Community Engagement Specialist

"Transitioning Austin's homeless neighbors into an engaged community through shelter, opportunity, and support."
Job Title: Community Engagement Specialist
Reports to: Community Engagement Team Lead
The Community Engagement Specialist will provide quality support and collaboration to the Esperanza Community through TOOF programming and services.
What is TOOF?
The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF) is a nonprofit that offers extremely low-barrier work opportunities, case management, and humanitarian aid to people experiencing homelessness. TOOF offers several homeless services related programs which include the WorkForce First (WFF) program, the Mobile Hygiene Clinic, Going Home, and the service coordinator for the Esperanza Community.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING
The Other Ones Foundation strives to nurture and empower an inclusive environment in which everyone is recognized, valued, and respected for their contribution regardless of the color of their skin, their gender identity or gender expression, where they live or who they love. Leveraging the diversity of our organization is essential to our ability to strengthen the mission of our organization: The Other Ones Foundation transitions Austin's homeless neighbors into an engaged community through shelter, opportunity, and support.
Job Summary
Under the direction of the Program Manager of Community Engagement, and the direct supervision of a Community Engagement Team Lead. This role is community based and demands excellent people skills and a passion for creating relationships. All interactions will be person centered, be racially and culturally diverse, strengths-based, trauma informed, and have a harm-reduction perspective. The Community Engagement Program offered by The Other Ones Foundation has a strong focus on giving a voice to the community to identify resources, needs, and potential barriers that may be experienced. This position will function as a support within the Community Engagement Department including support of all Community Engagement Programming. This position allows for creativity and personal passions and interests to be shared with community members.
Responsibilities

• Work to connect the community with requested programs, resources and services, including facilitation of our Community Center Front Desk operations
• Support Community Engagement event planning and facilitation
• Facilitate meetings, events and activities with the residents of the Community, including driving the Esperanza Shuttle.
• Document "minutes" from those meetings and interactions including inputting relevant data into HMIS or Apricot.
• Help navigate the delivery and presentation of resources and information to the Community;
• Triage and respond to client needs requiring further service provision, referrals or navigation support within the community
• Develop skills necessary to assist an individual manage their challenges during interactions; including de escalation and crisis intervention when needed.
• Remain flexible to shifting office demands and organizational growth over time.
• Provide supports and feedback for resolving potential barriers in the community
• Engage in a daily practice of building community and model neighborly behavior
• Management of donation inventory and organization at Esperanza Community
• Integration of volunteers into Community Engagement Programming as needed
• Work closely with other Divisions of the organization to disseminate information
• Work collaboratively with collateral service providers.
• Establish and nurture strong relationships with partner organizations that serve the community.
• Track partner outreach, correspondence, input and requirements, including meeting notes & tasks
• Attend and participate in team meetings;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience working with individuals who are homeless and/or at risk of homelessness, and familiarity with the nuanced sub-cultures shared by people who have experienced chronic homelessness
• Ability to promote a culture that encourages low barrier access to services
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and engagement skills with a challenging population in nontraditional work environments
• Excellent communication skills
• Well-organized and apt in problem-solving
• Proficiency in motivating others and problem solving
• Competent technology skills, including experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.).
• Deescalation and conflict mediation skills
• Proficiency in motivating others and problem solving.
• Ability to work collaboratively with co-workers and external partners.
• Ability to deliver services to a culturally and ethnically diverse population.
• Ability to multi-task and complete assignments in an effective manner.
• Exceptional verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• High professional standards and dedication to the organization's mission, vision & values.
• Proficient in Harm Reduction principles and practices
• Valid Drivers License
• Weight lifting requirement of 35lbs

Salary: Starting at $51,674.69
Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Growth and Development Opportunities
• Vision insurance
• 401k

Schedule:

• Must be willing to work weekends and will be on a regular and predictable schedule of 10-hour shifts. These positions will either be on a Sunday through Wednesday schedule or Wednesday through Saturday schedule.
• Day shift

COVID-19 considerations:
All employees will be expected to follow the guidelines & recommendations of the CDC
Ability to commute/relocate:

• Austin, TX 78741: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)

• Work Location: One location
The Other Ones Foundation is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of color, race, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) with respect to employment opportunity.