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El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO)

Outreach Case Manager

Job Title: Outreach Case Manager

Supervisor: Operations Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Location: ECHO, Atascadero

Hours: Full-time, Sunday-Thursday, 10:00am – 6:30pm

Rate: $22.00 - $28.00 / hour DOE + Bilingual Differential $0.50

Date: April 2026

Job Overview

The Outreach Case Manager is focused on housing chronically unhoused individuals through individual-focused outreach, engagement, and a collaboration of public and private organizations. The Outreach Case Manager is the key point of contact with clients and is responsible for developing strategies for engaging clients on the streets and developing a path to housing or shelter with the support of community partners. Much of the work, from initial outreach and engagement through housing, is performed with clients on the street. The outreach Case Manager will be a participating member of the Atascadero Our Team Program which closely partners with the Atascadero Police Department. The Outreach Case Manager must be an energetic self-starter, passionate about helping unhoused individuals, have excellent communication skills, be attentive to detail and relentless in driving towards outcomes.

The ideal candidate will be familiar and comfortable with unhoused individuals and street culture and will demonstrate an ability to establish trusting, hopeful relationships with these individuals. We are looking for someone who can work Sunday-Thursday, 10:00am – 6:30pm, with flexibility for nights and weekends.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Provide respectful engagement to adults with histories of chronic houselessness, serious psychiatric disabilities and co-occurring substance use disorders.

2. Provide outreach services in the North County region, including Atascadero, Cambria, Paso Robles, Shandon, and San Miguel.

3. Act as a member of the Atascadero OUR Team working collaboratively with members of Atascadero Police Department to increase engagement with members of the unhoused community in and around Atascadero. Participation in the OUR Team program will include 25 hours of this position’s weekly duties.

4. Conduct interviews with all clients for the Coordinated Entry Program, HMIS, and CenCal and input information into the data systems in a timely manner.

5. Work with other homeless services partners to develop strategies that help encourage unhoused individuals to take steps leading ultimately to housing.

6. Lead service coordination for street outreach clients including assuming primary responsibility for developing and implementing goals and plans for each client in collaboration with the client and the team, providing clients with support, guidance, and encouragement on their journey to supportive services, shelter, and/or housing.

7. Proactively engage clients on the street, trying out-of-the-box ways of reaching clients who have been living outside for many years and who may have significant trust, mental health, and substance use issues.

8. Act as liaison to and consult with homeless services partners and community agencies and programs to maintain coordination in the treatment process.

9. Help with paper work needed to place clients with vouchers into housing.

10. Document engagement and case notes for each client.

11. Help clients adjust to life in housing or shelter, including but not limited to engaging clients around goals and aspirations, life skills, hobbies, and other activities that may be needed during the adjustment to housing.

12. Work with the ECHO Case Management team to develop best practices that can be replicated with other clients.

13. Occasionally drive clients as needed to appointments, if not other transportation options are available.

14. Coordinate with outside inpatient services and establish linkage to outpatient treatment and self-help programs.

15. Collaborate with other departments, taking a team approach to client relationships and advocacy whenever appropriate.

16. Allocate resources to clients for various purposes. Each case is considered on its own merit and often includes such things as: Rental assistance, bus passes, gas vouchers, other direct aid resources.

17. Attend various client meetings: DSS, SSI, SSDI appointments, doctors' appointments and Section 8 orientation meetings when needed.

18. Assist clients in corresponding to various agencies and/or organizations via: Assist in completing forms, faxing related documents, emailing necessary documents and information and phone contacts.

19. Maintain an appointment calendar.

20. Annual performance outcomes related to housing placements and employment goals will be established and evaluated annually to ensure each Case Manager is meeting expected performance standards.

21. Has the ability to keep accessible, low-barrier services and a trauma-informed approach at the forefront of all client interactions, policies, and decisions.

22. Maintain a complete file for each client based on ECHO’s checklist provided and complete all paperwork in the timeframes set by ECHO.

23. Consistent and reliable attendance is essential in this role to ensure clients receive dependable, uninterrupted support and continuity of care.

24. Driving to meetings and events is a required duty for this position.

25. All other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills, Talents, & Abilities

Provide respectful engagement to adults with histories of chronic homelessness, serious psychiatric disabilities, and co-occurring substance use disorders.
Provide culturally competent support to a diverse population.
Use de-escalation skills & trauma informed care approach when issues arise.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact with all departments/levels of the organization and outside third parties in a highly professional manner.
Ability to work with diverse populations including those facing challenges in the areas of mental health, domestic violence, child welfare services, aging, trauma informed care, and low barrier shelters.
Adaptability is essential in this role, as the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of a homeless shelter environment requires flexibility, sound judgment, and the ability to respond effectively to changing client and operational needs.
Excellent time-management and organizational skills with the ability to work independently and take initiative.
Calm demeanor; Able to work under pressure; Able to respond to a crisis situation, health or safety issue and take appropriate and immediate action.
Able to maintain a high-level privacy and confidentiality of employees’, guests’ and clients’ information.
Knowledge of universal precautions and what constitutes a medical or situational emergency.
Understanding of mandated reporting laws.
Must be professional, flexible, friendly, and work as a team player.
Assume ownership for accomplishing assignments, requests and tasks.
Intermediate knowledge of Office Suite, including WORD, EXCEL, and PowerPoint.
Bilingual Spanish speaking is a plus. $0.50 bilingual pay differential is provided.

Education and/or Experience

College degree or high school diploma/GED, depending on experience.
Minimum of one years’ experience in health and human services.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must possess a valid California Driver’s License.
Must have a reliable vehicle, clean driving record, and proof of insurance.
Must be willing to travel throughout San Luis Obispo County.

ECHO's Cultural Norms

Greet all people with a smile and kindness.
Listen without judgement and consider matters from another's perspective.
Give everyone the chance to change and grow.
Treat one another with dignity and respect.
Be open to provide or receive feedback.
Resolve conflict in a timely and constructive way.
Willingness to be adaptable.

ECHO's Benefits Package

Health Insurance – 75% of cost covered by ECHO
Vision & Dental Insurance – 75% of cost covered by ECHO
403b Retirement Savings Plan with up to a 3% annual salary match for eligible employees
12 paid holidays per year
80 hours per year of vacation - accrual rate increases steadily with additional years of service
56 hours of paid sick time per year
3 Wellness Holidays per summer
Family friendly work environment

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully preform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While preforming the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finder, handle, or fee; reach with hands and arms; and talk to hear. The employee often is required to stand and walk, including stairs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as lifting balancing, walking, stooping and handling of materials.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Admin Offices are located upstairs, with only stairway access. Noise level varies from quiet office environment to very noisy shelter and dining hall. Variable work environment; work is conducted mostly indoors.

ECHO is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, marital status, age, or any other protected status covered by federal or state law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $22.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits: