Community Outreach Specialist

Community Outreach Specialist

The Community Outreach for Families Specialist identifies, engages, and builds rapport with homeless families throughout the tri-county areas of Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties. This role assists families in breaking the cycle of homelessness by transitioning them from accessing services to being effectively linked with essential social supports and rapidly obtaining permanent housing. The role provides individualized, client-centered support by developing and implementing service plans that address housing barriers, increase income, and identify safe, temporary housing options until permanent housing is secured.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct community-based outreach using the outreach vehicles 3–5 days per week.
• Perform program enrollment for new families during initial community outreach visits.
• Ensure families are oriented to community outreach practices, expectations, and protocols.
• Provide supportive services in a nonjudgmental, client-centered manner.
• Provide information, referrals, service linkages, and advocacy to support access to community resources.
• Assist clients in obtaining required documentation and benefits, including state identification, birth certificates, Social Security benefits, and disability income.
• Identify and facilitate access to appropriate housing options, including bridge housing, subsidized housing, Section 8, VASH, permanent supportive housing, affordable housing, market-rate housing, and other available housing resources.
• Register each guest in Housing Connector as a housing resource and maintain an accurate, up-to-date housing profile.
• Maintain accurate and timely client records, including case notes and HMIS data entry.
• Prepare case-related documentation and reports, including outcomes, successes, and challenges.
• Generate and submit required client data for monthly reporting.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and compliant documentation of service objectives, outcomes, and service delivery in accordance with federal, state, and local requirements.
• Provide follow-up and housing retention services and maintain required supporting documentation in client files.
• Provide housing stabilization services for a minimum of twelve (12) months after the client has identified and secured a housing unit.
• Conduct outreach to community partners, business owners, and service providers to identify new and existing resources that support families' access to employment, supportive services, and housing.
• Respond to community requests for outreach interventions and support.
• Participate in required meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
• Network and collaborate with partner agencies, churches, food pantries, shelters, and local community organizations.
• Coordinate intake processes through effective family referrals and interagency collaboration.
• Create weekly supply lists and complete supply procurement runs as needed.
• Arrange transportation for clients as required.
• Coordinate weekly hotel folios with hotel managers to ensure timely and accurate payment for services.
• Coordinate housing services with Housing Specialists to support timely exits from shelter to permanent housing.
• Monitor shelter length of stay and participate in periodic case conferencing.
• Coordinate with Housing Stability Case Managers to support exit planning, permanent housing placement, and successful transitions into the community.
• Collaborate with and support community service providers by delivering high-quality technical assistance, program support, and training.
• Maintain confidentiality of client information and records in accordance with applicable laws and agency policy.
• Utilize outreach vehicles safely and in accordance with agency transportation policies.
• Maintain regular communication with supervisor regarding outreach activity, client needs, and program challenges.
• Ensure timely follow-up with referred families and active clients to promote engagement and housing progress.
• Conduct weekly bridge hotel visits with clients to monitor guest journey plan.
• All outreach efforts must be conducted in pairs with another staff member to ensure safety.
• Staff are not permitted to conduct home visits, tabling events, or outreach efforts alone under any circumstances.
• Coordinate scheduling of visits in advance to ensure proper staff coverage and safety protocols are followed.
• Staff may only use agency vehicles for home visits or work-related travel.
• Staff may transport guests in agency's vehicle only.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Manager.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in human services, social work, psychology, or a related field required.
• Prior experience in case management, housing navigation, homelessness services, or related human services work preferred.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as required by community outreach and program needs.
• Valid Florida driver's license required.
• Ability to travel throughout assigned service areas for community outreach activities.
• Ability to successfully complete an FBI Level 2 background screening with fingerprinting.
• Must pass a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check.
• Staff must be approved and listed on the agency's insurance policy prior to operating any agency's vehicle.

Required Skills:

• Strong relationship-building and communication skills with a customer service-oriented approach.
• Ability to learn and apply evidence-based and best-practice models, including Housing-Focused, Mental Health Recovery, Harm Reduction, and Trauma-Informed Care.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document services clearly and professionally.
• Knowledge of and experience working with HMIS, spreadsheets, and other data management systems.
• Ability to engage families experiencing crisis in a calm, empathetic, and professional manner.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple cases, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently in field-based settings while exercising sound judgment.
• Ability to solve problems, adapt quickly, and respond effectively to changing client and community needs.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal staff, landlords, agencies, and community partners.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and meet reporting deadlines.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and appropriate boundaries at all times.