Community Outreach Coordinator
Reports To
Program Manager
Who is Persevere?
Persevere is a national 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to decreasing recidivism and increasing successful reentry and transition for men and women involved in the criminal justice system. To accomplish this, Persevere offers a customizable, comprehensive program for criminal-justice involved individuals to develop meaningful job skills and gain successful access to the labor market. These services include software codings; job readiness and employability instruction, including life skills and financial education; work experience; job search and job placement; entrepreneurship training; and for some, a residential transition program.
National data shows recidivism rates are highest among those who are unemployed. Criminal justice involved men and women have long struggled to find employment upon release. They have an immediate disadvantage because of their criminal justice involvement, and must compete with non-offenders for unskilled, low-paying jobs. Even when they are successful at finding a job, keeping it is another challenge. As a result, many are unable to comply with the conditions of parole and end up back in prison.
Real Hope, Valuable Skills, & Meaningful Opportunity
Job Overview
The Community Outreach Coordinator is our nonprofit organization’s community-facing liaison with community agencies and service providers. This position helps us develop, improve, and maintain positive working relationships with our community partners while also coordinating service referral systems throughout Tennessee.
This is not a case manager position. The Community Outreach Coordinator helps build relationships with community organizations so case managers (we call them Support Specialists) can connect our clients with the wraparound support services they need to be successful.
We are looking for an outcomes-focused, outgoing self-starter with a passion for contributing to the success of justice-impacted people and others who are negatively impacted by significant social and economic conditions.
This role is based in the Middle Tennessee area and will require approximately 10% travel (predominantly, though not exclusively, within the Mid TN region). Qualified candidates must have a valid drivers license and reliable transportation. This is a salaried, overtime-exempt position with excellent benefits. This position requires the ability to pass a reference check, background check, and drug screen.
Job Responsibilities
Coordinate and implement outreach activities with agency partners
Create and maintain a directory of service providers and resources and access the directory resources of other agencies serving similar client populations
Develop positive and effective professional relationships with community partners and other agencies serving Persevere and the project’s potential participants
Develop MOUs and other agreements with community partners and service providers to guide interagency and direct participant referrals
Collaborate with Support Specialists to assess the service needs of clients and connect them with the correct providers
Participate in and attend community collaborative meetings supported by project partners and service providers
Assist in the development and implementation of program outreach plans and research, seek out, and develop new partnerships to help meet client needs
Maintain good relationships with service providers, clients and staff
Expand the list of resources and providers to assure there are no gaps in services
Comply with Program Director and Program Manager guidance related to job responsibilities; overall program priorities; programmatic reporting; trauma-informed, racially-equitable, and gender-responsive services; time tracking, invoicing, and reporting procedures; and safety procedures
Assist with the training, support, and supervision of Support Specialists
Maintain accurate records
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a human services area (social work, human services, criminal justice, psychology) or an equal number of years of experience providing community outreach or community support services
Experience with community outreach
Experience providing case management services
Experience providing case management and/or community support services to persons with substance abuse and/or co-occurring disorders
Experience working with corrections involved clients/offenders is preferred
Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation
We highly value
Passion for and responsibility to the customer/partner
Must be self-starting, hardworking and inquisitive
Leadership through innovation in everything you do
Passion for what you do and being self-reflective to improve
Relentless commitment to win
Personal and corporate integrity