Homeless Services Specialist I - Transitions Day Support Specialist

Job Posting End Date:

September 10, 2026

Department:

HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION

Compensation Grade:

G22

Compensation Range & Starting Salary:

Pay Range: $49,504.00 - $77,147.20
Starting salary - Minimum of the Pay Range.

Job Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime):

No

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

About Us:

Recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024, the City of Virginia Beach is proud to offer a diverse and dynamic work environment. Our workforce plays a crucial role in delivering exceptional government services to both our citizens and fellow City employees. Apply now to join an organization where you truly make a difference.

Job Duties and Preferred Qualifications:

Make a Meaningful Impact as a Transitions Day Support Specialist

Join our dedicated team supporting individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness through the Transitions Day Support Program. As a Transitions Day Support Specialist, you will help provide essential daily services, build trusting relationships, and support participants as they work toward stability and housing. This role is vital to ensuring individuals have access to hygiene services, basic needs, and housing‑focused case management that helps them move from homelessness into safe, stable housing.

You will serve as a consistent, compassionate presence for participants, offering encouragement, supportive services, and connections to the resources they need to achieve their goals.

What You’ll Do

• Provide assistance with hygiene items, showers, and clothing needs
• Conduct intakes and vulnerability assessments to identify participant needs
• Build rapport through face‑to‑face engagement and supportive conversations
• Assist with stability planning, crisis mitigation, and ongoing service coordination
• Advocate for participants to ensure barriers are addressed and their voices are heard
• Complete documentation in the Homeless Management Information System(HMIS)
• Use the SPDAT assessment tool to prioritize services
• Connect participants to essential resources, including medical, mental health, substance use treatment, benefits, and housing services
• Provide transportation and drive a City vehicle to help clients access appointments and obtain necessary documents
• Work non‑traditional hours, including weekends or occasional nighttime shifts, to best meet participant needs

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Has a heart for service and a genuine desire to support individuals experiencing homelessness
• Builds trust quickly and approaches every interaction with empathy, dignity, and respect
• Stays calm under pressure and is skilled in de‑escalation during moments of crisis
• Works well with individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences
• Has strong communication and active listening skills
• Enjoys teamwork but is also confident working independently in a fast‑paced environment
• Is adaptable, patient, and persistent in meeting participants where they are
• Is organized, detail‑oriented, and comfortable documenting interactions and assessments
• Has a commitment to trauma‑informed, client‑centered practices
• Must have a valid driver's license and be able to drive a City vehicle

Why Join Us?
The City of Virginia Beach offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Health, dental, and life insurance
• Retirement and savings plans
• Parental leave
• Paid holidays
• Annual and sick leave
• Opportunities for training, growth, and advancement

Preferences:

• Experience working in a shelter, outreach, day services, or similar environment serving vulnerable populations
• Knowledge of trauma‑informed care and experience building rapport with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health challenges, or substance use disorders
• Experience conducting needs assessments and determining eligibility for federal, state, or local programs
• Experience working with diverse populations, including individuals/families experiencing homelessness, various racial/ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, youth, older adults, and people with disabilities
• Case management or support services experience
• Experience managing crisis situations and de‑escalating challenging behaviors
• Demonstrated ability to connect individuals to appropriate community resources and support systems

Additional requirements:
• DMV Transcript: Yes
• CDL: No
• Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: No
• CPS Check: No
• Physical: No
• Respirator: No
• Psychological Screening: No
• Polygraph: No
• At Will: No

Minimum Requirements:

Special Requirements: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Work hours and work locations may be adjusted to meet client, city or community needs and situations, including some weekends, some evenings, work from home, alternating days in the office, and office sharing.

Skills:

Working Conditions:

Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business.

The Working Conditions Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in the noted job profile. Please copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to view the Working Conditions Summary for this position.
https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/P15720.pdf

Official Job Descriptions:

To browse official job descriptions, please access this link - https://virginiabeach.gov/careers/job-descriptions-pay-plans?search=&group=E

VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law.