Community Outreach Officer

Job Summary:

The Bilingual Community Outreach Officer (COO) drives Encore Bank’s outreach efforts in underserved communities, promotes financial literacy, and ensures compliance with CRA and HMDA goals. The COO is responsible for representing the bank within local communities, especially in Low-Moderate Income (LMI) and Majority-Minority Census Tracts (MMCT) and engaging in community development through outreach programs. This position requires fluency in English and Spanish to communicate effectively and build relationships within the community.

As part of the Community Outreach Team, the Community Outreach Officer will focus on increasing mortgage loan applications and originations, small business loans, and financial literacy initiatives in diverse communities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The duties listed below are some of the duties that may be assigned and may not include all responsibilities that the person in this role may be asked to perform. The incumbent may be required to perform other related duties as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job duties.

• Actively generate and refer deal opportunities by identifying, cultivating, and bringing forward:
  • Mortgage applications and originations in Majority‑Minority Census Tracts (MMCTs), and
  • Small business loan opportunities in Low‑ and Moderate‑Income (LMI) geographies and for LMI borrowers, in close partnership with Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs), Commercial Relationship Managers (RMs), and Market Presidents.
• Serve as a visible, trusted presence in the community by building and maintaining strong relationships with local nonprofits, housing organizations, community groups, advocacy organizations, and small business partners serving LMI individuals, LMI areas, and MMCTs.
• Source and develop community development lending opportunities that support affordable housing, economic development, and small business growth in underserved areas, including collaboration with community organizations, government programs, and mission‑aligned partners.
• Proactively identify community needs and translate them into bankable opportunities, connecting borrowers to appropriate mortgage and small business products while ensuring alignment with CRA, fair lending, and compliance standards.
• Drive outreach strategy and execution within assigned markets through participation in community events, housing fairs, small business workshops, and financial education initiatives that result in measurable mortgage and small business lending activity.
• Lead and deliver financial education and community engagement initiatives, including:
  • Organizing educational workshops for first‑time homebuyers and small business owners, particularly in underserved communities; and
  • Leading Encore Bank Pathways, a financial literacy program covering topics such as Your Money 101, Building a Solid Credit History, Power of Saving, and Road to Homeownership.
• Lead monthly Focus Market Meetings (FMMs) to review performance, identify gaps and opportunities, and adjust outreach strategies to increase mortgage and small business loan production in targeted communities.
• Oversee CRA‑eligible donations and volunteer activities, including coordination, promotion, tracking of volunteer hours, and monitoring spending within approved CRA donation budgets.
• Serve as a connector between the bank and the community, positioning Encore Bank as a committed, long‑term partner in expanding access to homeownership, capital, and economic opportunity in underserved markets.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with mortgage, commercial lending, treasury management, deposit operations, compliance, and risk teams to ensure opportunities are appropriately structured, documented, and reported.
• Track and manage outreach and production pipelines, including:
  • Mortgage application and origination activity in MMCTs
  • Small business loan activity in LMI areas and to LMI borrowers
  • Community development lending opportunities
  • Community engagement, referral outcomes, and volunteer activity
    ensuring accurate documentation for CRA and HMDA reporting.
• Participate in team and market‑level planning meetings to align outreach efforts with the bank’s strategic goals and ensure consistent progress toward CRA and production objectives.

Type and Scope of Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• None

Skills and Qualifications:

• Fluent in English and Spanish, able to communicate effectively with diverse communities and stakeholders.
• Experience in community outreach and relationship-building within underserved communities.
• Understanding financial education, particularly in underserved populations.
• Organizational & Analytical Skills: Strong ability to manage multiple initiatives, track progress, and analyze community needs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, capable of engaging with community members and internal teams.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite and data management tools for outreach and loan tracking.
• Ability to handle sensitive information professionally and maintain confidentiality.
• Generate new business in the mortgage loan area, assisting customers through the application process to loan closing.
• Conduct loan interviews with customers to gather information about completing loan applications and fulfilling compliance requirements.
• Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of mortgage loan products, including FHA, VA, and in-house products, ensuring suitability for borrowers based on their financial situation and property characteristics.
• Participate in outside sales events like open houses, networking events, and meetings with realtors to build prospects and strengthen community ties.

• Positive, dynamic leader with a strong ability to build relationships and network
• Strong organization, prioritization, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Team player with the ability to interact with all levels of staff in the organization.

Work Experience Required for this job:

• 3-5 years in community outreach, financial education, or related roles; experience in mortgage loan origination is preferred.

Education Required for this job:

• High School Diploma or Associate’s Degree; Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Attendance Requirements:

• Daily attendance is required during normal business working hours
• In-person and/or hybrid attendance is occasionally required for company, client, and/or team meetings

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel:

• Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected

Physical Abilities Required for this Job:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job this individual is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk, hear, use their hands and fingers (manual dexterity), use a telephone, and occasionally lift and /or move up to twenty-five pounds.

• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Abilities Required for this Job:

• The ability to solve problems, make decisions, supervise others, interpret data, organize information, written and oral communication and read/write.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Encore Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, age, ancestry, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.