Community Outreach Manager
18 days ago
Houston
Job DescriptionCommunity Outreach Manager PRIMARY FUNCTION: In keeping with the Mission Statement and Principles of Covenant House, part of the Covenant House International network, the organization is committed to providing homeless youth with a safe haven, absolute respect, unconditional love, and a path to lasting independence through housing programs and a continuum of supportive services.The Community Outreach Manager’s key responsibilities are ensuring that youth interactions in the community reflect CHT’s mission, values, and service expectations while strengthening public trust in the organization. The Manager cultivates and maintains strong relationships with community stakeholders, including business owners, schools, community centers, service providers, and other strategic partners. The Manager serves as a liaison between CHT, the community, and its partners, proactively addressing concerns, identifying collaboration opportunities, protecting organizational reputation, and advancing prevention efforts related to youth homelessness and human trafficking.This role provides strategic leadership for Covenant House Texas’s Street Outreach and community engagement efforts, ensuring that young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness are engaged with dignity, connected to resources, and supported in accessing pathways toward safety, housing, and stability. Essential Duties and Responsibilities - Key Responsibilities:Community Relationships and Reputation Management: • Develop and maintain positive working relationships with business owners, neighborhood stakeholders, schools, community organizations, and local service providers., • Serve as a primary point of contact for community concerns regarding youth engagement, Street Outreach activities, and interactions involving CHT., • Proactively engage businesses and community stakeholders to understand concerns, address misunderstandings, and promote constructive partnerships., • Monitor community perceptions of the youth served by CHT and the organization, using feedback to identify opportunities for education, relationship-building, and improved engagement., • Address concerns involving youth interactions in the community in a timely, professional, and solutions-focused manner while maintaining youth confidentiality., • Establish clear expectations for staff and youth regarding respectful interactions, public conduct, safety, and shared community spaces., • Promote a balanced approach that protects the dignity and rights of youth while supporting positive relationships with surrounding businesses and neighborhoods., • Identify emerging reputational concerns and communicate significant issues to the Director of Support Services and appropriate leadership., • Represent CHT professionally at community meetings, stakeholder gatherings, and partnership events. Youth Experience and Community Engagement: • Coordinate and oversee Street Outreach team canvassing efforts in the immediate surrounding areas of CHT to proactively engage youth in services, maintain positive and respectful engagement in the community., • Support youth as they navigate neighborhood spaces and interact with nearby businesses and community members, promoting positive engagement, respectful relationships, and appropriate use of shared spaces while advocating for youth needs and protecting the safety and reputation of CHT., • Promote positive, respectful, and consistent experiences for youth interacting with CHT staff in community settings., • Ensure outreach approaches are youth-centered, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and grounded in individual strengths and needs., • Identify barriers that prevent youth from accessing CHT programs and community resources and develop strategies to reduce those barriers., • Encourage youth participation in identifying needs, setting goals, and shaping service delivery., • Support seamless referrals from Street Outreach to CHT’s Youth Engagement Center and other programs., • Address concerns involving youth and community interactions through appropriate communication, problem-solving, and collaboration., • Balance youth advocacy with clear expectations for safety, respectful conduct, and appropriate use of external community spaces. Brand Protection and Organizational Representation: • Ensure Street Outreach staff consistently demonstrate conduct that reflects CHT’s mission, values, and commitment to serving young people with dignity and respect., • Establish and reinforce expectations for professional communication, ethical conduct, appropriate boundaries, and responsible representation of CHT in the community., • Monitor community feedback and recurring concerns that may affect public confidence in CHT or its services., • Respond to complaints and incidents involving youth in accordance with established reporting, escalation, and resolution procedures., • Collaborate with leadership and relevant departments to address reputational risks and develop appropriate corrective or preventive strategies., • Ensure staff use approved messaging, materials, and organizational branding when representing CHT., • Maintain confidentiality and ensure sensitive youth information is not disclosed during community engagement., • Support consistent, accurate communication about CHT’s mission, programs, eligibility requirements, services, and available resources., • Escalate media inquiries, significant community complaints, and potential public relations issues to designated leadership. School and Community Center Partnerships: • Identify, develop, and formalize partnerships with schools, school districts, community centers, youth-serving organizations, and other strategic partners., • Secure and maintain memoranda of understanding (MOUs), partnership agreements, and established referral pathways as appropriate., • Coordinate prevention education, outreach presentations, resource navigation, and youth engagement opportunities within partner settings., • Develop strategies to identify youth experiencing housing instability, family conflict, or other circumstances that may place them at risk of homelessness., • Collaborate with school personnel and community partners to connect youth and families to appropriate services while respecting confidentiality and applicable privacy requirements., • Establish a consistent partnership engagement schedule and maintain regular communication with partner organizations., • Track partnership development, referrals, prevention activities, and measurable outcomes., • Evaluate partnerships for effectiveness, sustainability, and alignment with CHT’s mission and program goals. Street Outreach Program Leadership: • Manage daily Street Outreach operations, including staffing, scheduling, field assignments, outreach locations, and service delivery., • Supervise, coach, and develop Outreach staff to ensure professional conduct, accountability, effective engagement, and adherence to organizational policies., • Ensure the team consistently engages youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability through relationship-based, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approaches., • Coordinate outreach efforts to identify youth who may be disconnected from services or at risk of homelessness, exploitation, or human trafficking., • Oversee the distribution of essential resources, including food, hygiene supplies, clothing, blankets, and referrals to appropriate services., • Ensure youth receive meaningful connections to CHT’s Youth Engagement Center, housing programs, mental health services, medical care, employment resources, and community partners., • Monitor outreach activities, service delivery, team performance, and program outcomes to identify opportunities for improvement., • Ensure accurate and timely documentation, data entry, case notes, service tracking, and reporting in accordance with organizational and funding requirements., • Ensure field activities are conducted safely, efficiently, and in accordance with CHT policies and procedures. Staff Development, Accountability, and Collaboration: • Conduct regular supervision, performance coaching, team meetings, and professional development., • Establish clear performance expectations and measurable goals for Street Outreach staff., • Address performance concerns promptly and consistently in collaboration with the Director of Support Services and Human Resources., • Ensure staff receive required training in de-escalation, trauma-informed engagement, human trafficking awareness, documentation, safety, and professional boundaries., • Promote teamwork, accountability, effective communication, and coordination with internal CHT departments., • Participate in leadership meetings, program planning, quality improvement initiatives, and cross-department collaboration., • Support a positive workplace culture that prioritizes youth outcomes, professional growth, and organizational accountability. Data, Outcomes, and Continuous Improvement: • Monitor program performance and maintain accurate records of outreach contacts, youth engagement, referrals, prevention activities, and partnership development., • Review data regularly to identify trends, underserved areas, outreach opportunities, and service gaps., • Develop reports and updates for the Director of Support Services, organizational leadership, and funders as required., • Establish measurable goals for community partnerships, school engagement, youth connections, prevention education, and staff performance., • Use feedback from youth, businesses, community partners, and staff to improve program quality and strengthen community relationships., • Ensure compliance with grant requirements, contractual obligations, documentation standards, and applicable organizational policies. Program Quality & Improvement: • Follow outreach policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure consistent service delivery., • Identify trends, service gaps, or barriers observed during outreach and communicate them to the Director of Support Services., • Participate in program improvement efforts and outreach initiatives as directed. Safety & Risk Awareness: • Follow all safety protocols during outreach activities to ensure personal, youth, and team safety., • Participate in safety check-ins and report concerns related to outreach environments or youth welfare., • Support proper incident reporting related to safety or risk issues. Reporting & Communication: • Maintain accurate and confidential youth records, including case notes and incident documentation., • Collaborate and Communicate outreach activities, outcomes, and emerging needs to Director of Support Services as required. Professional Development: • Participate in required trainings, HMIS forums, ClientTrack sessions, and professional development opportunities., • Stay informed on best practices related to trauma-informed care, youth homelessness, and human trafficking prevention. This position may be assigned additional responsibilities by the Director of Support Services or senior leadership as needed to support program and organizational needs. Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field (preferred), or equivalent relevant experience., • Minimum of 2 years of experience working with at-risk or homeless youth in a community-based or outreach setting., • Prior experience in a lead, mentor, or supervisory role preferred., • Strong interpersonal, coaching, and conflict-resolution skills., • Ability to support staff in crisis situations and high-stress environments., • Strong organizational skills with attention to documentation and compliance., • Proficiency with HMIS, RHYMIS, ETO, or similar data systems., • Knowledge of regulations related to homeless services, confidentiality, and data protection., • Must have a valid Texas Driver’s License., • Working Conditions, • Flexible schedule required, including evenings and weekends., • Field-based position requiring work in outdoor and public environments., • Physical demands may include walking, standing, lifting supplies, and transporting items., • Use of a CHT vehicle to transport youth or outreach supplies as needed. Why Join Us:Covenant House Texas offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities. As a Street Outreach Specialist, you will play a vital role in supporting youth experiencing homelessness by engaging directly in the community and serving as a consistent, trusted presence for youth at risk. In this role, you will provide trauma-informed, youth-centered outreach and prevention services, connect young people to essential resources, and collaborate closely with outreach team members, mental health staff, schools, and community partners. The Street Outreach Specialist helps ensure high-quality, compassionate engagement while contributing to prevention efforts and long-term stability for youth. This position is ideal for someone who is passionate about direct service, values teamwork and accountability, and is committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of youth by supporting their path toward safety, stability, and long-term independence.
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