Step Program Outreach Coordinator

The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia is, “a place with a heart”, our mission is to feed the hungry, house the homeless, and prevent homelessness.

The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia employs compassionate, skilled professionals who are committed to excellence, enjoy teamwork and contribute daily to our mission and culture of caring. Team members experience a friendly, supportive atmosphere, leadership support, autonomy, flexibility and the privilege of doing meaningful, rewarding work.

Job Purpose:

The Step Program Outreach Coordinator will proactively recruit and engage unhoused adult individuals with a history of substance abuse for a grant-funded affordable housing program, acting as a key liaison with community partners and providing essential program support and resource referrals.

The ideal candidate for this role will be highly compassionate, resourceful, and possess strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively engage with vulnerable individuals and diverse community partners; they must be organized and detail-oriented to manage program promotion, referrals, and record-keeping, while also demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to maintaining professional boundaries in a demanding environment focused on serving individuals experiencing homelessness and substance abuse.

The program has obtained secure funding through March 2027; potential for extensions will be discussed in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Program Promotion and Recruitment
  • Lead the recruitment of residents for a grant-funded affordable housing program for unhoused adult individuals with a history of substance abuse.
  • Collaborate with regional partners, including hospitals, community mental health services, not-for-profit, government, and justice system agencies, to receive individual referrals for prospective future program participants.
  • Respond to calls for assistance from first responders, business owners, community residents, and partner staff to meet with prospective participants and refer to resources, including emergency services when appropriate.
  • Develop and maintain a resource guide specific to substance abuse, addiction, recovery, and mental health resources to distribute to prospective participants.
  • Professionally represent the NHCWV at community events, fairs, presentations, speaking engagements, and other networking events to distribute program information.
  • Maintain a flexible schedule to meet with prospective participants and community partners outside of traditional business hours.
• Program Support
  • Participate in required employee meetings and training, including, but not limited to weekly team check-ins with the Program Director and Program Coordinator; monthly agency wide All Staff meetings; annual Department of Children and Families modules; other ongoing training as assigned.
  • Operate the house phone, providing information about the program intake process, monitoring messages, and diverting callers to the appropriate agency department as needed.

  • Utilize a company vehicle for travel to partner agencies when needed, and to assist in transporting residents to medical appointments, job interviews, and recovery meetings.

  • Provide additional support as delegated by the Program Director.

• Record-Keeping and Communication
  • Participate in regular open communication with team-members, including the Program Director, Program Coordinator, and Chief Operating Officer, to ensure common understanding of available program capacity and qualified prospective residents.
  • Clearly document all client services and interactions, including referrals to other agencies, support groups, life skills classes, house meetings, etc., in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database.
  • Collect the contact information, demographic information, and brief histories of prospective program participants, in order to document appropriateness for the program.
  • Communicate notable events in an employee shift log and escalate emergency alerts to the appropriate first responders and Program Director.
  • Uphold the agency’s confidentiality policies and abide by all local, state, and federal laws with regard to privacy protection and record-keeping.

Qualifications, Experience, and Abilities:

• Education:
  • Minimum required: High School Diploma
  • Associate's degree in social services field preferred.
• Required Experience:
  • Minimum two years of experience within supportive services, healthcare, substance abuse treatment, housing services, or related fields within last five years.
  • Support of clients with multiple barriers to income and housing stability.
  • Housing program planning, executing, and evaluating performance for federal, state, and locally funded projects.
  • Knowledge in contract/grant operations, reporting, and compliance.

Qualifications:

• Must pass Florida Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) Level II background check.
• Must pass initial and subsequent random / periodic drug screen.
• Must possess valid state driver’s license and submit a Motor Vehicle Record within 14 days of start date.
  • No more than two moving violations and / or accidents within last three years.
  • No more than three vehicle related suspensions / reinstatements.
  • No DUI, reckless, or felony driving convictions within last five years.
• Specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities:
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams).
  • Prior use of Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) database.
  • Knowledge of community resources in the Volusia County area.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

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

• Physical demands: sitting, walking, lifting up to 30 pounds independently, reaching, carrying, speaking, listening
• Work environment: an environment of high stress and fast pace of crisis intervention. Protocol for safety and security is a priority. Use of phones, in person assistance, computer, fax and other general office machinery

General Job Performance Evaluation Standards:

• Understand and follow all agency policies and procedures as directed by personnel manual and Chief Operating Officer’s guidance.
• Perform all duties listed in job description.
• Maintain strict client and staff confidentiality at all times.
• Represent the agency in a professional manner consistent with the Neighborhood Center’s mission and vision.
• Attend meetings as required, including: monthly All Staff, any necessary emergency meetings, and staff training. Participate in staff development activities.
• Provide supervision, support, and a safe environment to staff and clients.
• Complete assigned tasks in timely manner.

The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.