Community Outreach Officer

Description

Job Summary:

The Bilingual Community Outreach Officer (COO) drives Encore Bank’s outreach efforts in underserved communities, promotes financial literacy, and ensures compliance with CRA and HMDA goals. The COO is responsible for representing the bank within local communities, especially in Low-Moderate Income (LMI) and Majority-Minority Census Tracts (MMCT) and engaging in community development through outreach programs. This position requires fluency in English and Spanish to communicate effectively and build relationships within the community.

As part of the Community Outreach Team, the Community Outreach Officer will focus on increasing mortgage loan applications and originations, small business loans, and financial literacy initiatives in diverse communities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The duties listed below are some of the duties that may be assigned and may not include all responsibilities that the person in this role may be asked to perform. The incumbent may be required to perform other related duties as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job duties.

• Lead Encore Bank Pathways, a financial literacy initiative focused on topics like Your Money 101, Building a Solid Credit History, Power of Saving, and Road to Homeownership.
• Organize educational workshops that support first-time homebuyers and small business owners, especially in underserved communities.
• Focus on increasing mortgage applications in MMCTs and small business loans in LMI areas, while adhering to compliance standards.
• Coordinate and promote CRA-eligible volunteer activities such as financial literacy training and community development efforts.

• Build and maintain relationships with local nonprofits, community organizations, and government agencies focused on affordable housing, economic development, and financial education.
• Oversee CRA-eligible donations to community organizations and track spending within budget per market.
• Collaborate with commercial lending teams to identify community development opportunities in underserved areas.

• Maintain logs of daily outreach activities, track mortgage and small business loan pipelines, and document volunteer hours.
• Lead monthly Focus Market Meetings (FMMs) to review progress, identify opportunities, and strategize outreach efforts.
• Ensure accurate CRA and HMDA data tracking to report on market penetration and outreach effectiveness.

• Work closely with Market Presidents (MPs), Relationship Managers (RMs), Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs), and other business units to meet CRA goals.
• Participate in team meetings to discuss progress and align outreach efforts with the bank’s strategic goals.

Type and Scope of Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• None

Qualifications

Skills and Qualifications:

• Fluent in English and Spanish, able to communicate effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders.
• Experience in community outreach and relationship-building within underserved communities.
• Understanding financial education, particularly in underserved populations.
• Organizational & Analytical Skills: Strong ability to manage multiple initiatives, track progress, and analyze community needs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, capable of engaging with community members and internal teams.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite and data management tools for outreach and loan tracking.
• Ability to handle sensitive information professionally and maintain confidentiality.
• Generate new business in the mortgage loan area, assisting customers through the application process to loan closing.
• Conduct loan interviews with customers to gather information about completing loan applications and fulfilling compliance requirements.
• Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of mortgage loan products, including FHA, VA, and in-house products, ensuring suitability for borrowers based on their financial situation and property characteristics.
• Participate in outside sales events like open houses, networking events, and meetings with realtors to build prospects and strengthen community ties.

• Positive, dynamic leader with a strong ability to build relationships and network
• Strong organization, prioritization, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Team player with the ability to interact with all levels of staff in the organization.

Work Experience Required for this job:

• 3-5 years in community outreach, financial education, or related roles; experience in mortgage loan origination is preferred.

Education Required for this job:

• High School Diploma or Associate’s Degree; Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Attendance Requirements:

• Daily attendance is required during normal business working hours
• In-person attendance is preferred on a regular basis

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel:

• Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected

Physical Abilities Required for this Job:

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

• While performing the duties of this job this individual is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk, hear, use their hands and fingers (manual dexterity), use a telephone, and occasionally lift and /or move up to twenty-five pounds.

• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Abilities Required for this Job:

• The ability to solve problems, make decisions, supervise others, interpret data, organize information, written and oral communication and read/write.

Impact:

This position plays a key role in the success of Encore Bank’s community outreach programs, ensuring the bank meets CRA and HMDA benchmarks, promotes financial literacy, and strengthens relationships with underserved communities. The bilingual skills in English and Spanish are essential in maximizing engagement within diverse communities, ensuring broader access to the bank’s services and fostering a more significant impact in the regions served.

NOTE: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) of this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee(s) will possess the skills aptitudes and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an at will relationship.

Encore Bank is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical​​​ condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or ​expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.