Community Engagement Specialist

Careers @Empower Community Care; New York (NY); On-site; USD 51,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and sick leave

Medical and dental insurance

Retirement plan

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Empower Community Care in Harlem, NY seeks a Community Engagement Specialist to lead outreach for the Atlas FFT team. The role serves as the first contact for potential referral partners and connects clients with voluntary therapeutic programming and resources.

You will build strategic partnerships, engage with community members at events, and coordinate with program leaders and therapists to support participants and their families. Equal opportunity employer with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required.
• Experience with the criminal justice system as a returning citizen; not under supervision.
• Experience mentoring high-risk populations.
• Understanding of pre-trial or re-entry programming and related needs.
• Familiarity with issues like homelessness, substance use, unemployment.
• Ability to connect to educational, vocational, internships, and employment opportunities.
• Must provide references.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic partnerships with neighborhood CBOs to generate referrals and resources.
• Collaborate on outreach strategies to increase awareness of Atlas programming.
• Attend evening and weekend events, conduct outreach, support borough initiatives.
• Engage with Atlas Initiative stakeholders and agency referral partners.
• Coordinate with FFT Director and therapists on participant engagement planning.
• Assist with crisis intervention, safety planning, and support as needed.
• Provide family outreach, referrals, and supportive services to participants' families.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Facilitation

MS Office

Multitasking

Record keeping

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

We are seeking a Community Engagement Specialist for its Atlas Functional Family Therapy (FFT) team. This position reports to the FFT Program Director. The Community Engagement Specialist is primarily responsible for conducting initial outreach in the community in multiple ways, including in person. The Community Engagement Specialist is the first and primary point of contact for potential community referral partners. The Community Engagement Specialist will also assist with connecting potential clients with voluntary therapeutic programming and resources.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• With leadership from the FFT Program Director, develop strategic partnerships with neighborhood CBOs to generate referral and resource partnerships
• Collaborate with the FFT Program Director on outreach strategies and activities with the community to build awareness of Atlas programming
• Engage and liaise with the community, including attending evening and weekend community events, conducting outreach, and supporting borough-based initiatives
• Engage with Atlas Initiative stakeholders, including model developers, and agency referral partners
• Collaborate with the FFT Program Director and FFT therapists on client engagement planning
• Assist with crisis intervention, support, and safety planning to program participants as needed
• Engage with participants’ families and other close connections; provide supportive services and referrals for participants’ families as needed

Degree & Experience Qualifications

• High School Diploma required
• Experience with the criminal justice system as a returning citizen from a Department of Corrections or House of Corrections in any State. It cannot currently be under any form of supervision. At least one year from release or disposition, desired
• Experience working with and mentoring high-risk populations
• Understanding of pre-trial or re-entry programming and the needs of citizens who have committed or are at high risk of committing a violent felony offense
• Understanding and personal experience with the criminal justice system, substance use disorder, homelessness, unemployment, and self-motivation
• Strong ability to connect to educational, vocational, internship/apprenticeships, and employment opportunities
• Knowledge of career exploration, case management, internships, and job search strategies is a plus but not required
• Must be able to provide references, required

Other Required Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills, facilitation skills, and the ability to connect with people with diverse and intersecting identities
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to perform multiple tasks effectively in a fast-paced, challenging and constantly changing environment
• Ability to organize and maintain detailed program records, complete necessary reports and meet prescribed deadlines

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All staff are expected to be committed to the mission, vision, and values of Living Redemption Community Development Corporation, which includes involvement in quality improvement activities and a willingness and ability to work within a culturally diverse environment
• Living Redemption is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply
• Any offer of employment is contingent upon receiving satisfactory references and approval of hire by applicable regulatory bodies, as appropriate
• Falsification or omission of relevant information in connection with any application for employment is grounds for denial or dismissal.

Hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm or 11:00am – 7:00pm (some nights and weekends)

Starting Salary: $56,650 Annually

Work Location: Harlem, NY

Benefit Status: This position is eligible for benefits, including paid vacation and sick leave, medical and dental insurance, retirement, life and disability insurance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Empower Community Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.