What are the responsibilities and job description for the Homeless Services Navigator position at City of Elk Grove?
The City of Elk Grove’s Community Development Department is looking for a Homeless Outreach Navigator to join the Housing and Public Services Division! The position will work closely with Housing staff, the Police Department Homeless Outreach Team, community stakeholders, and many nonprofit social service providers to help people experiencing homelessness access shelter, services, and housing. The Homeless Outreach Navigator must have a deep sense of compassion and understanding for people experiencing homelessness and marginalized individuals. The position will be responsible for building relationships and trust with people experiencing homelessness and providing direct assistance to help them obtain shelter and services, including by transporting people to appointments, completing housing applications, and conducting eligibility assessments for various services. The City focuses on offering trauma-informed and person-centered care, proactively connecting with people one-on-one at the locations where they are staying. The ideal candidate will have training in motivational interviewing, experience working with homeless clients, including those living in encampments and those with mental health and substance use challenges, and will be an effective communicator with businesses and residents.
Tentative Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)
Filing Deadline: September 1, 2025, by 11:59 pm
Oral Board Interviews: September 16, 2025 (virtual)
Selection Interviews: September 18, 2025 (in person)
The City offers a competitive salary and generous benefit package including CalPERS retirement benefits, a deferred compensation match and more.
Why work for the City of Elk Grove? Proud Heritage. Bright Future.
Community Profile
Elk Grove is a vibrant, family-friendly community of approximately 182,842 people in the Sacramento, California region, located 14 miles south of the State Capital and 60 miles east of the Bay Area. Elk Grove is a young, ethnically diverse, modern city that was incorporated in 2000. Elk Grove has low crime, excellent schools, over 100 community parks and 28 miles of trails, plentiful dining and shopping options, numerous annual events and festivals, and over 270 sunny days per year.
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, guides and assists individuals experiencing homelessness in gaining access to support services and resources; establishes collaborative partnerships with homeless services providers, law enforcement, and other City, County and social service organizations; identifies individuals in need of support services and interacts and engages with them to build rapport and trust; maintains an inventory of social service resources available within the City of Elk Grove to refer clients to; and performs related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from the Housing and Public Service Manager. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This journey level classification is responsible for independently providing support to programs and activities designed to assist the homeless or unhoused community of Elk Grove to access resources and services. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Proactively identifies, interacts, and engages with homeless individuals on the streets, in shelters, vehicles, encampments, and in other areas where such individuals might congregate within the City of Elk Grove with the goal of building rapport and trustful relationships.
Assesses client needs and characteristics; prioritizes the allocation of resources and housing placement regionally based on factors such as individual or household needs, availability of resources, assessed vulnerability, and priorities of various programs.
Serves as an advocate for homeless individuals in securing social services, identification documents, mainstream benefits, medical care, shelter resources and housing opportunities; provides support to clients in securing and following through on obtaining and utilizing available services; provides case management services as needed.
Assists with plans for homeless individuals to obtain educational, psychological, or social assessments, substance abuse treatment, work skills training, and/or relevant workshops provided by other entities.
Maintains an up-to-date inventory of the resources available within the City of Elk Grove to prevent and respond to homelessness, including resources operating within the City, as well as regional resources and strategies that serve people within the City.
Provides non-medical, voluntary transportation to unsheltered individuals and their property in order to connect them with the appropriate community resources.
Serves as liaison with social service providers and community groups; promotes City involvement among community-based organizations and businesses and makes recommendations related to community collaborations and program enhancements.
Facilitates meetings with service providers and community groups to coordinate services within the jurisdiction, identify needs and priorities for new or expanded services, and other items pertinent to assisting with management of the City’s response to homelessness.
Assists in identifying the needs of homeless persons and implementing new and/or modified programs that would promote and enhance the mission, goals, and objectives of the City to serve people who are unhoused.
Participates in the administration of point-in-time counts and surveys in collaboration with local and regional agencies to obtain an accurate count of people experiencing homelessness in the region.
Documents all client contacts and outcomes in the City’s database, the region's Homeless Information and Management System (HIMS), and other systems as needed.
Provides periodic updates to management on the status of clients and the City’s homelessness response efforts.
Composes, proofreads, and processes a variety of documents including letters, memoranda, and general correspondence.
Maintains accurate and detailed records and files; updates informationand performs data entry; maintains documentation for case management activities.
Maintains confidentiality regarding clients, personnel, and other internal agency affairs.
Attends and participates in assigned programs and external meetings and trainings.
Performs related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Public and private social services programs, services, and resources.
National, state, and local issues affecting the community and specifically the homeless population.
Interviewing techniques and advocacy ethics and principles.
Methods and techniques of effectively presenting technical information that is easily understood by audiences of diverse educational and socioeconomical backgrounds.
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances relevant to the area(s) of responsibility.
Case management techniques.
Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned division.
Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging concepts and principles, including their significance in organizational dynamics and functioning of the City and their impact on fostering innovation and collaboration.
The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Current equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
Ability to:
Identify socioeconomic and financial needs of residents, identify services to help meet those needs, and establish related goals.
Deal objectively and effectively with residents having diverse socioeconomic and educational backgrounds and promote their educational and socioeconomic advancement.
Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills related to case management, program implementation, and collaboration.
Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
Engage with a diverse public and workforce, facilitating inclusive service delivery, and implementing equitable city policies.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education and Experience:
Completion of twelfth (12th) grade and two (2) years of responsible experience in performing community outreach and casework, working with the homeless and related community service organizations, or social work.
Licenses and Certifications:
Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license. This requirement may be waived for individuals who are unable to obtain a driver’s license due to a disability.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
When assigned to an office environment:
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities who are qualified to perform essential functions of a position or positions within this classification.
When working in the field:
Must possess mobility to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, and grasp; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities who are qualified to perform essential functions of a position or positions within this classification.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees predominantly work in the community and may be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, and hazardous chemical substances and fumes. Employees interact with members of the public or with staff under emotionally stressful conditions while interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. When working in an office environment, employees experience moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Employees may be expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings, and holidays as required.
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
The information listed above is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. The City of Elk Grove is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department at (916) 478-2230.
Salary : $59,255 - $79,421
