Job Summary

The Street Outreach Worker (Part-Time) for the City of Toronto is a frontline, community-based role within the Streets to Homes program. You are the “Mobile Bridge” between the street and stable housing, operating in parks, ravines, transit hubs, and sidewalks to engage with individuals experiencing homelessness. This role requires the “wit” to navigate complex social legislation and crisis intervention, and the “grit” to perform extensive physical outreach in all weather conditions, carrying gear to support Toronto’s most vulnerable residents.

Job Details

Employer: City of Toronto (Toronto Shelter & Support Services).
Location: 51 Lisgar Street (Streets to Homes Office), Toronto, ON.
Hourly Rate: $36.35 – $39.69.
Position Type: Part-Time, Ongoing (20 positions open).
Affiliation: L79 Unit B PT (Unionized).
Shift Work: On an “as-required” basis, including days, afternoons, overnights, and weekends.

Core Responsibilities

Proactive Engagement: Conduct intake and assessment interviews in diverse public locations, including sidewalks, public squares, and ravines.
Case Initiation: Verify client eligibility for the Streets to Homes program by assessing functional, income, and housing status.
Crisis Intervention: Respond to emergencies and conflict situations on the street, implementing short-term solutions and de-escalation techniques.
Client Advocacy: Navigate internal and external resources to secure benefits, medical appointments, and housing placements for clients.
Documentation: Maintain accurate, up-to-date case files and shift logs, ensuring all data is entered into mobile and office-based systems.
Liaison Work: Collaborate with hospitals, courts, shelters, and legal programs to coordinate holistic care and placements.
Physical Support: Accompany clients to essential appointments and carry a backpack with outreach gear to provide immediate support.

Key Qualifications

Education: Degree or Diploma in Social Services or a related field (or equivalent experience).
Experience: Proven track record addressing the needs of homeless populations, specifically in obtaining identification, social assistance, and health services.
Technical Wit: Working knowledge of the Ontario Works Act, Mental Health Act, and Residential Tenancies Act.
Operational Grit: Ability to perform extensive walking and outdoor work in all weather conditions while carrying equipment.
Licensing: Must possess a valid Ontario Class “G” Driver’s License and be able to obtain City equipment permits.
Cultural Competency: Lived experience as an Indigenous person or experience working with Indigenous communities is highly valued.

Technical Insights: The Outreach “Safety Net”

Street outreach is a specialized field that combines clinical assessment with urban navigation.

Harm Reduction Philosophy: You will apply a non-judgmental approach to substance use, focusing on reducing the negative consequences of drug use rather than strictly requiring abstinence for service.
The “Streets to Homes” Model: This “Housing First” approach prioritizes getting individuals into permanent housing as quickly as possible, providing supportive services afterward rather than making housing contingent on “readiness.”
Situational Awareness: Outreach workers operate in “Dynamic Environments.” You will be trained in environmental risk assessment to ensure the safety of both yourself and the client in unmonitored public spaces.

Job Description

Do you believe that every resident of Toronto deserves a path to a safe home, regardless of where they are sleeping tonight? The City of Toronto is seeking Street Outreach Workers to join our Streets to Homes team. We aren’t just providing directions to a shelter; we are providing a lifeline to stability. If you have the “grit” to hike into a ravine in the rain to check on a neighbor and the “wit” to advocate for their rights through complex provincial legislation, you belong on our team.

In this role, you are a “Community Navigator.” You understand that building trust on the sidewalk is the first step toward a permanent roof. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Social Service,” ensuring that no one is left behind in our city’s parks or transit systems. We look for “Integrity-first” professionals who are empathetic, reliable, and ready to work in a client-focused, holistic fashion.

Joining the City of Toronto means joining a team of over 2,100 people dedicated to the well-being of our residents. We offer a competitive hourly wage, union representation, and the chance to make a direct, visible impact on our community. If you are a social service professional with a commitment to “Equity and Crisis Intervention,” we invite you to apply and help us build a more inclusive Toronto.

City of Toronto: Serving a Caring and Dynamic Metropolis

The City of Toronto’s culture is anchored by its motto, “Diversity Our Strength,” and a mission to serve a great city and its people. As an award-winning public service with over 40 divisions, the organization fosters an environment where employees are respected, empowered, and valued. The workplace emphasizes equity and inclusion, reflecting the multicultural communities it serves. Staff are encouraged to be innovative and customer-focused, making a tangible difference in residents’ lives through collaborative teamwork and a commitment to continuous growth and accountability.

Operations are centralized at the iconic Toronto City Hall (100 Queen Street West), a world-renowned landmark with its distinctive curved towers and circular Council Chamber. The City is currently executing its ModernTO program, a workplace modernization strategy consolidating 55 office buildings into 15 primary transit-oriented hubs. This initiative transforms traditional offices into vibrant, “future-fit” spaces that prioritize sustainability, employee well-being, and digital efficiency, ensuring the public service remains resilient and connected in the heart of Canada’s economic capital.

To apply for this job please visit jobs.toronto.ca.