Job Description

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is seeking a talented Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator who wants to make an impact in the lives of others.

Purpose and Impact:

The Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator acts as a community liaison to connect and engage youth in positive experiences, resources, and supports to decrease involvement in dependency or child welfare systems. This is a direct care position.

Essential Functions:

• Provide non clinical counseling to individual youth and group counseling activities, prevention activities and groups, and social skill instructions.
• Provide rotating “on-call” services.
• Make recommendations for appropriate, effective curricula and other program supplies.
• Advocate for clients with community agencies, court, Department of Juvenile Justice, schools, etc.
• Maintain accurate records and fulfill necessary administrative duties as needed.
• Provide house coverage as needed in emergencies.
• Participate in and provide staff/professional training; attend one-to-one supervision and team meetings.
• Working with the Program Director to develop a community engagement program with a plan to include agreed goals, priority target audiences 
• Identify, maintain and strengthen links with relevant local community organizations, community and faith groups, and stakeholders.
• Identify barriers to accessing services within the local communities and formulate strategies as to how these might be overcome.
• Identify and implement ways to involve local community members in the development of services in relation to advice, welfare and housing.
• Regular reporting to Program Director.
• Organizing workdays for volunteer workers recruited from community agencies, outside bodies and corporate organizations
• To involve people, both in the local community and further afield, in events and activities
• Developing additional learning or fund-raising events using experience gained elsewhere by similar groups
• Piloting and promoting weekend learning activities targeted at school age children and youth groups
• Preparing an annual work plan of planned initiatives and targets
• Visiting local groups and services (such as churches, residents' associations and youth groups) and, if requested, making short presentations
• Reporting as required both internally and to external bodies
• Provide education and support for clients in all aspects involving social skills, life skills, and parenting skills.
• To be familiar with and abide by policies set forth by the agency.
• Be sensitive to individual children’s differences and needs, and be willing to adjust planning daily
• Identify appropriate community connections for clients.
• Build and foster long standing relationships with a wide range of audiences, including young people, teachers, parents and other stakeholders.
• To promote LSF programs and services, communicating transparently with a range of stakeholders what we offer, when and waiting times for these services. As well as, acting as an information point for internal staff to ensure up to date service information is clearly communicated between teams.
• To actively seek feedback on the service, including develop a clear service where young people can comment and share concerns on our services, and these are acted upon.
• To work within the spirit and framework of all LSF policies, governance, and delivery philosophy, and to keep up to date with relevant training and professional development, particularly in relation to safeguarding, risk and safety.

Other Functions:

• Carry and maintain an agency cellular phone 24 hours a day.
• Other duties as reasonably assigned.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to drive, travel, use phone, sit for long periods of time, write case notes, and file.

Education:

High School diploma or GED required. Prefer some post-secondary education or a degree in a human services field such as social work, counseling, psychology or education.

Experience:

One to three (1-3) years experience in adolescent and family counseling, facilitating group sessions and performing intake, psychosocial/suicide/risk assessments.  Experience with troubled youth and their families.

Skills:

Must have good time management, organizational skills, verbal and written communication and interpersonal leadership skills.  Able to communication effectively with clients, parents, co-workers, volunteers, government and other agencies and general public.  Has demonstrated consistent dependability, discretion and good judgment. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to maintain effective interactions with young people. Ability to maintain good working relationships with all colleagues, partners and stakeholders.

Other:

Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Reports to Shelter Program Manager and/or Clinical Director
• Team player with co-workers and administrators.
• Accurate, complete and timely documentation of clients’ cases.
• Accurate, complete and timely submission of required statistical reports.
• Adherence to all licensing and quality assurance standards.
• Liaison to DJJ, courts, schools and community providers.
• Adherence to agency policies and procedures.

Why work for LSF? 

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need.  Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while  transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find  growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.

Amazing benefits package including: 

• Medical, Dental and Vision 
• Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors) 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary) 
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday 
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year) 
  • Note: Head Start employees paid time off and holiday schedule may differ 
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement 
• Tuition reimbursement 

LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. 

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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