Case Manager I – Street Outreach

Mission of Austin Street Center: Founded in 1983, Austin Street Center provides emergency shelter and meets the basic needs of the most vulnerable people experiencing homelessness in Dallas.

Core Values: Kindness, Trustworthiness, Empowerment, Determination

Position Purpose

Austin Street Center’s vision is to end homelessness in our area by every means possible.  Our emergency shelter program assists thousands of people per year, but many more remain living in unsheltered locations under bridges, on sidewalks, in parks, in vehicles, and other places not meant to be lived in.  The Street Outreach case manager will engage people living unsheltered in the immediate vicinity of Austin Street and also play a critical role in engaging small, medium, and large encampments throughout Dallas and Collin County, in coordination with a community-wide Street Outreach Workgroup.

We are looking for a street-smart, trustworthy, and gritty people person who can build rapport and connect with people living in some of the harshest conditions in Dallas.  This person will engage clients in crisis intervention, rapid exit protocols (diversion), shelter referral and connection, and ultimately help people on the streets to be re-housed as fast and forever as possible.

Primary Responsibilities

• Engage clients near Austin Street and other assigned clients with case management services
• Crisis intervention, diversion, shelter referral and connection, and housing coordination
• Document services in the community HMIS system
• Liaise with community Street Outreach Workgroup and distribute engagement responsibilities within the street outreach team

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s Degree in social work or other human services field (psychology or sociology preferred) or equivalent experience in human services
• Valid Texas Driver’s License
• Ability to lift 25-40 pounds. Tasks may involve bending, lifting, and carrying heavy items.
• Excellent customer service skills, especially when working with “difficult” customers
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to innovate and embrace best practices in shelter and housing services delivery
• Ability to adapt to change
• Ability to communicate clearly with outside providers and partners, especially health care providers

Additional Experience a Plus:

• Bilingual in Spanish
• Lived experience with homelessness and/or recovery
• Training in Housing First, Motivational Interviewing, the Transtheoretical Model of Change, Harm Reduction, and/or Trauma-Informed Care
• Master’s Degree and/or licensure in human services field, especially in social work
• U.S. Military service

Qualified individuals, please send a resume to resume@austinstreet.org.

Strong applications will include a cover letter which details how the applicant demonstrates the character qualities required for excellent performance in this position.