UCT Outreach Counselor (Counselor - BU)

About the role

The Unified Care Team (UCT) provides a coordinated, neighborhood‑based approach to addressing homeless encampments across Seattle. The team focuses on connecting individuals experiencing homelessness with services that support their transition indoors, while also ensuring public spaces remain clean, open, and accessible to all. The Human Services Department (HSD) is hiring an Outreach Counselor to support the UCT’s daily operations, delivering direct services and maintaining a consistent presence within an assigned Seattle council district.

Responsibilities

• Conduct individualized needs assessments for people residing in encampments within the assigned district.
• Develop service plans, match individuals with appropriate resources, and assist with referrals.
• Provide support to individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, behavioral health issues, co‑occurring disorders, and other medical conditions.
• Navigate the homelessness system and inform clients about available resources.
• Deliver motivational interviewing, de‑escalation, and crisis intervention.
• Collaborate with community‑based contracted partners to ensure appropriate levels of care.
• Utilize interpretation services as needed.
• Maintain clear and concise case notes on all engagements.
• Evaluate individuals and refer them to emergency shelter, long‑term case management, culturally specific, population‑specific, health, and legal services.
• Arrange transportation for individuals to access services.
• Work with the Unified Care Team to provide outreach before and during encampment closures, offering alternative shelter resources.
• Enter person‑level and site‑specific data accurately and promptly in multiple data platforms.
• Serve as a member of an inter‑departmental, multidisciplinary neighborhood team.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:
  • Three years of social services experience involving interviewing, counseling, or crisis intervention, preferably in unsheltered homelessness service delivery.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Psychology, or a related field, OR equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
  • Current Washington State driver’s license.
• Desired Qualifications:
  • Strong understanding of race and social‑justice principles and the impacts of systemic racism and oppression on communities served by HSD.
  • Experience providing outreach to individuals in encampments.
  • Experience navigating Seattle’s homeless services system.
  • Two or more years of direct service experience with individuals experiencing homelessness.
  • Bilingual or multilingual abilities are a plus.
  • Understanding of the Unified Care Team and MDAR‑1701.
  • Experience tracking and recording health and human‑services data.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and long‑term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $43.37 – $50.42 per hour.

Schedule

Work hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., either Tuesday–Saturday or Sunday–Thursday. This is a fully in‑person position with no remote or hybrid flexibility.

Additional Information

Position classification: Counselor – BU (98856).