Position Title: SOS-CTI Street Outreach Specialist

Location: On-site

Job Type: Full-time

Salary Range: $45,000.00 - $48,000.00 per year

Reports to: SOS-CTI Supervisor/Social Worker

Employment Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM; includes required weekend and holiday coverage based on program needs.

About Us: The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless (LICH) is dedicated to addressing homelessness on Long Island by collaborating with non-profits, government agencies, and community partners. As a leading advocate and service provider, we work to support individuals and families experiencing homelessness through a range of programs and initiatives. Our efforts include direct assistance, outreach, resource distribution, and emergency support. Additionally, we focus on advocacy and systemic change to expand access to vital services and housing solutions, striving to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring. For more information about us please visit our website at www.addressthehomeless.org.

Program Description: The Safe Options Support (SOS) Program at the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless (LICH) provides comprehensive, housing-focused support to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness across Long Island. Rooted in the Critical Time Intervention (CTI) model—an evidence-based, time-limited approach—the program helps participants navigate critical life transitions by promoting stability, community integration, and long-term housing retention. Through intensive case management and person-centered engagement, the SOS program supports individuals and families as they transition from homelessness to permanent housing. Services are trauma-informed and recovery-oriented, emphasizing empowerment, harm reduction, and collaboration. The SOS team works in close partnership with community organizations, shelters, hospitals, and government agencies to coordinate resources and ensure continuity of care across Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Position Summary: Responsible for providing housing-focused street outreach and case management prioritized for single adults experiencing long-term homelessness either living on the street or living in shelter and with a history and/or risk of street homelessness. Street Outreach Specialists in this program will be assigned individuals to become eligible for permanent housing programs within nine to twelve months of program involvement, on average. Staff in this position will be part of an intensive and multi-disciplinary team, consisting of Street Outreach Specialists, Senior Case Manager, Peer Counselors, Licensed supervisors, and a Team Leader/Program Coordinator, and are expected to respond to referral sources and conduct intakes within 24-48 hours of referral. Street Outreach Specialists must be highly mobile and will have access to an agency van to provide transportation for program participants. This program operates throughout all of Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Engagements focus around direct and person-centered support in obtaining necessary documentation/applying for various housing programs, as well as connecting households to other services that relate to housing placement and housing retention and health and safety, such as employment, entitlements/benefits, medical/clinical services, linkages to care coordination, budgeting and credit, legal, and other services for which they are eligible and interested in. This program will rely heavily on the use of Critical Time Intervention approach in serving program participants and coordinate directly with other community partners such as other street outreach, hospitals, Department of Social services, mental health providers, and others. This position emphasizes evidence-based, trauma-informed, and person-centered support that empowers individuals to move from homelessness to stability through safe and sustainable housing solutions.

Street Outreach Specialists will work as a supervised/guided team of direct care workers, comprised of staff focused on street outreach and shelter in-reach. This team collectively provides referrals for permanent housing programs (permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing), including programs funded through HUD, NYS Office of Mental Health, nursing home programs, housing choice voucher programs, and other housing that meets each household’s needs and preferences.

Key Responsibilities include the following:

• Provide consistent, housing-focused street outreach and ongoing follow-up to program participants, prioritizing engagement, stabilization, and progress toward permanent housing.
• Accurately document all client interactions, services, and outcomes in the HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) and other required databases in a timely and compliant manner.
• Ensure the completion, submission, and tracking of housing applications and required documentation in accordance with program and funder guidelines.
• Connect participants to appropriate services and resources that directly support housing placement, housing retention, and overall health and safety, based on individual needs and preferences.
• Collaborate with team members and community partners to connect clients with services such as healthcare, employment support, and legal or financial assistance.
• Provide transportation to program participants as necessary to support access to housing opportunities, appointments, and essential services.
• Assist with the coordination of housing intakes, move-ins, and transition support to promote successful placement and stability.
• Conduct phone screenings and assessments to support eligibility determination and referral follow-up.
• Participate in ongoing required training, including both in-person and online learning opportunities, to maintain compliance and strengthen professional practice.
• Actively participate in weekly case conferencing and team meetings to support coordinated service delivery and shared problem-solving.
• Engage in weekly case review and supervision sessions to ensure accountability, quality service provision, and professional development.

Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time to meet the evolving needs of the program and agency.

Qualifications & Experience: Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with two years of relevant experience (internships or volunteer experience acceptable), or a Bachelor’s degree in a related human services field, or a minimum of three years of related experience in the human services field. Strong organizational skills and effective verbal and written communication skills are required. Candidates should have working knowledge of computer database applications, including Foothold AWARDS (preferred), Access, and other client/customer database systems, or demonstrate the ability to learn new systems quickly. A clean driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle are required for this position. Lived experience of homelessness is preferred.

Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to the organization’s mission and goals, be self-motivated, and able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team with individuals from diverse backgrounds and personalities. Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Experience or knowledge in trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing is preferred.

Work Location & Schedule: This is a full-time, highly mobile position primarily based out of the Amityville office, with daily field-based work throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The Street Outreach Specialist is expected to engage in community canvassing, street outreach, and travel to shelters, hospitals, encampments, and other community locations. A clean, valid driver’s license is required, as staff must be eligible to operate agency vehicles and meet agency vehicle insurance requirements. This role requires the ability to stand, walk, and remain outdoors for extended periods, including in varying weather conditions, and to transport program participants as needed. This is not a traditional office-based position. This position may involve occasional light lifting of items weighing up to approximately 20–25 pounds. Lifting is incidental and not a primary function of the role.

The SOS-CTI program operates seven (7) days per week, including holidays, to ensure continuous outreach and support. This position is assigned a regular schedule of Sunday through Thursday, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and requires flexibility to support weekend and holiday coverage based on program needs. While the role is primarily field based, there is limited flexibility to complete documentation, case notes, or administrative tasks remotely when appropriate, such as finishing the workday from home when working in the field and closer to one’s residence. Any remote or hybrid work is not guaranteed, requires supervisor approval, and is subject to change based on program needs, performance, and operational considerations.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $48,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person