Community Outreach Specialist

POSITION TITLE: Community Outreach Specialist STATUS: Exempt; FT Grade: 3

DEPT: Youth and Family Potential PROGRAM: Strong Families Suburban SALARY: $47K-$54K/yr Reports to: Family Services Manager

SUPERVISES: N/A

SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for the coordination and implementation of overall outreach targeting families with children ages birth to five in the Willowbrook community. Working together with Willowbrook Coalition partners, this position’s responsibility is to demonstrate expertise in engaging diverse stakeholders in the community. They will be responsible for facilitating meetings and workshops and connecting children and families to high-quality early education opportunities and resources.

COLLABORATES WITH: Collaborates with Willowbrook Coalition partners, diverse stakeholders in the community, and YWCA staff.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Collaboration and Communication

• Facilitation of Willowbrook Corner Coalition
  • Co-lead meetings and align coalition partners toward a common vision and create goals and action plans for collective impact.
  • Collect existing partner data and synthesize for decision making.
  • Collaborate in planning Willowbrook Coalition Community Events.
  • Provide curated, quality resources for partners to incorporate into their programs.
  • Participate in existing activities to reach families in the Willowbrook community.
• Plan and oversee training for providers and the Willowbrook Community.
• Align efforts with Birth to Five and other grant deliverables.
• Attend other team and community meetings as needed
• Seek to include home visiting programs, daycare centers, PFA, home-based childcare providers, health care professionals, and others serving young children in Early Childhood and wider Willowbrook collaborative work. Plan and oversee Willowbrook play groups.
• Assist in the development of an overall outreach strategy, to increase enrollment of families in Early Childhood education programming, including Preschool for All, home visiting through Prevention Initiative, Parent Mentor Home Visiting, and other Center-Based services.
• Identify holes in existing data and gather new data through community surveys and other methods.
• Serve as community lead for the rollout and implementation of Basics in Willowbrook Community.
  • Educate Willowbrook Coalition partners, medical facilities, businesses, etc about The Basics.
  • Enroll families at community events and supporting partners as they enroll families.
  • Provide resources and tools around The Basics.
  • Maintain storage and inventory of The Basics kits (submit supply requests).

• Utilize IRIS system to provide appropriate referrals and intakes as needed.
• Educate and connect community partners with IRIS referral system.

Paperwork and Reporting

• Provide monthly data reports detailing the enrollment status of early childhood programs, referrals, Basics enrollment, prenatal outreach, and attendance at community events.
• Maintain up-to-date electronic data information.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED: Other duties outside of the responsibilities of the position may be assigned, whether for a project, special needs task, or other assignments, or participating in collaborations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of one year of experience in Early Childhood Care and Education, Community Development, or a related field required.

• Program management experience preferred.

• Marketing and collaborative experience in community outreach.

• Strong interpersonal skills and collaborative skills, culturally competent, comfortable working with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

• Effective oral and written communication skills.

• Effective management of shifting priorities and the need to respond effectively to crises and changing circumstances, require adaptability and time management skills.

EDUCATION: Bachelor's or Master's degree in early childhood or related field required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The essential functions of the position require the operation of computers and other office equipment and movement between offices. The noise level is usually moderate. Movement requirements include walking, stooping, or kneeling. There may be a need to reach or to lift objects, such as packages or supplies. Communication needs include seeing, hearing and speaking. There will be periods of sitting, holding a telephone, and using computers. Must be flexible working remotely and in-person based on community and agency needs. Reasonable accommodation will be made for an incumbent to meet the essential responsibilities of the position.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: N/A

WORK SCHEDULE: Ability to work a flexible schedule, and travel within the DuPage County area. Monday through Friday 8 am – 4 pm with some nights or weekends needed based on the program’s needs.