Lived Experience Liaison

None.

Under general supervision of the assigned supervisor, this position is responsible for coordinating efforts to amplify the voices of individuals with lived experience within the policymaking process of the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care (FMCoC). The role focuses on building a trusting and effective feedback loop between individuals with lived experience and the homeless and housing services systems in Fresno and Madera counties. Supports people with lived experience of homelessness in leveraging their experiences to inform policy, provide recommendations for system improvements, and actively participate in FMCoC decisions making processes.

Assist in the fulfillment of the Agency’s vision, “A strong Fresno County where people have resources to shape their future free from poverty.”

Responsible for contributing lived experience insights within a collaborative team environment to support the development, guidance, and implementation of lived experience initiatives, and to establish effective mechanisms for integrating the perspectives of people with lived experience into policy and program design within the homeless services systems.

Finalize development, implement and maintain the FMCoC lived experience engagement plan.

Develop and implement an outreach strategy to engage youth at-risk or experiencing homelessness, with the goal of establishing a Youth Action Board (YAB) for FMCoC and incorporating youth perspectives into the CoC’s youth homelessness initiatives and projects.

Responsible for administrative tasks such as sending emails, answering phone calls, scheduling meetings, sending event reminders, maintaining records, and providing in-person meeting support while ensuring accessibility.

Process time sheets, request and deliver stipend payments, and troubleshoot any payment related issues.

Support engagement activities by administering surveys, coordinating focus groups, developing an application for lived experience engagement with CoC, and review incoming applications.

Initiate and facilitate outreach to people with lived experience to encourage and support their continued involvement in CoC committees, funding panels and related initiatives.

Work collaboratively with the CoC to ensure a lived experience review is obtained for all matters requested by the CoC and its members.

Lead proposed updates to the CoC Governance Frameworks around lived experience participation in the CoC.

Ensure those participating in the CoC’s lived experience integration plan sign and abide by the CoC’s Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policy, along with any other relevant CoC Governance.

Assist with development and proposal of annual lived experience budget to CoC.

Make recommendations to the CoC about how to further include and support people with lived experience to get involved in the CoC and to continuously improve the CoC’s lived experience integration plan.

Provide conflict resolution and emotional support, as needed, to lived experience members.

Supports lived experience participation in the CoC initiatives and projects (i.e. Point-in-Time Count, standing committees, workgroups, policy and procedure reviews).

Connect participants to other lived experience professional development opportunities, training and resources.

Actively seek and cultivate relationships with lived experience groups and networks within Fresno and Madera Counties.

Coordinate and support potential conference attendance for people with lived experience supporting the CoC (registration, travel logistics, knowledge-sharing upon return, etc.).

Oversee the CoC’s Appeals, Complaints, and Grievance processes, including training agencies and people with lived experience on the policies and provide peer support for these policies.

Assist people with lived experience in creating trainings for the CoC.

Assist people with lived experience in responding to grant application reviews for CoC-lead applications for funding.

Schedule and assist people with lived experience to review funding applications as Review Panel Members.

Represent the FMCoC and any future FMCoC YAB in all interactions with relevant stakeholders, jurisdictions, CoC members, etc. and follow the CoC Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policy.

Coordinate transportation needs for lived experience representatives for in-person meetings.

Travels for agency business using reliable transportation.

Maintains regular attendance and punctuality.

Works evenings and weekends as required.

Performs other duties as assigned.

To execute this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION:

High school diploma or GED.

Associate’s Degree in Social Services or Human Services, preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

Lived experience of homelessness (includes fleeing as a result of domestic violence, dating violence, and/or sexual assault) is preferred.

Past or current experience creating and/or serving on Boards is preferred.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and related business software.

Effective presentation, written and verbal communication skills.

Willing to work non-traditional hours and days to meet the needs of this position.

Ability to work well with individuals ranging from youth to elderly who have experienced homelessness and with service providers and representatives of partnering agencies.

Knowledge of public policies affecting vulnerable populations, affordable and supportive housing.

Organizational and coordination skills to meet deadlines and manage priorities.

Pass required background check.

Maintain a valid California driver’s license, reliable transportation, adequate auto insurance as required by State law, and insurability by agency carrier for those driving agency vehicles.

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed, but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Also, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of Fresno EOC.

NEW 04/17/2025