Community Engagement Coordinator-Floater Gilroy BRC

POSITION: Community Engagement Coordinator-Floater Gilroy/BRC

REPORTS TO: Director of Community Engagement                     

PROGRAM/LOCATION: Boccardo Reception Center/Gilroy Shelter/Admin Office

TYPE: Non-Exempt, Full-time, on-site, in person

Compensation: $33.38/Hourly

 ABOUT HOMEFIRST 

Established in 1980, HomeFirst™ is a nonprofit organization passionately working to end homelessness. We serve the Bay Area community through low-barrier programming and systems leadership – meeting each person where they are by offering support and resources that address immediate and long-term housing needs. With 45 years of experience, we view housing as a fundamental human right and understand that solving homelessness requires a collaborative effort. 

OUR VALUES

• Kindness: We act with empathy toward others.
• Passion: We ignite change to fulfill our mission.
• Excellence: We deliver exceptional service to our communities.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Boccardo Reception Center and Gilroy Emergency Shelter are housing first-focused low-barrier, and harm reduction programs designed to serve adults experiencing homelessness within the cities of San Jose and Gilroy. Both BRC and Gilroy programs provide onsite comprehensive support services with the goal of assisting all program participants transition into permanent housing. The BRC and Gilroy sites include a Community Room for hosting workshops, participant support services, and community events. HomeFirst is contracted to coordinate services, community engagement, and programming all designed to empower and build self-sufficiency for those transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing.  

The Community Engagement Coordinator is a regular, full-time position who supports shelter participants and staff by identifying, securing, and managing volunteers, developing community partnerships through volunteer opportunities and donation drives, and communicating with the staff regarding available donated items. The Community Engagement Coordinator will support the facilitation of skill-building workshops and site events to build community among the program participants. The Community Engagement Coordinator will work with program staff to ensure that program metrics and needs are met. As a part of the Fund Development Team, the Community Engagement Coordinator will support fundraising and donation drive efforts that support all HomeFirst programs.

The Community Engagement Coordinator is further responsible for modeling the values and principles of HomeFirst within the agency and the broader community. The Community Engagement Coordinator is relentless in their commitment to ending homelessness via the principles of Housing First and Harm Reduction. They demonstrate this commitment through thoughtful, strategic program design and a scientific approach to performance improvement. Their participation in the continuous testing, analysis, and refinement of their programs reflects their personal pursuit of excellence in all that they do. HomeFirst is a diverse company in a diverse field, and the Community Engagement Coordinator desires to work with people from a variety of social and economic backgrounds.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS 

The position reports to the Director of Community Engagement and works in concert with six other Community Engagement Coordinators as well as members of the Fund Development, Marketing & Communications, and programs teams. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Volunteer Coordination

• Serve as the coordinator for BRC and Gilroy volunteer activities including recruitment, placement, scheduling, hours tracking, and training of volunteers.
• Identify new opportunities to engage groups, individuals, and corporations in the agency’s work.
• Secure workshop facilitators/volunteers to ensure quarterly workshop goals are met.
• Work with program team to help meet volunteer needs for the program, including BRC kitchen volunteers.
• Build and maintain strong community relationships.
• Complete and track enrollment applications, code of conduct, confidentiality, release forms, and sign-in forms for volunteers.
• Track all TB testing, Food Handling certifications, proof of vaccination, and fingerprinting for various volunteer duties.
• Ensure that volunteers and staff are trained on proper use of the volunteer portal.
• Communicate with volunteers in a timely manner.  Answer all inquiries via phone or email.
• Work with Director of Interim Housing Services, Program Manager, and program staff to ensure compliance with all agency policies regarding volunteers.
• Work in collaboration with DEI director and HomeFirst DEI Committee to incorporate celebrations for shelter participants.
• Maintain calendars for meal donations, activities and workshops and confirm all scheduled meal donations, activities, and workshops on a weekly basis.
• Engagement Activities
• Provide monthly calendar of site workshops and events to appropriate personnel.
• Schedule weekly workshops to build self-sufficiency, facilitated by volunteers, the Community Engagement Coordinator, or program staff.
• Coordinate quarterly resource fairs at the site, including outside organizations that offer resources needed by program participants.
• Schedule site tours with potential volunteers and/or donors.
• Actively develop relationships with businesses, faith communities, and organizations which would complement and support program needs, providing workshops, in-kind donations, off-site kit builds, and general support.
• Convene a regularly scheduled Community Advisory Committee to build relationships with immediate neighbors, giving and receiving feedback on EIH activities and program metrics.
• Collect all donation forms (from in-kind and other donations) and return completed forms to the office of Fund Development.
• Work with program staff to be aware of current in-kind donation needs.
• Work as part of the Fund Development team to provide logistical and tactical support for the agency’s special events, share information on key community relationships and assist with developing social media stories.
• Build community awareness about EIH; attend community-based fairs and other community initiatives with goals that align with HomeFirst’s mission.
• Report on engagement activities and impact to senior staff

Other

• Participate in Community Engagement and Fund Development team duties and activities.
• Accept, sort, distribute donations received at the Administration Office.

Characteristics

• Desire to continually develop skills and increase knowledge
• Value being part of a coordinated team
• High level of professionalism with internal and external audiences
• Exhibit leadership qualities
• Strong sense of accountability

Other

• Clean driving record; valid, current CA driver license and auto insurance
• Able to use personal vehicle with reimbursement for mileage
• Able to occasionally lift up to 30 lbs.
• Able to drive agency vehicles with training and certification

BENEFITS 

HomeFirst provides comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage and additional wellness options like chiropractic care, mental health support, pet insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. We offer a 401(k)-retirement plan with generous matching, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, commuter benefits, and workers’ compensation. Employees enjoy 12 holidays, sick leave, and PTO starting at 15 days annually, increasing with tenure, plus 4 hours of civic engagement leave annually to volunteer. 

ORGANIZATIONAL EQUITY STATEMENT 

At HomeFirst, diversity, equity, and inclusion guide our services, workplace, and decisions. Recognizing housing as a social justice issue, we prioritize equitable practices, honor lived experiences and uphold dignity for all. By fostering belonging, accountability, and continuous improvement, we embed DEI values in our processes, recruitment, and leadership, striving for excellence at every level.

HomeFirst is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. Additionally, HomeFirst participates in the E-Verify program, as required by law.

HomeFirst is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.

QUALIFICATIONS (YOU HAVE)

Education and Experience

• Preferred: two years related experience with bachelor’s degree or AA Degree, or five years related experience with High School Diploma.
• Lived experience preferred

Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge

• Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to work well with all levels of management, staff, vendors and with people of diverse social backgrounds
• Strong written and oral communication skills with an ability to facilitate meetings, organize events, and build excellent relationships with key stakeholders
• High level of flexibility and time management skills; able to manage multiple projects concurrently
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain priorities and meet established deadlines
• Able to take direction and work as a team member
• Ability to present oneself and the agency professionally to internal and external audiences
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Strong computer skills
• Sensitive to confidential matters
• Able to work some nights and weekends as required
• Strong volunteer management skills; recruiting and training volunteers to give excellent service