Community Outreach Advocate

POSITION: Community Outreach Advocate
REPORTS TO: Disaster Resilience Program Manager
STATUS: Hourly – Non-Exempt – Part-Time

Overview: The Outreach Advocate plays a vital role in connecting the Coalition with individuals in need of services through community-based engagement. This position acts as a liaison between the organization, community meal guests, volunteers, and local partners to identify individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability. In addition to outreach duties, the Outreach Advocate actively supports disaster preparedness and response efforts by coordinating with local businesses and nonprofit agencies before storms and weather-related events, disseminating critical information, and assisting the Disaster Resilience Team during emergencies.

• Engage with guests at community meals to identify individuals experiencing homelessness in crisis and connect them with appropriate Coalition services.
• Build rapport and maintain a visible, approachable presence during mealtimes, establishing trust with community dinner guests, volunteers, and community members.
• Act as a liaison between the Coalition and volunteers to support a welcoming and inclusive environment during meal service.
• Maintain records of referrals and outreach encounters and assist in tracking engagement outcomes.
• Engage local businesses, churches, and nonprofit agencies in advance of storms or extreme weather to coordinate resource availability and response plans.
• Disseminate accurate and timely disaster-related information to individuals at risk, including shelter access, weather alerts, and safety instructions.
• Assist in pre-storm preparations, including distributing supplies and communicating service changes to vulnerable populations.
• Support the Disaster Resilience Team during storm events and activations as needed (e.g., intake assistance, guest coordination, emergency communications).
• Participate in emergency preparedness training, drills, and community response.

• High school diploma or equivalent required; additional training in human services, public health, or emergency management is a plus.
• 1–2 years of experience in outreach, volunteer coordination, shelter services, or community organizing.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or vulnerable populations strongly preferred.
• Valid Florida driver's license and reliable transportation required.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays during disaster activations.
• Bilingual (Spanish or Haitian Creole) preferred.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work outdoors during extreme weather conditions (e.g., heat, rain, cold) to assist in locating and bringing unsheltered individuals to safety and shelter.
• Ability to remain calm and helpful during emergency situations or when working with individuals in crisis.
• Skilled in building partnerships with community organizations, volunteers, and local businesses.

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.