Community Outreach Advocate

The Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida • Orlando, FL

2d

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual (Spanish or Haitian Creole) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Engage with guests at community meals to identify individuals experiencing homelessness or 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED