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March 16, 2023

American YouthWorks seeks Community Engagement Specialist

CAREER TITLE: Community Engagement Specialist

LOCATION: AYW Operating Site, Houston, TX

DEPARTMENT: Conservation Corps

POSITION REPORTS TO: Houston and Baton Rouge Operating Site Director

POSITION SUPERVISES: None

CLASSIFICATION: Regular, Full-Time, Non-Exempt

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Community Engagement Specialist will contribute to the advancement of American YouthWorks (AYW) mission by developing and implementing a coordinated strategy to build, strengthen and deepen community relationships in Houston and surrounding areas. Their goal is to build awareness, visibility, understanding, and support of AYW’s mission and ability to contribute to the Houston community that will translate to ongoing improvements in participant, partner, and funder engagement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and basic tasks. Under general supervision from the Operating Site Director, the Community Engagement Specialist will perform the following functions:

  1. Collaborate with key departments and personnel to coordinate events, outreach, and engage the community to:
    1. Promote, coordinate, and communicate the program to local schools, community partners, youth centers, and career fairs;
    2. Plan and organize small events for current and potential new donors, partners, community members, and alums;
    3. Manage and send communications to donors, partners, community members, and alums for special events;
    4. Conduct community outreach by attending and participating in formal and informal community events in the Houston area;
    5. Plan and attend AmeriCorps mandatory service days in coordination with other AYW staff
    6. Assist and coordinate collaborative opportunities with other AmeriCorps programs in the Houston area.
  2. Coordinate and consult with Operating Site Director, Development Coordinator, and Creative Services Coordinator regarding marketing and public relations, which include:
    1. Updating the AYW website, other related sites, publications, and social networking with program-related content;
    2. Ensure public awareness activities convey a consistent message;
    3. Create and disseminate marketing materials throughout Houston and surrounding areas;
    4. Take photos at project sites and relevant events and maintain active localized social media accounts;
    5. Contribute to e-newsletter by supplying content and messaging to the development department and ensuring donors and partners receive it monthly.
    6. Write and disseminate press releases and media packages;
    7. Identify and pursue media opportunities and maintain relationships with key media;
    8. Serve as point of contact for media inquiries;
    9. Contribute to annual and strategic marketing and development planning;
    10. Strengthen and enhance community relationships and support through attending relevant social functions and establishing long-term relations with community partners.
  3. Development and Fundraising activities:
    1. Attend potential fundraising or partnering events as an AYW representative;
    2. Network with potential partners and funders at special events;
    3. Coordinate with Chief Development Officer (CDO) and Operating Site Director to develop and execute fundraising strategy and events;
    4. Coordinate with the Development team to ensure the donor database is updated with all Houston-related donors and contacts;
    5. Contribute to grants writing activities and materials with program staff;
    6. Provide regular updates on progress to CDO and Operating Site Director.
  4. Other duties as assigned.

RACIAL EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING (REDIB)

Promote continued organizational support of Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives. Seek to remove systemic barriers for underrepresented populations within the agency and our partnerships.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Required

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited University

EXPERIENCE: Demonstrated community outreach and engagement experience, including social, medical, and written communication as well as fundraising and/or Strategic planning abilities.Two or more years experience with project/event development, planning, and coordination.

EQUIVALENT EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Associate’s degree in the specified field of study and 3 years of the specified experience, OR High school diploma or GED, and 5 years of the specified work experience.

Preferred

EXPERIENCE: Two or more years of previous related experience in conservation and restoration programs, Working with a young and diverse population experiencing barriers to education and employment with criminal records and a variety of lifestyles, behaviors, cultural and spiritual practices; and working with contracts, reporting measurements, compliance, and, or working in a Conservation Corps or AmeriCorps model;

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE: Proficient in Microsoft Office applications; Proficient use of social networks, i.e., Facebook, Twitter, etc.

SKILLS: Ability to organize and execute complex projects; excellent oral and written communication; advanced organizational skills; web design.

ABILITIES: Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with all levels of management, staff, and community members; Ability to work well with a wide range of people; Ability to develop initiatives, prioritize, evaluate, analyze, and interpret information; Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment with an emphasis on detail; Possess a pro-active attitude; Cooperative and willing to assist others; Self-motivated and creative.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

HEARING: Hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information;

TALKING: Speaking clearly so others can understand you and the information you are communicating; will be required to convey detailed or important instructions or ideas accurately; talking in front of groups and, or providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and external partners via telephone, writing form, e-mail or in person provide guidance and direction to others, set and monitor performance standards

VISION: The ability to see details at a distance and, or at close range, within a few feet of the observer; will be required to read papers and books and to operate audio-visual office equipment and tools;

EXTENT FLEXIBILITY: Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs;

DYNAMIC/STATIC/TRUNK STRENGTH: The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue. Exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects; use of abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without “giving out” or fatiguing; may also restrain potentially violent individuals;

REPETITIVE MOTIONS: Walking; talking; frequent and regular movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers;

PHYSICAL STRENGTH: Exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, carry objects, or restrain individuals; sedentary work

VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT INTERACTION: Navigating and, or driving a personal vehicle or company vans; using a computer and computer applications to enter data or process information; Photocopiers and scanners.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

OUTDOORS: Environmentally controlled conditions, working in an office or shared office setting, working with others in a group or team; contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise), No hazardous conditions. May be required to work in hot, wet, cold, or other significantly unpleasant conditions, including active and non-active disaster work zones and areas;

ATTENDANCE: Monday – Friday, flexible 40-hour workweek; 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; 1-hour unpaid lunch break; occasionally weekends or after hours to meet deadlines or special projects and other events as needed;

TRAVEL: Partner cultivation and project planning purposes, AmeriCorps service sites, transporting corps members as needed, workshops, and training.

BENEFITS

American YouthWorks offers competitive benefits and leave packages including, on an annual basis:

  • 11 personal days;
  • 8 sick days;
  • 19 break days, taken throughout the spring, summer, and winter;
  • 16 holidays,
  • Employer contributions toward medical and dental plan;
  • Employer-paid Life, AD&D, and Long Term Disability;
  • Pre-tax programs for child and health care;
  • Supplemental income and additional voluntary life options
  • 403(b) retirement with employer contribution;
  • Employment service awards every 5-years;

APPLICATONS

To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to https://americanyouthworks.bamboohr.com/careers/90.

EOE

AYW is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and fostering an environment of respect and inclusiveness amongst all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alums are encouraged to apply.

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