Outreach Specialist

Outreach Specialist

The Outreach Specialist is a key position in marketing the organization's multiple programs serving the homeless and is responsible for fully understanding the eligibility criteria for each of the applicable programs, the processes that applicants will follow to receive services, and the primary objectives of the organization's services. The Outreach Specialist must be able to speak before large groups, answer questions concerning the services provided, and address general questions about the organization's services and history. The Outreach Specialist will also be responsible for assisting with the outreach of employers and community partners as needed to meet the overall enrollment and placement goals for the organization.

This position also requires a person that is resourceful in developing outreach materials attractive and suitable to the successful recruitment of eligible clients. The Outreach Specialist must be self-motivated to identify events, offices, or other venues or outlets conducive to the successful distribution of information of program information that would result in the enrollment of clients that would benefit from the program services. This position will be accountable for accomplishing specific and measurable enrollment goals each month.

The Outreach Specialist must at all times coordinate their outreach work with other staff members and/or other programs of the organization, to assure non-duplication of effort, provide maximum opportunity and benefits to the client, and at all times support the integrity and good name of the organization. The Outreach Specialist is expected to understand the Homeless community well and must be sensitive to the needs of veterans and their families.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Must be able to speak before large groups, answer questions concerning the services provided, and address general questions about the organization's services and history.
• Responsible for assisting with the outreach of employers and community partners as needed to meet the overall enrollment and placement goals for the organization.
• Must read and understand the detailed policies, guidelines, forms, and other directives set out by the organization's Manuals of Standard Operation Procedures.
• Will be accountable for accomplishing specific and measurable enrollment goals each month.
• Must establish a plan of action to market the program services, deliver numerous presentations aimed at the specific target group of veterans, civilians, employers, and community partners be responsible for achieving the enrollments essential to the program success and to the benefit of the clients served.
• Responsible for preparing reports required and submitting the same to the Supervisor or the Management Information System (MIS) on a timely basis.
• On occasion the Supervisor may assign a special task which may require the Outreach Specialist to be designated the acting supervisor for that short finite task.
• Assist in protecting and supervising control of all assets of the organization. This may include the securing and safe-keeping of the building, the furniture and equipment, client files and documents, and the sharing of information with the supervisor when such information could have a detrimental effect on any aspect of the organization's operation
• Interact with other team members, clients, and community representatives in a respectful manner

• Confidentiality of client information, donors, team members and the AGIF-NVOP. Such information is to be disclosed on a need-to-know basis only.

Job Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree preferred
• Work experience of at least three (3) years in a responsible role is preferred; experience in an outreach capacity, public spoke person, or marketing role would be considered a definite plus.
• Must have at a minimum two years of college.
• Military and/or veterans organizations experience is also a plus.
• Applicants with less than a Bachelors Degree of education may be considered if they have no less than three years of experience for each year short of the general four year requirement for a Bachelor Degree, and provided they have at least one year of college completed.
• Outreach Specialist must express and demonstrate sensitivity to the veterans that they will serve at all times.
• Must have access to reliable transportation
• Must always have a current, valid Texas driver's license
• Must have applicable automobile liability insurance at all times
• Must pass drug testing and background check
• All personnel of the organization must be bondable

Skills & Competencies:

• Typing
• Computer literacy and utilization of general office equipment (scanner, fax, etc.)
• Working knowledge with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook
• Professional and productive demeanor, as well as ensuring that actions are supportive of others.
• Must be able to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to speak before groups when necessary
• Must be able to make independent decisions in coordination with service objectives.

Responsiveness to Internal and External Clients (Providing superior customer service; treating others with respect; assisting others to achieve success)

Solution-oriented approach (Finding solutions to everyday challenges; being innovative and proactive)

Adaptability (Adjusting to change even under stressful situations while helping others to make the same transition)

Teamwork (Working together cohesively, towards a common goal, creating a positive working atmosphere, and supporting each other to combine individual strengths to enhance team performance)

Work Standards (Meeting high standards that are supportive of policies and procedures)

Travel

Primarily local during business day although some out-of-area travel may be expected via airline or automobile based on the discretion of management.

Physical Demands

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

C = Constantly (2/3 or more of the time)

F= Frequently (from 1/3 to 2/3)

O = Occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time)

R = Rarely (less than one hour per week)

N/A = Not Applicable

Physical Demands - Frequency - Physical Demands - Frequency

Lifting up to 30lbs. - O - Vision – Ability to adjust focus - F

Sitting - F - Reaching over shoulder - O

Walking - F - Stooping - O

Bending waist - F - Driving - F

Balancing - F - Pushing - R

Climbing - R - Pulling - R

Kneeling - R - Talking - C

Vision – Close Vision - C - Hearing - C

Vision – Distance Vision - F - Other ___________ - N/A

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this position, the employee will conduct office work, meet with clientele and team members, and at times travel offsite to conduct business. Employee may be exposed to varying weather conditions. Employee will also be required to work in varied office and residential environment based on assigned caseload. Employee will be able to handle and de-escalate situations that may arise while at work. Employee will be required to recruit clients in traditional work environments such as job fairs and while networking at community events, as well as recruiting homeless clients where they may reside such as shelter homes, streets, and encampments.

It is the policy of the Company to be an Equal Opportunity Employer that protects applicants and employees from discrimination in hiring, promotion, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training classification and other aspects of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, (including pregnancy), disability, age, national origin and genetics. It's also the policy of the Company to hire individuals solely upon the basis of their qualifications and ability to do the job to be filled. The American GI Forum National Veterans Outreach Program (NVOP) is committed to assuring equal opportunity and equal access to services, programs and activities for individuals with disabilities. It is the policy of NVOP to provide reasonable accommodation to a qualified individual with disabilities to enable such individual to perform the essential functions of the position for which the individual is applying and for which the individual is employed. Additionally, it is the policy of the NVOP to provide reasonable accommodation for religious observers. The policy applies to all employment practices and actions. It includes, but is not limited to, recruitment, job application process, examination and testing, hiring, training, disciplinary actions, rate of pay or other compensation, advancement, classification, transfer, reassignment and promotions.