Community Outreach & Recruitment Specialist

UNKNOWN; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Telamon|TRC is seeking a Detail-oriented outreach specialist to recruit eligible children and pregnant women for Head Start in the Grand Rapids area. You will serve as the first point of contact, preparing intake forms and documenting eligibility while connecting families with agency services.

The role requires strong communication, the ability to build relationships with community partners, and a commitment to trauma-informed care.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to operate online client management systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead outreach and recruit eligible children and pregnant women for Head Start.
• Explain eligibility, enrollment policies to families and partners.
• Prepare intake/enrollment applications and document eligibility information.
• Coordinate services for families and assist with scheduling and paperwork.
• Develop and maintain recruitment plans and partnerships with community entities.

Skills

MS Office

Verbal & written communication

Bilingual ability

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Online client management systems

Job description

<- Back to Jobs

Department

ECFS

Location

MI200 - MI ECFS Program Office (Grand Rapids, MI)

Position Type

Seasonal Non Exempt

Salary

$18.35 - $21.21 an hour

Requisition

0000370

Open Date

08/31/2026

Close Date

Description

TELAMON|TRC COMMITMENT TO TRAUMA INFORMED CARE

Telamon|TRC has taken steps to shift our organization into a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) model. This changes our perceptions about the individuals that we work with, employees and customers, including families and children. A trauma-informed system of care provides services that empower employees and customers, including families and children, to feel safe, welcomed and engaged at all levels of organizational interaction. Exchanges that could be potentially retraumatizing, or trigger traumatic reactions require thoughtfulness and non-judgement. Ongoing, as an organization, we collaborate to educate employees about the effects of violence, victimization and trauma on individuals. This model supports a culture of safety for employees and customers, including families and children.

POSITION SUMMARY

Conducts outreach and recruits eligible children and pregnant women (if applicable) to participate in Head Start. Serves as the first point of contact for connection to the agency. Prepares intake/enrollment applications, documents eligibility information, and determines eligibility for the program. Participates in the enrollment and selection of eligible children and pregnant women. Acts as a link between families, community partners, and the Agency to increase access to, utilization of, and retention of program services.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Leads recruiting efforts for program participation for potential children and pregnant women in the community, tailoring recruitment activities to meet the needs and schedule of prospective families.
2. Communicates the program’s eligibility, selection, and enrollment policies and practices to families, other service providers, and the public.
3. Prepares intake/enrollment applications, collects and documents eligibility information, and determines eligibility for the program.
4. Provides information and education to community entities about available Agency programs and other resources. This can be done in person, by telephone or in a group presentation format.
5. Develop relationships by promoting programs with entities, community-based organizations, and employers. This involves, but is not limited to, collaboratively creating Memorandums of Understanding with agencies, tracking referral outcomes, assessing impact of community collaborations, and participation in community action meetings.
6. Conducts assessments and identifies qualified participants to complete the registration and enrollment process.
7. Participates in selection of eligible participants, as needed.
8. Coordinates services for families and assists them with scheduling appointments and completing paperwork.
9. Plans and participates in outreach activities. Attends assigned outreach events based on state-wide recruitment strategies.
10. Partners with other resource agencies and provides families referrals based on needs. Assists with offering resources to ineligible families.
11. Leads development and annual updates of recruitment plan and maintains and tracks data in relation to recruitment activities, referrals, enrollments, partnerships, training, etc.
12. Implements policies, procedures, and systems for Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, and Enrollment in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and the Head Start Act.
13. Meets federal, state, and program documentation requirements by maintaining accurate, objective, complete, timely, and well-organized child and family records.
14. Ensures the mobilization and documentation of matching/in-kind funds.
15. Protects the safety of children by ensuring the implementation of active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.
16. Works in cooperation with supervisor to develop and document progress on professional development plan. Actively engages in professional development activities to increase qualifications in accordance with Corporation’s Core Values.
17. May require flexibility, including working evenings and weekends, to participate in program events, training, outreach and recruitment, and other program activities.
18. Participates in staff and parent meetings, committees, center events, and training sessions as determined by supervisor.
19. Must have the ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.
20. May translate as needed.
21. Perform all other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

SAFETY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensuring a secure workplace is a collective effort. All employees are responsible for adhering to established safe work practices and completing all mandatory safety training by the assigned due date.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no direct supervisory duties but is expected to train or explain work procedures to others.

ROLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience Requirements

• High school diploma (or G.E.D.) is required.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in a role that required related skills such as excellent communication skills
• Must have own transportation, a valid driver’s license, and vehicle insurance.

Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to independently navigate on-line client management systems.
• Bilingual ability is preferred, and may be required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
• Ability to present information to small or large groups in a clear and concise manner.
• Organization, attention to detail, and time management in maintaining records and documenting services.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Work is performed mostly in the community, in a variety of settings.
• Driving/sitting for prolong periods of time.
• Standing and walking for prolong periods of time.
• Sitting, walking, stooping, squatting, lifting (up to30 lbs.), carrying, pushing, and climbing.
• Frequent exposure to adverse weather conditions.
• Exposure to dust and dirt.
• Subject to extended periods of sitting and exposure to computer screen.
• Keyboarding and data entry, use of telephone.
• Conduct outreach and home visits to customer residences, exposure to potentially unsafe environments, climb stairs.

Background Checks

• All employees are subject to both a pre-hire and an annual background check. Specific rules by Area of Focus will indicate whether a state or federal fingerprint background check (or both) is required and the frequency. A fingerprint background check may suffice for a regular background check. Additional background checks may be required such as the Child Abuse and Neglect State Registry, and the Sex Offender Registry.

Positions that Require Driving

• Telamon|TRC employees that are required to drive a personal vehicle for work-related duties are to meet the auto insurance liability requirement. The minimum limits required are $100,000 each person bodily injury, $300,000 each accident bodily injury and $50,000 property damage. The insurance liability requirement covers use of an employee’s personal vehicle.
• Telamon|TRC employees that drive a company-owned/rental vehicle must maintain a satisfactory annual motor vehicle record check.
• Must have own transportation, a valid driver's license, and vehicle insurance.

Exempt : No

Type : Regular Full Time Non Exempt

Area of Focus : ECFS

Location : NC100

Skills

Attachments