Santa Cruz Community Outreach and Engagement Specialist

Community Outreach and Engagement Specialist

Santa Cruz County, CA

About Miracle Messages:

At Miracle Messages, we believe that no one should go through homelessness alone, and no one should feel helpless on this issue. We are an award-winning nonprofit organization that helps people experiencing homelessness rebuild their social support systems and financial security, primarily through family reunifications, a phone buddy program, and direct cash transfers, including one of the first basic income pilots for unhoused individuals in the U.S.

About the Role:

We’re seeking a motivated, detail-oriented Community Outreach and Engagement Specialist to mobilize volunteers, build and deepen partnerships, and provide outreach to unhoused neighbors in Santa Cruz County. This position will play a crucial role in establishing a robust volunteer community to support our organization’s mission in the local area and beyond.

Responsibilities:

● Mobilize volunteers: Cultivate a thriving volunteer base by partnering with local agencies, colleges and universities, and community groups, laying the foundation for and launching an active and durable Santa Cruz chapter of Miracle Messages.

● Foster partnerships: Closely collaborate with nonprofits, County of Santa Cruz, Connectors, civic groups, and religious organizations to expand program reach and impact, provide training and materials, ensure successful enrollment and ongoing follow-ups, and share progress reports. Engage in creative problem solving and discuss process improvements with key stakeholders as needed.

● Engage unhoused neighbors: Work alongside direct service staff at partner sites, volunteers, and/or a local Miracle Messages Ambassador with lived experience to enroll clients in our programs including family reunification services and our phone buddy system.

● Strengthen relationships: Represent Miracle Messages at events, lead stakeholder meetings, and capture and share powerful storytelling opportunities with our Communications team.

● Refine our programs: Pilot creative solutions, participate in quality improvement efforts, and ensure accurate and consistent data entry into the HMIS database.

● All other duties as assigned: Due to the changing nature of our growing organization, duties occasionally change to meet the needs of our population. It’s our intent to serve as many people as possible, and flexibility is required as we learn and improve.

Qualifications:

● Experience: Proven track record of success in community engagement, partnership development, program coordination, and/or homeless outreach, ideally in a nonprofit or social service setting in Santa Cruz County.

● Skills: Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, with proven ability to manage multiple tasks, solve problems effectively, and implement community programs focused on outreach, engagement, and measurable impact. Demonstrated talent for building connections with individuals from diverse backgrounds and collaborating with external stakeholders.

● Attributes: Passion for social impact, a collaborative mindset, and a commitment to supporting our unhoused neighbors. Ability to work and thrive as a remote employee.

● Travel: Reliable transportation for in-person work across Santa Cruz is required.

● Language: Spanish fluency is preferred.

Compensation:

● Salary: $80,000 - $95,000

● Benefits: Health, dental, life insurance, 401K match, transportation allowance, home office and tech stipend, generous paid vacation and sick time, flexible schedule.

● Opportunities: A dynamic team with opportunities to develop, innovate, and grow.

How to Apply:

If you’re ready to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors experiencing homelessness, and are excited at the prospect of joining a talented, committed team of kind-hearted people, we want to hear from you! Submit your resume, a cover letter detailing your motivation and relevant experience, and a link to your LinkedIn profile (optional) to careers@miraclemessages.