Community Outreach Coordinator

Position Summary

The Community Outreach Coordinator (Case Manager/Housing Navigator) provides housing-focused case management and housing navigation services to unsheltered individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Bennington County. This role supports participants in obtaining and maintaining safe, stable, and permanent housing using a Housing First, trauma-informed, and client-centered approach.

The position is responsible for coordinating housing placement, delivering supportive services, maintaining compliance with Vermont OEO/HOP and HUD requirements, and ensuring accurate and timely documentation in HMIS (Bitfocus Clarity).

Essential Functions

BCCH Coordinated Entry/HMIS Specialist Essential Responsibilities/Functions

· Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a HUD compliant technology system that is used by homeless service providers to collect confidential client-level data including demographics, history of homelessness, services accessed, and service needs. In Vermont, HMIS is managed by using BitFocus Clarity Software

· Works hand in hand with the Executive Director of Communications and Outreach Services to ensure all aspects of CE/HMIS are maintained in accordance with ICA, OEO and VT State regulations

· Provides training, materials, and technical support to BCCH staff to ensure the proper paper documentation/data entry, follow ups for case management services, status updates, and physical data entry requirements of HMIS

· Conducts regular data quality reviews to monitor overall system data quality

· Works closely with Partner Agencies to clean up data issues and improve data quality

· Create and monitor the use of a variety of forms including participation agreements, client consent forms, interagency sharing agreements, system-user agreements, and user code of ethics policy

· Assists in the generation and submission of project and community outreach reports from the HMIS including.

Client Engagement

· Explain the goal of the Coordinated Entry and local housing opportunities to clients

· Provide a brief description of community agencies involved in the partnership

· Complete assessments with clients within a week of accessing services

· Work alongside Case Managers to make referrals to community partners that best suit individual/family needs

· Update client information in BitFocus as needed, including but not limited to 90 Day Assessments, Status Update Assessments, Case Management Services, Annual Assessments, and Exit Interviews.

Data Management

· Complete/Maintain Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) licensure training

· Enter assessment data into HMIS, maintain data completeness by ICA standards

· Support ongoing reporting requirements quarterly and annually

· Attend weekly Coordinated Entry meetings, and any other meetings required

· Work alongside the Associate Director to keep all records updated and accurate for quarterly and annual reporting

· Maintain working relationships with ICA and community partners and provide ongoing feedback

· Responsible for making sure all BCCH data is entered into BitFocus in a timely manner.

Community Outreach Coordinator (Case Management/Housing Navigation) Essential Responsibilities/Functions

Housing-Focused Case Management

· Conduct comprehensive, housing-focused assessments to identify barriers to housing stability

· Develop and implement individualized Housing Stability Plans with measurable goals related to:

o Permanent housing placement

o Income and employment

o Access to benefits and mainstream resources

o Health, mental health, and substance use supports

· Provide ongoing case management using a progressive engagement model based on participant needs

· Utilize diversion and problem-solving strategies

· Mediation to prevent loss of housing

· Connection to emergency financial assistance

· Prevention-focused service planning

· Support housing retention through budgeting assistance, landlord mediation, and service coordination

Housing Navigation & Placement

· Assist participants in identifying, securing, and maintaining safe, affordable housing

· Conduct housing searches, assist with applications, and coordinate move-in logistics

· Build and maintain relationships with landlords and property managers

· Coordinate financial assistance in accordance with HOP guidelines (if applicable)

· Provide tenancy education and ongoing support to promote successful housing retention

Coordinated Entry (CE) & Community Collaboration

· Complete CE assessments and referrals within required timelines

· Collaborate with community partners to connect participants to healthcare, mental health, employment, and public benefits

• Participate in case conferencing and by-name list reviews as required

Documentation & Compliance (HMIS)

· Complete all required documentation, including:

o Program entry, CE assessments, services, and exits

o Work alongside the Director of Client Services and BCCH Coordinated Entry/HMIS Specialist to ensure all required HMIS/CE documentation is completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner

o Case notes and service transactions

o Income and housing status updates

· Ensure compliance with OEO, HUD, and HMIS data quality standards (timeliness, accuracy, completeness)

· Participate in data quality reviews and implement corrective actions as needed

· Support program reporting and outcome tracking, including:

o Housing placements

o Housing retention

o Income growth

• Returns to homelessness

Participant Engagement & Support

· Engage participants using a client-centered, strength-based, and trauma-informed approach

· Provide crisis intervention, problem-solving, and stabilization support

· Educate participants on tenant rights and responsibilities

• Support development of independent living skills

Program Support & Operations

· Maintain organized and audit-compliant participant files (electronic and/or paper)

· Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and required OEO/HOP trainings

· Provide cross-program coverage and support, including shelter operations when needed for staffing or emergency situations

• Document all interactions, services, and incidents in accordance with agency policy

Professional Expectations

· Demonstrate commitment to Housing First, harm reduction, and lower-barrier service delivery

· Maintain a non-judgmental, culturally responsive, and equitable approach

· Uphold confidentiality in accordance with HMIS, HUD, and agency policies

• Communicate effectively and collaborate with staff and community partners
• Follow agency safety protocols for field-based and community outreach work

Required Qualifications

• Experience in homeless shelter and/or homeless outreach services, housing programs, case management, housing navigation, and/or related field.

· Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability preferred

· Knowledge of housing resources and social service systems

· Ability to use HMIS or similar database systems (training provided if needed)

· Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation (if applicable)
• Ability to pass required background checks
• Compliance with all OEO/HOP, HUD, and agency policies and procedures

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel locally to meet with participants, landlords, and community partners, and ability to travel outside the local area when required for training, etc.
• Ability to sit, stand, and work on a computer for extended periods
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds as needed

Work Environment

• Office, community-based, and field work environments
• May require flexible scheduling to meet participant needs
• Regular interaction with individuals experiencing crisis or housing instability

Other Responsibilities/Functions

· Provide operational support in shelter settings as needed in urgent or coverage situations

· Ensure the privacy and safety of Shelter Guests by not confirming identities, and by not allowing anyone other than Shelter Guests, staff, and approved volunteers into the Shelters beyond the office areas. Only exceptions would be in the case of emergencies (Emergency Personnel/Law Enforcement) or a confidentiality agreement and/or written release has been signed (ex. Outside service providers, contracted maintenance persons)

· Attend required staff meetings, trainings, and supervisory sessions

· Maintain positive, supportive, and respectful relations with Shelter Guests, staff, and community partners

· Support BCCH’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by fostering a respectful, non-judgmental environment for all individuals. Staff are expected to treat all clients, colleagues, and community partners with dignity and respect, regardless of differences in identity, background, or lived experience. The use of slurs, derogatory language, gossip, or discriminatory assumptions based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, primary language, religion, physical or mental ability, or any other protected or non-protected characteristic is strictly prohibited

· Anything else required by federal/state/local regulations

· Anything else required by funding sources

· Anything else required by the Executive Director, or Board of Directors.

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25