Recruitment and Community Outreach Assistant (36028)

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is seeking a talented Recruitment and Community Outreach Assistant who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Purpose and Impact:

This position supports enrollment, eligibility, recruitment, and community engagement functions for the Early Head Start/Circle of Hope School program. The role ensures compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, supports community-based recruitment and partnerships, and contributes to program planning, reporting, and continuous quality improvement during a period of reduced staffing capacity.

Essential Functions:

• Verify applications for completeness as outlined in "Initial Application Process Policy."
• Implement timely application processing as outlined in the "Initial Application Process Policy."
• Obtain confidential and critical information from families for data entry into ChildPlus.
• Provide frequent in person, phone and written contact with staff and families often involving sensitive and/or confidential information.
• Provide appropriate information and referrals to wait-listed families, with a focus on resources for currently homeless families awaiting placement.
• Process EHS to COH eligibility verifications and placements.
• Ensure timely and accurate data entry and documentation within ChildPlus, including eligibility, enrollment, attendance, and waitlist records.
• Maintain wait lists for accurate selection of the families. Families with the highest need shall be identified during the eligibility process via interview or written correspondence and prioritypoints shall be awarded as outlined in the "Selection Policy."
• Maintain filing systems and eligibility files for all enrolled, previously enrolled and wait listed applicants. Ensuring files are accurate and accessible for both processing and annual audits.
• Maintain accurate child files, eligibility documentation, and child comprehensive records for enrolled, previously enrolled, and wait-listed families.
• Process requests for educational records made by parents or other agencies ensuring Permission to Exchange has been granted or checking ID as necessary.
• Generate regular and ad-hoc ERSEA and demographic reports to support program planning, community needs assessments, and audits.
• Form and maintain working relationships with outside agencies to facilitate both recruitment and services to enrolled and wait listed families.
• Attend recruitment events on a monthly basis. These events may consist of non-traditional hours needed on weekday evenings and/or weekend days/evenings
• Assist with planning and coordination of program-wide events (e.g., parent conferences, health fairs, Head Start Awareness activities).
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community agencies, partners, and internal stakeholders to support recruitment and service referrals.
• Support enrollment activities and transitions, including Early Head Start, Head Start and Circle of Hope School eligibility processing.
• Generates regular and special reports as requested. Compiles information into relevant demographic data reports for needs assessment and program planning.
• Submits all information in an accurate and timely manner.
• Performs general office support and other clerical duties as requested or needed. Prepares agendas and minutes for team meetings, training sessions, etc.
• Attends all required staff and parent meetings and activities.
• Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to /EHS/Circle of Hope School children, families and staff in accordance with program and LSF policies and procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Other Functions:

Note: The above duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform some or all of the activities described above.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and use a computer for extended periods.
• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 45 pounds; ability to bend and reach for event setup.
• Local travel required for outreach and recruitment activities.
• Clear communication skills for interaction with families and community partners.
• Work occurs in office, classroom, community, and outdoor settings with moderate noise and variable weather.
• May require occasional evenings or weekends.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. with at least one year's experience in social services, including data entry, retrieval, and report preparation experience, and willingness to complete Family Development Credential within one year of hire. AA or higher degree preferred. Must possess a sound working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and the ability to learn data bases quickly. Experience with Head Start/Early Head Start Specific software preferred.
• Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference of employment vacancies for which they are qualified.
• Bilingual preferred: English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the local area.

Also required:

Successful completion of a Level II background screening, local criminal record check and drug screening prior to hiring.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy
• Adept at queries, report writing and presenting findings.
• Ability to communicate ideas and instructions verbally and in writing.
• Ability to write reports and business correspondence.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage numerous tasks.
• Exceptional organization skills and attention to detail are required and the candidate must be able to meet designated deadlines.
• Knowledge of Windows, word processing database and spreadsheet programs.

Other:

Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Team player with co-workers and central service office staff.
• Cost effective program operations.
• Adherence to agency policies, procedures and performance standards.
• Effective customer service and group leadership.

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
  • Note: Head Start employees paid time off and holiday schedule may differ
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement

LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Lutheran Services Florida is mandated to perform background screenings for employment in accordance with the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse as outlined in Section 435.12, Florida Statutes. Additionally, pursuant to House Bill 531 (2025), Lutheran Services Florida must ensure that all job vacancy postings and advertisements include a clear and conspicuous link to the AHCA Clearinghouse website and its requirements. For more information on background screening requirements please visit:

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.