Street Outreach Worker

Street Outreach Worker Position Description

Department: Community Outreach
Reports To: Program Director
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Location: Philadelphia, PA

Position Summary

The Street Outreach Worker serves as a frontline representative of Covenant House Pennsylvania by engaging young people experiencing homelessness, housing instability, exploitation, or other unsafe situations. Through trauma-informed, youth-centered outreach, this position establishes trusting relationships with youth, provides immediate crisis intervention and basic needs, and connects youth to safe shelter, supportive services, and long-term resources.

The Street Outreach Worker is committed to advancing CHPA's mission by meeting youth where they are, reducing barriers to services, and empowering them to move toward safety, stability, and independence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Street Outreach & Youth Engagement

Conduct regular street outreach in designated service areas to identify and engage youth experiencing homelessness or unsafe living conditions.

Build trusting, trauma-informed relationships with youth through consistent, respectful, and nonjudgmental interactions.

Assess immediate safety concerns and respond appropriately to youth in crisis.

Provide street-based services, including crisis intervention, emotional support, referrals, safety planning, transportation assistance, and distribution of food, hygiene supplies, blankets, clothing, and other basic necessities.

Encourage and facilitate youth access to emergency shelter, housing, medical care, behavioral health services, education, employment resources, and other supportive services.

Conduct initial screenings and assist with program enrollment when appropriate.

Program Operations

Maintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation, including:

Outreach logs

Progress notes

Initial assessments

Referral documentation

Grant-related reporting

Client database entries

Monthly activity reports

Participate in multidisciplinary case management meetings, case reviews, program planning sessions, and staff meetings.

Assist with the preparation of monthly, quarterly, annual, and grant-required reports.

Monitor outreach trends and communicate emerging community needs and service gaps to the Associate Program Director.

Participate in developing outreach strategies and identifying new community partnerships to improve services for youth.

Safety & Compliance

Follow all agency policies, procedures, and safety protocols while conducting outreach.

Maintain situational awareness to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers, and youth during outreach activities.

Wear required CHPA Outreach attire during all outreach events to ensure visibility and professional identification.

Operate agency vehicles safely and responsibly while maintaining cleanliness and reporting maintenance needs promptly.

Manage outreach supplies, petty cash, and program resources in accordance with agency financial policies and documentation requirements.

Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, agency policy, and applicable federal and state regulations.

Collaboration & Professionalism

Foster collaborative relationships with shelters, schools, healthcare providers, community organizations, law enforcement, and other service providers.

Represent Covenant House Pennsylvania professionally in the community.

Demonstrate cultural humility and provide services that are equitable, inclusive, and youth-centered.

Maintain flexibility to respond to changing program needs community priorities, emergency situations, and youth needs. Participate in required agency training, professional development opportunities, and supervision. Perform other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

Trauma-Informed Care

Youth Engagement & Relationship Building

Crisis Intervention & De-escalation

Communication Skills

Cultural Competency

Community Resource Navigation

Documentation & Recordkeeping

Time Management & Organization

Professional Judgment

Adaptability & Flexibility

Collaboration & Teamwork

Safety Awareness

Mission & Values Alignment