questions.
• Applicants must become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain a resident throughout employment.
  • Click here to view a map of City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
• A current, valid Pennsylvania Class C Driver's License is required prior to appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. Written requests for accommodation based on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act will be considered by the Department of Human Resources & Civil Service on an individual basis.

NOTE: The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions. The background investigation includes, but is not limited to, criminal background, driver's license, and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments. Candidates may be disqualified from consideration based on the results of their background investigation, as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered.

NOTE: Candidates being considered for employment must submit official transcripts verifying post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to hire.

Qualifying Requirements:

Your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position. You will receive notice of your eligibility status via email.

• WORK EXPERIENCE: The application must clearly show three (3) years of full-time experience in social services, criminal justice, healthcare street outreach, or a related field. (Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)
• EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show a high school diploma or equivalent. A bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, direct care, criminal justice, or human development is preferred. (See NOTE under General Application Requirements regarding education/training verification.)
• EQUIVALENCY: Education/training and/or work experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis if the application clearly shows the required number of years to meet the Total Qualifying Requirement for this position based on the sum of work experience and education/training listed above. The Total Qualifying Requirement is three (3) years. (See NOTE under General Application Requirements regarding education/training verification.)

If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will receive a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s). You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position. Candidates receiving job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) before the date of hire.

• Written:  None required for this position.
• Performance:  None required for this position.
• Medical:  None required for this position.

• Conducts outreach in the community focusing on individuals living outside or experiencing homelessness.

• Elicits needs through relationship building with clients.

• Advocates for clients who encounter barriers to services.

• Supports client transition from homelessness or housing instability to secure housing. 

• Establishes working relationships with shelters, mental health supports, public safety personnel, and external outreach providers. 

• Distributes and tracks use of harm reduction and basic needs supplies, including but not limited to hygiene supplies and winter clothing.

• Addresses daily living needs such as bathing, eating, and temporary shelter.

• Responds to “warm handoff” requests from law enforcement personnel.

• Facilitates medical street rounds in partnership with AHN Street Medicine team. 

• Assists in obtaining housing readiness documentation such as personal identification, income verification, homelessness verification, and more.

• Provides crisis intervention and risk assessments to individual living outside.

• Documents service encounters, client information, and outcome tracking in relevant software using proper case management protocols.

• Provides support to one ROOTS site but supports other sites throughout the City of Pittsburgh as assigned.

• Performs other related tasks and duties as assigned or required.

CLICK HERE to view the full job description including knowledge, skills, and abilities, and working conditions for this position. Locate and click on the position title to view the complete job description.