The Regional Outreach Manager, under the direction of the Director of Community Engagement, is responsible for implementing Community Outreach strategies, programs, and initiatives in the target communities of the NHS South Suburban Region. The goal is to support existing residents and homeowners, understand community challenges, needs and aspirations, and inform NHS programming. The role involves driving clients to NHS programs and services, providing resources for neighborhood residents, and creating new relationships and partnerships with community-based organizations and institutions, local public officials, and residents. The Regional Outreach Manager will also identify and recruit Resident Leaders for community outreach on a stipend basis.
Key responsibilities include facilitating educational workshops, connecting residents with NHS services, participating in local councils, coordinating housing fairs, disseminating information on events and resources, gathering resident feedback, working with, and supporting local organizations, and interacting with resident’s one-on-one. The goal is to preserve and create homeowners through lending, education, training, and redevelopment.
Promoting Homeownership
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Attract new homeowners and renters to the area by increasing the pool of likely homebuyers through referrals for pre-purchasing counseling and education through NHS programs.
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Assist families in obtaining financing to buy homes in target areas.
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Network with local institutions (schools, churches, organizations) to identify potential homebuyers.
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Develop relationships with local brokers who represent properties in the target area or who help buyers locate properties.
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Conducts outreach presentations to diverse groups, including community groups, schools, churches, block clubs, etc. to stimulate revitalization and promote homeownership services.
Developing Stabilization Strategies / Strengthen the Community
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Exercises a wide range of outreach to recently filed foreclosures for owner occupied properties to encourage families to seek assistance for mortgage difficulty. Outreach should include door-to-door, workshops, neighbor/leaders, porch visits, etc.
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Utilize various strategies and resources to help homeowners reduce the cost of homeownership and enable them to remain affordably in their homes.
Developing Strategies for Vacant Buildings and/or lots
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Conduct visual surveys of vacant lots and open space to identify opportunities for cleanup and beautification. Collaborate with NHS staff and partners to address identified issues and opportunities. Collaborate with residents and community organizations to implement identified and agree-upon strategies.
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Identify and research vacant buildings to develop a strategy to re-occupy the property with a homeowner, if feasible. Work with NHS Redevelopment Corporation, Micro-Market Recovery Program, City of Chicago, Real Estate Developers and Brokers.
Education
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Bachelor’s degree in related fields preferred.
Experience
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Minimum 3 years’ experience in community development, or management of a community development corporation providing direct services or housing services.
Desired Skills
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Valid driver’s license with access to a safe, reliable vehicle for travel associated with the position.
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Must be available to work evenings and weekends to accommodate community meetings and events.
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Bilingual skills (Spanish language verbal & written) preferred.
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Ability to research properties to identify ownership using various resources.
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Ability to perform back of the envelope property valuations.
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Good oral communication skills for successful interpersonal interactions and making of public presentations.
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Computer literacy for making necessary data reports, participating in virtual meetings and develop visual presentations.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
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Valid driver’s license with access to a safe, reliable vehicle for extensive travel associated with the position.
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NHS offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package. We also offer a team spirit, which strives for excellence in customer service.
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To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
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Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; works well in group problem solving situations.
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Project Management - Develops project plans, coordinates projects.
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Teamwork - Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives.
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Planning/Organizing - Sets goals and objectives; develops realistic action plans.
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Initiative - Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; asks for and offers help when needed.
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Demonstrates produced results as indicated in annual plans.
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Demonstrates met or exceeded program goals.
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Demonstrates bringing in new resources/partnerships to neighborhood.
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Demonstrates assessment of program’s strengths and weaknesses.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is:
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regularly required to talk or hear.
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frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms.
The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
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Typical office environment with moderate noise level.