Community Engagement Lead

Job Description: The Community Engagement Lead plays a key role in amplifying the voices and leadership of individuals with lived experience of homelessness across Rhode Island. This position oversees and expands SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) programming in Providence to improve access to disability income benefits for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness, while also leading the Constituent Advisory Committee and Voices of Homelessness initiatives to ensure that policy and programmatic decisions are informed by those directly impacted. The Community Engagement Lead facilitates collaboration between community members, service providers, and advocacy partners, supervises the Constituent Engagement Coordinator, and helps guide statewide efforts that elevate constituent leadership and promote equitable, person-centered solutions to homelessness.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities: 

SOAR! Providence Local Lead:

• Oversee SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) programming and support services for the City of Providence in an effort to increase access to disability income benefits for individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

• Manage a caseload of individuals by providing resource linkage and coordinating services and applications for the individuals, and act as an advocate for our individuals to ensure they receive the appropriate benefits available.  

• Work with clients using the SOAR model to organize and submit SSI/SSDI applications.

• Submit monthly reporting to funders.

• Manage the SOAR steering committee, and the expansion of SOAR throughout the state.

Service Provider Programming: 

• Oversee the Continuum of Care’s grievance and complaint process, supporting constituents in submitting and resolving issues (note that grievances go to a state committee, staff is responsible for overseeing the process). 

• Assist the Coalition with developing and implementing its service provider/constituent programming, including the annual Courage Awards, annual Homeless Memorial, outreach events, etc. 

• Oversee one off programming such as tabling events, donation events, etc.

Program Management: 

• Manage the Supply Grant, overseeing the distribution and tracking of funds used to support client and community needs, including travel and transportation assistance, emergency outdoor supplies (such as tents, sleeping bags, and food), basic needs items (including clothing, hygiene products, and infant care), and cell phones with minutes to ensure client connectivity and access to services.

• Supervise the Constituent Engagement Coordinator, providing guidance and oversight for the coordination of the Constituent Advisory Committee and Voices of Homelessness programs, including member recruitment and training, meeting facilitation, speaker engagement scheduling, and the tracking of participant invoicing and honorarium processes to ensure meaningful constituent involvement and smooth program operations.

Required Qualifications: 

• Passion for ending homelessness and housing first principles. 

• Bachelor’s Degree in social work, public administration, human services, or related field, or equivalent working experience. 

• Two or more years’ experience working in the homeless field or social services. 

• Highly motivated and driven, with ability to work and troubleshoot independently.

• Extraordinary organizational skills, multi-tasking abilities, and attention to detail.

• Ability to cope/resolve conflicts and crisis situations. 

• Strong writer and editor. 

• Engaging, outgoing facilitator with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Comfort with technology and operating computer-based programs.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive professional relationships. 

• Demonstrated experience working successfully with diverse populations. 

• Demonstrated understanding of computer-based tools and programs. 

• Proficiency in Google Suite (gmail, calendar, drive, docs, sheets, etc.) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) .

• Must have reliable transportation including own vehicle, driver’s license, and automobile insurance. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Bilingual speaker (Spanish). 

• Familiarity with medical records and the disability process.

• Four or more years’ experience working with the homeless system. 

• Direct experience working within an HMIS system, preferably Clarity (by Bitfocus). 

• Lived experience of homelessness.