What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Outreach Specialist position at The Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida?
POSITION: Community Outreach Specialist
REPORTS TO: Community Outreach Program Manager
STATUS: Full Time – Hourly Non-Exempt
Overview:
The Community Outreach Specialist will identify and build rapport with homeless families in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole county area. Will assist clients in breaking the cycle of homelessness by moving from accessing to linking to necessary social services, and rapidly obtaining permanent housing. Will provide individualized support throughout by developing a service plan to address barriers, increase personal income, and offer a better place to stay until the permanent housing goal is achieved.
REPORTS TO: Community Outreach Program Manager
STATUS: Full Time – Hourly Non-Exempt
Overview:
The Community Outreach Specialist will identify and build rapport with homeless families in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole county area. Will assist clients in breaking the cycle of homelessness by moving from accessing to linking to necessary social services, and rapidly obtaining permanent housing. Will provide individualized support throughout by developing a service plan to address barriers, increase personal income, and offer a better place to stay until the permanent housing goal is achieved.
Under the supervision of the Community Outreach Program Manager, the Community Outreach Specialist will design a plan to identify areas in which families need assistance to accomplish outlined goals and objectives. The Community Outreach Specialist is an integral member of the Coalition Housing Team and works collaboratively with all aspects of community programs, representatives from Housing Programs and local Continuum of Care (CoC), and representatives of other nonprofit agencies and the faith community. All Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida employees should demonstrate our organizational values and sensitivity to the diversity of the organization’s client base.
This position requires multi-tasking, coordination with community partners, and some direct participant services. Housing First and Trauma-Informed Care training is a plus. Exhibit patience and understanding when dealing with guests, as many have been through a recent trauma. This full-time position requires 40 hours per week, with occasional additional hours, including some weekends and evenings. Work typically occurs Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct community outreach via van 3-5 days a week.
- Perform program enrollment for new families during initial community impact visits.
- Provide information, referrals, advocacy, and supportive services in a nonjudgmental manner.
- Assist clients with obtaining necessary documents (e.g., ID cards, birth certificates) and accessing resources (e.g., social security income, disability income).
- Identify permanent housing options, including subsidized housing, Section 8, VASH, and affordable or market-rate housing.
- Maintain accurate client data, including case notes and entries in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
- Prepare reports on case outcomes, successes, and challenges.
- Perform follow-up and retention services with proper documentation in client files.
- Build strong community relationships through outreach to businesses, agencies, and service providers.
- Respond to community requests for outreach interventions.
- Coordinate intake processes and manage family referrals effectively.
- Create and manage weekly supply lists and perform supply runs.
- Arrange transportation for guests as needed.
- Collaborate with hotel managers to ensure timely payment for services.
- Work with Housing Specialists to facilitate timely transitions from shelter to permanent housing.
- Monitor shelter length of stay and coordinate case conferences.
- Partner with Housing Stability Case Managers for exit planning and successful community connections.
- Provide technical assistance, program support, and training to community service providers.
- Attend meetings, trainings, and networking events with agencies, churches, and local community groups.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Community Outreach Program Manager.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Public Administration, Social Work, or a related field, or equivalent experience (five years) in homelessness, poverty, housing, mental health, and human services.
- Strong relationship-building and communication skills with a customer service focus.
- Knowledge of HUD guidelines, policies, and procedures, or the ability to learn and adhere to them.
- Familiarity with best practice models, including Housing First, Mental Health Recovery, Harm Reduction, and Trauma-Informed Care.
- Experience with HMIS and other databases and spreadsheets.
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and other computer applications.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to use a personal vehicle for daily duties (with mileage reimbursement).
- FBI Level 2 background clearance with fingerprinting.
Required Skills
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
- Strong organizational skills and adaptability.
- Patience and understanding when interacting with individuals experiencing trauma.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Capacity to work independently and collaboratively with a diverse client base.
- Regularly required to communicate in person or by phone.
- Frequently required to stand, walk, bend, and use hands to handle objects or tools.
- Ability to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 40 pounds.
- Significant time spent in the field and occasionally in an office setting.
- Encounter challenges associated with clients experiencing long-term homelessness, mental health issues, or substance abuse.
Disclaimer: This job description does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. This description excludes the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to essential job duties. All duties, responsibilities, and requirements are vital to the job. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" employment relationship.
