Community Coach - Jobs Plus in Norfolk, Virginia at Norfolk Redevelopment And Housing Authority

*Residency in Oakleaf Forest is required for this position*

We Are Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority

NRHA’s Vision and Mission

We are proud to be the largest housing and redevelopment authority in Virginia and a leader in real estate development and property management across the country. Since 1940, we’ve been working to revitalize and improve neighborhoods in Norfolk.

As an award-winning public housing authority designated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the NRHA VISION is to provide quality housing choices in neighborhoods where people want to live. Our MISSION is to provide quality housing opportunities that create sustainable, mixed-income communities.

Today, our dedicated team continues focusing on our vision and mission by providing exceptional service to residents, vendors, development partners, and community stakeholders through programs that support the development and sustainability of affordable housing and offering programs that support the goal of self-sufficiency for all residents of Norfolk, Virginia.

Position Summary

Serves as a resident peer outreach worker and liaison between Oakleaf Forest residents and NRHA’s Jobs Plus Program. Builds trusted relationships with neighbors, recruits residents to participate, and encourages continued engagement in employment, education, training, and financial empowerment services. Supports the community support for work component of Jobs Plus through resident communication, peer encouragement, and community activities. Explains approved program information, connects residents with Employment Specialists and other program staff, gathers resident feedback, and documents outreach. Works under the general supervision of the Jobs Plus Program Manager.

Essential Functions

Recruit Oakleaf Forest residents through door-to-door outreach, one-on-one conversations, resident meetings, telephone calls, and approved digital communications. Use approved flyers and materials to explain available Jobs Plus services.

Build relationships with residents who are seeking work, already employed, or interested in education and career advancement. Listen to their interests and concerns and connect them with the appropriate staff member.

Explain enrollment steps and the program’s employment services, applicable financial incentive, and community support for work using approved information. Refer individual eligibility, rent, benefits, and financial questions to designated staff.

Help interested residents connect with the Administrative Assistant or Employment Specialists to schedule intake appointments, orientations, workshops, and follow-up visits. Provide appointment reminders and encourage attendance.

Offer peer encouragement to support residents’ goals, celebrate progress, and help residents reconnect with services after missed appointments or interruptions. Refer employment planning and case management needs to Employment Specialists.

Identify barriers residents report, such as transportation, childcare, technology access, or scheduling needs, and communicate them to program staff for assessment and referral.

Help create a community environment that supports work by sharing approved information about job opportunities, training, workshops, and resident accomplishments. Obtain required consent before sharing personal stories or photographs.

Assist with planning and conducting orientations, job fairs, employer visits, resident meetings, workshops, and community events. Help with invitations, setup, registration, attendance records, and follow-up.

Gather resident feedback through conversations, surveys, and group activities; summarize concerns, interests, and suggestions for the Manager’s review.

Maintain accurate outreach logs and records of contacts, referrals, activities, and follow-up using NRHA-approved forms or systems. Submit routine reports within established deadlines.

Meet regularly with the Jobs Plus team to coordinate outreach, discuss resident feedback, and identify ways to improve participation. Work with resident leaders and partners as directed by the Manager.

Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and secure handling of participant information. Share information only with authorized individuals through approved channels.

Participate in required training and follow NRHA procedures for community outreach, staff safety, records management, and respectful resident service. Refer urgent concerns to designated staff or emergency services as appropriate.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Performance Standards

Outreach contacts, referrals, and follow-up are documented accurately and submitted on time.

Residents receive clear program information and courteous, timely connections to staff.

Recruitment and engagement activities meet goals established by the Manager and reflect resident needs.

Resident feedback is communicated promptly, and confidentiality and professional boundaries are maintained.

Minimum Qualifications

One to two years of customer service, community outreach, resident leadership, volunteer service, or related experience is preferred. An equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Residency in Oakleaf Forest is required for this position.

Special Requirements

• Subject to a background check and reference verification prior to hire.
• Must maintain confidentiality and adhere to NRHA’s code of conduct and ethics policies.

• Must be available for occasional evening or weekend outreach and community events within the assigned part-time schedule.

• Must complete assigned training in Jobs Plus program services, resident outreach, confidentiality, professional boundaries, documentation, and staff safety. Additional training may include trauma-informed service, motivational interviewing, and financial empowerment resources. Must learn the approved explanation of the financial incentive applicable to NRHA’s award and refer technical questions to designated staff.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to read and understand routine program materials, communicate clearly in writing, maintain basic records, and perform simple calculations.
• Understanding of residents’ employment, education, economic, and supportive service needs, with an emphasis on adults and working-age households.
• Ability to build trust and communicate respectfully with residents from diverse backgrounds, including individuals who may be hesitant to participate.
• Ability to encourage residents without judgment, maintain appropriate boundaries, and recognize when a concern requires staff or professional assistance.
• Ability to explain routine information clearly, listen actively, prepare basic reports, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Basic ability to use a computer, email, telephone, and approved data entry tools, or willingness to learn through provided training.
• Ability to organize outreach activities, manage assigned appointments and tasks, and work both independently and with the Jobs Plus team.
• Ability to protect confidential information and exercise judgment and initiative within established procedures.
• Ability to learn NRHA’s mission, policies, Jobs Plus services, enrollment procedures, and community outreach practices.

Physical Requirements

Work is performed in an office and throughout the Oakleaf Forest community, including resident outreach and indoor or outdoor events. Duties may involve sitting, standing, walking, communicating with others, using a telephone or computer, and occasionally lifting or moving materials up to 20 pounds. Essential functions may be performed with reasonable accommodation.

NRHA will consider equivalent substitutes for education and/or experience, provided that the candidate can demonstrate that he/she has obtained the knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the job.

NRHA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. The compensation offer will be determined by the candidate's work history and skill set. Benefits include VRS retirement, medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; long-and short-term disability insurance; tuition reimbursement options; public service loan forgiveness, and much more.

Drug Free Workplace: NRHA maintains a drug free workplace.

VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local law. We value diversity and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.