Community Engagement Specialist Jobs

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Position Title: Community Engagement Specialist
Department: Youth Mentoring
Status: Full-time (38-hour work week), Non-Exempt Professional, Union Employee, Classification 5A
Agency Location: Based in Los Angeles
Working Location: Based in Los Angeles – combination of remote and office-based
We recognize that the diversity of the community we serve must be reflected in every aspect of our organization for JBBBSLA and Camp Bob Waldorf to have the greatest impact. Our commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion is vital to our mission and is essential for our success.
Join a forward-thinking organization that has been proven to make a positive impact on children’s lives. Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles (JBBBSLA), celebrating over 100 years of service in the greater Los Angeles area, is seeking a dynamic individual to join our innovative and collaborative team. JBBBSLA provides mentoring services, teen empowerment programs, college support, and year-round camp experiences at Camp Bob Waldorf. JBBBSLA is proud to have achieved a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator, their highest level of distinction. Our mission is to assist children in achieving their full potential through innovative, impactful programs.
Job Summary
The Community Engagement Specialist (CES) position has a key, front-facing and collaborative role in the Youth Mentoring department as part of the enrollment team. The CES has excellent interpersonal skills, handling inquiries for all children and volunteers and coordinating the pool of applicants from initial outreach through interview assignment. This includes conducting individual pre-screenings and group Info Sessions, executing multiple volunteer screening elements, and documenting all processes and communication in our workflow/database. The CES provides professionally documented observations and accurate data regarding candidates’ suitability in this first stage of the assessment process and ensures a smooth transition of constituents to the next stage of enrollment.
The CES is also a creative thinker with strong initiative and a keen ability to leverage opportunities for multiple purposes. They engage regularly with other parts of our community. They participate in volunteer and youth recruitment initiatives, conducting external presentations and supporting the Youth Mentoring Committee. The CES helps to source and distribute in-kind donations for events/match outings and coordinate our non-mentoring volunteer needs. Additional roles may include supporting parent/guardian engagement initiatives and our e-Newsletter.
While meeting and getting to know stakeholders, the CES listens for those who want additional or deeper involvement in the agency. They take note of others with connections that might yield a recruitment presentation opportunity, and still others who might donate tickets or gift cards for match outings. This highly interactive role is critical to the success of the department.
Essential Functions And Responsibilities
Enrollment

• Evaluate candidates and processes through the lens of youth protection, our top priority.
• Collaborate closely with the rest of the enrollment team for a seamless transition to the interview stage.
• Provide individual orientations and/or group Info Sessions to prospective volunteers and families, ensuring their understanding of our program and services and documenting all steps in the Matchforce database.
• Document and share impressions of constituents with enrollment team as part of the broader assessment process.
• Proactively reach out to non-responders, as well as to those who inquire but defer enrollment to a later time.
• Support Mentor Training as needed.
• Coordinate pre-screening for volunteers, including criminal background checks, fingerprints and other screening updates.
• Respond to all inquiries for the YM department, engaging each individual or family, determining how they wish to become involved, and offering immediate next steps, providing high-level customer service at all times.
• Coordinate reference check processes (oversee follow-through if outsourced and/or conduct reference checks as needed.
• Utilize Matchforce dashboards/workflows to thoroughly monitor, advance and document participants’ progress keeping enrollment processing time to a minimum.
• Support pool of RTBM (Ready-to-be-Matched) Bigs and Littles via RTBM Outreach at appropriate intervals.
• Provide external referrals and resources to those whose needs we can’t meet, or who may not be a fit for our agency.
• Ensure that all communication is documented professionally, and that enrollment records provide an accurate history with all data current and accurate.
• Conduct timely follow-up to ensure that process steps continue efficiently, setting a tone of forward momentum with all constituents.
• Provide reminders in advance of appointments.
• Provide monthly enrollment data/reports as requested.
• Collaborate with Event Coordinator and VP of Mentoring regarding the potential for additional programming in support of RTBMs.

Community Engagement (Other)

• Donated Activities
• Leverage new and existing relationships to identify individuals who might volunteer in
• Develop full knowledge of all agency programs/departments in order to redirect inquiries as needed, and to evaluate alignment with other agency opportunities.
• Leverage role and agency connections to identify opportunities for in-kind donations (e.g., sporting events, theatre tickets, etc.) in support of match outings or YM events.
• Non-Mentoring Volunteers
• Oversee distribution of donated activities, coordinating with Event Coordinator and other staff to provide support to those who are recommended or most in need.

other capacities within our department.

• Work with team to maintain current list of opportunities for non-mentoring volunteer

support in alignment with departmental needs in (e.g., to help administer
surveys, assist with events, etc.)

• Support for parent/guardian engagement initiatives.

Volunteer and Child Recruitment: Develop and/or support opportunities for recruitment of children and volunteers through a range of strategies:

• Conduct external presentations at recruitment or other community venues.
• Facilitate

internal Info Sessions (supporting recruitment and enrollment of Bigs and PGs).

• Participate in the Youth Mentoring Committee’s Recruitment Subcommittee
• Participate actively on the Youth Mentoring Committee (YMC)’s Recruitment Subcommittee
• Other duties as assigned.
• Generate geographic/demographic reports to help monitor our needs and select recruitment targets.
• Solicit and capitalize on opportunities for networking, collaboration and recruitment presentations: engage actively with stakeholders and cultivate community/partner relationships when opportunities present themselves.
• Adhere to a system of outreach for reengaging lapsed enrollees and former Bigs.

Skills And Qualifications
We are seeking a candidate with a strong belief in the Mission and Vision of JBBBSLA, as well as the following:

• Able to work effectively and sensitively with confidential information.
• Able and willing to work flexible hours (evenings and/or weekends as needed).
• High-level computer skills: proficiency in Microsoft Office, internet-based and database applications
• Strong initiative and networking skills
• Relationship management experience with youth and/or adult populations.
• Able to work successfully both in a team and independently.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required (fields related to social work, communications, marketing).
• Good judgment, able to make sound decisions and problem-solve effectively
• Strong commitment to quality and results with good attention to detail.
• Solid organizational skills, comfortable multi-tasking and able to shift priorities quickly when needed.
• 1-2 years of experience working with children/youth in social services, or in a customer service environment with a working understanding of child development and family dynamics.
• Highly collaborative workstyle with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills (oral/written).
• Comfort with public speaking (presenting, facilitating, training and/or recruiting) with adults.
• (Salesforce experience a plus).
• Working knowledge of the Los Angeles Jewish community.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, state-required auto insurance minimums and willingness to travel as necessitated by job responsibilities.
• Able to develop rapport with individuals and groups from diverse sectors.\ with ability to recognize and cultivate the potential for connections/partnerships.

Benefits Package: JBBBSLA offers a compensation package that includes a competitive salary range ($22 - $25/hour) commensurate with experience.
Generous paid vacation and sick leave plus three additional personal days, paid
federal and all no work Jewish holidays (avg. 13-19 paid holidays per year.)
Employer-paid benefits include 5% 403b retirement plan (after one year), paid
vision and dental insurance, paid life insurance (after one year) and paid
long-term disability insurance (after 60 days) paid Employee Assistance Program
(EAP). Other benefits include a generous portion of employee's medical premium
paid, voluntary 403b retirement plan, voluntary Flexible Spending Account
(FSA), Pet Insurance discounts, Legal and ID insurance discounts and
opportunities for learning and professional development.
We close early on Fridays in observance of Shabbat
creating a 38-hour work week. We enjoy a fun office environment (even on Zoom!)
and a fantastic team of people dedicated to the meaningful work we do.
To apply, please send resume and cover letter to ([email protected]), and
please enter Community Engagement Specialist in the SUBJECT line.
No phone calls, please.