Director of Street Outreach

About the Role

The Director of Street Outreach is a specialized professional position responsible for providing overall direction and supervision of the Street Outreach team at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter (ERCS). This role serves individuals through the Homeless Healthcare Program (HHP), Hypothermia Prevention Program, Street Outreach program, and Drop-In services. The Director must demonstrate strong clinical, interpersonal, and motivational skills, employing a patient, trauma-informed approach with an equity lens to ensure equitable service delivery aligned with the Agency’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

The Director utilizes a Housing First approach to transition unsheltered individuals into permanent housing and is accountable for meeting or exceeding program outcomes and contractual obligations. This role requires comfort engaging with unsheltered individuals in non-traditional settings such as campsites, woods, and parked cars. The Director is part of the leadership team of the Housing and Community Services Division. Bilingual candidates (English/Spanish) and those with lived experience of housing instability are strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision for Street Outreach staff, overseeing street outreach services for unsheltered single adults.
• Carries a small caseload as needed.
• Oversees the outreach schedule, engaging individuals living in places not meant for human habitation (e.g., campsites, parked cars).
• Accompanies the Street Outreach team to non-traditional locations to engage individuals in services.
• Supervises the Coordinator of the Hypothermia Prevention Program and oversees service provision at the program and drop-in day services at ERCS.
• Serves as a liaison with community groups, governmental agencies, and elected officials to support local and regional strategies for unsheltered homelessness.
• Provides rapid response to reports of unsheltered individuals from officials, community members, and partner agencies.
• Collaborates with other street outreach teams and advocates for individuals to obtain services (e.g., benefits, medical, mental health, substance abuse, housing referrals).
• Assesses housing barriers and determines housing/service needs for single adults experiencing homelessness.
• Develops housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plans with unsheltered individuals.
• Provides mediation and advocacy with landlords to facilitate housing procurement.
• Manages state and county direct assistance funding streams.
• Maintains communication between tenants, landlords, referral sources, collaborating agencies, debtors, and creditors.
• Educates individuals on residential lease contracts, tenant rights, and responsibilities.
• Makes referrals for credit counseling and financial management services.
• Documents all services, referrals, and transportation provided.
• Assists in program development and evaluation to ensure services meet local, state, federal, and agency outcomes.
• Solves complex problems with effective, innovative solutions.
• Monitors staff time allocation across program cost centers.
• Maintains partnerships with Fairfax County Office to Prevention and End Homelessness (OPEH), Fairfax County Health Department, Community Services Board (CSB), Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH), Department of Family Services (DFS), and Fairfax County Department of Adult and Aging.
• Maintains case and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) files to agency and contractual standards.
• Serves as HMIS Super User, generating reports and ensuring data accuracy.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary meetings, case staffings, community-wide trainings, and agency events.
• Provides supervision for interns/volunteers as appropriate.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Leadership Competencies

• Develops and motivates others: Motivates and supports staff development through coaching and mentoring.
• External representation and collaboration: Represents the organization among stakeholders and communicates the organization’s vision. Seeks innovative collaboration opportunities.
• Manages uncertainty: Identifies and manages risks; adapts to change and ambiguity.
• Manages with data: Analyzes data to identify insights and implications.
• Organization and systems thinking: Applies knowledge of the community and operational landscape to inform decisions.
• Personnel Management: Effectively manages and develops staff.
• Team-building: Fosters strong relationships and collaborative interactions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field or commensurate experience with homeless/at-risk populations, including supervisory/management experience.
• Master’s Degree in a social services field or equivalent combination of education and direct work experience strongly preferred.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• Three years of experience in homeless services, residential services, or housing, with prior supervisory/management experience in homeless outreach, rapid rehousing, hypothermia prevention, or emergency shelter.
• Comfort engaging with unsheltered individuals in non-traditional settings (e.g., campsites, woods, parked cars).
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, including individuals with mental health and/or substance abuse disabilities.
• Knowledge and belief in “Housing First” and “Rapid Re-Housing” philosophies.
• Understanding of tenant rights, strengths-based case management, trauma-informed care, and racial equity.
• Lived experience of housing instability is a plus.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with others.
• Proficiency in using HMIS to maintain case records and facilitate data collection.
• Ability to manage workload, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends.
• Ability to lift items weighing 10-20 pounds.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and a good driving record. Ability to drive a 15-passenger van.

Work Environment

The Director of Street Outreach is based at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter. Participant meetings occur at the shelter, in non-traditional settings (e.g., campsites, woods), and other community locations frequented by unsheltered individuals. Travel to other Cornerstones’ sites and local/regional meetings is required. Some work is performed outdoors in varying weather conditions. Occasional driving of personal or agency vehicles and bike riding for outreach may be required.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged sitting at a desk and computer work.
• Regular in-person interaction with the public, clients, and stakeholders.
• Ability to handle objects, tools, or controls.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 15 pounds.
• Occasional navigation of stairs, ramps, or ladders.
• Low to moderate noise levels in the work environment.
• Ability to safely operate a company vehicle.