Outreach & Community Engagement Specialist - Villa of HOPE : Job Details

JOB TITLE: Outreach & Community Engagement Specialist POSITION GRADE: 81 ($20.90 - $35.60 commensurate with education and experience)DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: Community Crisis Diversion/Hope on the Horizon SUPERVISOR: Hope on the Horizon Program Manager FLSA STATUS: non-exemptJOB SUMMARY:Under the general direction of the Hope on the Horizon Program Manager, the Outreach & Community Engagement Specialist will develop and lead community outreach efforts for our programs and services. This role is essential to our mission of connecting with underserved communities, fostering strong partnerships, and raising awareness of our resources, which include housing assistance, mental health support, educational services, and career development. The specialist will design and execute engagement strategies to increase program visibility, build relationships with community organizations, and ensure that individuals in need are aware of and able to access our services.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Community Outreach & Engagement: Develop and implement strategic outreach plans to raise awareness of Hope on the Horizon's programs among target populations. Conduct presentations, workshops, and informational sessions at community centers, schools, shelters, healthcare facilities, and other relevant locations to connect with individuals and families in need. Engage with community members and build trust to help identify gaps in services and areas for program improvement.Partnership Building: Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with local organizations, government agencies, businesses, schools, and faith-based groups to create referral networks and expand program reach. Act as the primary liaison with community partners, fostering mutually beneficial relationships that enhance service access and community support. Identify opportunities for partnership-based events, resource fairs, and joint initiatives to engage the community and promote shared goals.Program Promotion & Communications: Develop and distribute outreach materials, such as brochures, flyers, and social media content, to communicate program offerings and events to the community. Coordinate social media campaigns and website updates in collaboration with the communications team to maintain an active online presence. Assist in organizing and promoting community events, ensuring that messaging aligns with organizational goals and effectively reaches target demographics.Data Collection & Reporting: Track and report outreach activities, engagement metrics, and program referrals to assess the effectiveness of outreach strategies. Conduct regular assessments and gather feedback from community members to identify areas for improvement and adjust outreach tactics as needed. Compile and present reports on outreach outcomes to management, highlighting successes, challenges, and recommendations for future engagement efforts.Volunteer & Event Coordination: Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers for outreach events and community engagement activities. Organize and facilitate community events, such as resource fairs, workshops, and information sessions, ensuring smooth execution and positive community impact. Work collaboratively with internal teams to ensure that volunteers and event activities align with organizational goals and community needs.POSITION SPECIFICS Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Communications, Public Relations, Community Development, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Strong knowledge of local community resources, underserved populations, and barriers to service access.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and public speaking skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Flexible schedule, with occasional evenings and weekends for outreach events.

Experience:

• 2-4 years of experience in community outreach, engagement, or a related role, preferably within the nonprofit or social services sector.

Skills:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills required for advocacy, facilitating small groups, and meeting documentation requirements
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and electronic client records.
• Must be a self-starter, flexible and skilled in providing customer service.
• Effective and open communication, emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in partnership with other, including staff members across all departments and external to the agency
• Strong problem solving skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
• Working knowledge of TCI (Non -Physical), Safety In the Community, Functional Behavioral Approach and Motivational Interviewing
• Ability to develop staff through transparent conversations about performance and establishing goals
• Good group control skills; ability to anticipate issues within the milieu and manage crisis situations
• Ability to make sound decisions that are supportive of our clients.
• Mindset for growth and change.

Physical Demands:

• The following lists physical demands an employee will perform on a regular basis: standing, walking, sitting, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, climbing, and driving.

Travel:

• Valid NYS driver's license in good standing and has use of an automobile-will be traveling Monroe and surrounding counties

COMPTENCIES:Leading Self

• Character and Courage (Integrity and Trust)-
• Do the right thing, because it is the right thing, even when no one is looking. Truth to Power.
• Customer Focus
• Build positive relationships through communication and collaborative problem solving.
• Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Justice and Equity
• Believe in the dignity and humanity of all people to reach their full potential.

Leading Others

• Process Management
• Develop and monitor processes and organize resources to achieve desired results.
• Develop Self and Others
• Continually develop self and others capabilities to attain the highest level of performance possible.
• Managerial Courage
• Make difficult decisions, own those decisions, and have difficult conversations, all in the best interest of the agency.