Position Title: Bilingual Community Engagement Navigator
Location: 11821 East Freeway, Suite 500, Houston, TX 77029
Employment Type: Full-time, Hourly, Non-Exempt
Work Mode: In-Person
Reports to: Supportive Specialist Lead
Pay Rate: $19.23/hr - $21.63/hr

Why This Job Matters

The East Harris County Empowerment Council (EHCEC) is on a mission to improve the quality of life for individuals and families through economic development, educational enrichment, health and wellness, and community capacity building. The Community Engagement Navigator plays a vital role in making this mission a reality by empowering individuals and families to access critical services, achieve self-sufficiency, and overcome barriers to essential resources.

This isn’t just about completing applications—it’s about being a trusted resource, advocate, and bridge between the community and the services that can change lives. You will be responsible for providing hands-on client support, navigating local resources, facilitating community outreach, and ensuring that clients receive the assistance they need.

Your mission is clear: Support clients. Navigate resources. Empower the community.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Client Support & State Benefit Application Assistance

• Assist 208 clients in completing applications for state benefit programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs annually.
• Achieve a 70% approval rate, with at least 218 approved applications annually.
• Conduct 155 follow-ups, ensuring a 60% follow-up rate to track progress and support resubmissions annually.
• Ensure 100% compliance with application requirements, maintaining eligibility accuracy and data integrity.
• Maintain confidentiality for 100% of client records, ensuring compliance with HIPAA and state privacy regulations.

Resource Navigation & Coordination

• Connect 148 households to essential services, including housing, healthcare, food assistance, and employment programs annually.
• Assist in resubmission or appeal of at least 150 denied applications, increasing access to benefits annually.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of 13 application types, ensuring accurate referrals and benefits maximization.
• Develop 6 partnerships to increase resource referrals, improving service accessibility annually.
• Use data insights to improve service delivery, increasing application approval rates by 5% per quarter.

Community Engagement & Outreach

• Conduct targeted outreach to ensure 40% of applications come from new applicants.
• Represent EHCEC at least 6 community events per quarter, directly engaging at least 50 individuals per event.
• Collaborate with marketing to distribute educational materials reaching at least 500 potential applicants annually.
• Build community trust to ensure 80% of assisted households return for renewal applications.

Advocacy & Empowerment

• Identify 3 barriers and propose solutions to reduce application denial rates annually.
• Ensure 60% of clients maintain benefits for at least 12 months, supporting long-term financial stability.

Data Management & Reporting

• Accurately document 100% of client interactions, applications, and follow-ups in the program database.
• Track and report 363 applications processed, ensuring targets are met annually.
• Submit 100% of required reports on time, ensuring grant compliance.

Who This Job is For

This role is for someone who:

✅ Is passionate about helping underserved communities access and retain vital resources and services.

✅ Thrives in client-facing roles and enjoys building trust and engagement with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

✅ Can balance individual client needs with broader community engagement and outreach efforts.

✅Is a proactive problem-solver who takes initiative, tracks progress, and follows through on commitments.

✅ Values collaboration and works effectively with internal teams, data-driven strategies, and community partners.

This role is not for someone who:

❌ Prefers to work independently without direct client support or community outreach.

❌ Struggles to manage multiple applications, follow-ups, or data reporting in a fast-paced environment.

❌ Is uncomfortable with public engagement, including workshops, resource fairs, or advocacy efforts.

❌ Avoids taking ownership of program outcomes, including improving approval rates and reducing barriers to access.

What You Bring

✅ Demonstrated experience assisting clients with benefits applications, resource navigation, or social services experience.
✅ Must be fluent in both Spanish and English, including the ability to comfortably speak, read, and write in both languages.
✅ Valid Texas driver’s license and reliable transportation for client visits and community-based work.
✅ Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills—able to build trust, educate clients, and advocate for their needs.
✅ Ability to track and report outcomes, ensuring compliance with grant and organizational requirements.
✅ Proficiency in data entry systems and Google Suite applications for accurate reporting.
✅ Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed for community engagement and outreach.

What Success Looks Like

First 30 Days – Learning & Orientation

• Develop a deep understanding of EHCEC’s mission, values, and programs, aligning work with targeted application approvals, follow-up rates, and outreach goals.
• Build relationships with internal teams, clients, and community partners to enhance collaboration and increase referrals.
• Complete training on state benefit application processes, eligibility criteria, local resource networks, case management software, and compliance requirements.
• Shadow team members in client interactions, outreach activities, and application assistance to learn best practices.
• Ensure accurate data entry and documentation, maintaining 100% compliance with HIPAA and program regulations.

First 60 Days – Execution & Contribution

• Independently assist at least 50 clients with state benefit applications, ensuring a 70% approval rate through accurate documentation and eligibility screening.
• Conduct at least one targeted outreach event, engaging at least 75 individuals to promote EHCEC services and benefits access.
• Implement and maintain a structured follow-up process, achieving a 60% follow-up rate to track application progress and support resubmissions.
• Begin identifying denied applications (minimum of 30) and assisting with appeals and resubmissions to improve client success rates.
• Establish working relationships with at least three new local agencies to expand referral networks and increase accessibility to community resources.

First 90 Days – Ownership & Strategic Impact

• Lead at least two community engagement initiatives, resulting in measurable increases in client enrollment and access to services.
• Successfully assist at least 100 clients with state benefit applications, ensuring high submission accuracy and approval rates.
• Identify at least one barrier affecting client access to benefits and work with leadership to propose a solution or advocacy strategy.
• Provide data-driven insights and recommendations to refine outreach strategies, improve service delivery, and optimize follow-up success.
• Take full ownership of navigation responsibilities, ensuring consistent tracking of 363 applications annually and 100% compliance with reporting requirements.

What We Offer

We know that great work comes from happy, supported employees. That’s why we offer:

• Competitive Salary – We recognize and reward talent.
• Comprehensive Benefits – 100% employer-sponsored medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous PTO – 30 days plus 6 health and wellness days of paid time off annually.
• 401(k) Match – We match dollar-for-dollar up to 5%.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Confidential support for mental health, financial counseling, and personal wellness.
• Employee Snack Bar – Complimentary snacks and refreshments to keep you energized throughout the day.
• Career Advancement Opportunities – Ongoing professional development, mentorship, and leadership training to support your growth.
• Collaborative Culture – A culture built on collaboration, inclusivity, and shared success.
• Team Engagement & Well-Being – Annual retreats, quarterly team-building events, and a commitment to work-life balance.

Physical Conditions:
The staff person must be able to attend meetings on nights and weekends as needed. EHCEC is a collaborative work setting. Employees pitch in to help each other with responsibilities as needed. Team members will be expected to contribute to teamwork and a sense of collaboration.

Disclaimer:
This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the employer.

EHCEC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.