Community Engagement Specialist (6636)

Mercy House; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 27,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercy House in Santa Barbara, CA is seeking a Community Engagement Specialist to support the Development Team in fundraising, outreach, and volunteer services. The role focuses on building community partnerships and coordinating outreach activities.

Responsibilities include recruiting volunteers, coordinating events, and managing in-kind donations to advance Mercy House’s shelter and support programs. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred, with strong communication and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field preferred.
• Two years of direct life experience with homeless, low income and diverse populations welcome.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and oversee Community Outreach opportunities with congregations, service groups and businesses.
• Represent Mercy House at Community Outreach Events and build partner relationships.
• Oversee recruitment, interviewing and training of volunteers and report volunteer hours.
• Coordinate in-kind donation efforts and donor recognition.
• Attend staff meetings and participate in organizational planning and events.

Skills

Community outreach

Volunteer coordination

Donation coordination

Public relations

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field

Tools

Volunteer platform

Job description

Job DetailsJob Location: Santa Barbara, CA 93103Education Level: Not SpecifiedSalary Range: $24.00 - $24.00 HourlyJob Category: Shelter ServicesStatus: Full-Time, Non-Exempt | Payrate: $24.00/Hour |Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm

Job Summary: The Community Engagement Specialist is responsible for assisting the Development Teamwith the implementation of existing components and the creation of new components to Mercy House’sfundraising plan, community outreach, and volunteer services.

I. Community Outreach

• Coordinate and oversee Community Outreach opportunities with Congregations, Service Groups,Corporations, and other community groups
• Represent Mercy House at Community Outreach Events
• Seek out community partners that will support Mercy House
• Meet on a regular basis with community organizations to ensure a strong relationship ismaintained
• Support all fundraising events: Spring Gala “Living with Heart”, Golf Tournament, etc.
• Seek out community support to be represented on our Regional Advisory Council
• Create and sustain relationships with city staff, community organizers, local business leaders, andchurch partners for the sake of building out a fundraising plan for the shelter.

II. Volunteer Coordination

• Oversee recruitment, interviewing, and training of volunteers
• Oversee volunteer placement and performance
• Responsible for reporting on volunteer/ donation hours to management
• Recognize volunteer achievements
• Create marketing content from volunteer groups for public relation purposes
• Ongoing creative input/development of new volunteer programs
• Oversee the coordination of holiday events and adopt a resident program and special volunteerprojects
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of volunteer platform
• Lead volunteer orientations and other recruitment events

III. Donation Coordination

• Obtain larger in-kind donations (ex: maintenance work, painting, Easter baskets, adopt a residentgifts, etc.)
• Oversee Match in-kind donation allocation and budget
• Manage tracking and thanking donors who provide in-kind donations
• Coordinate with programs to see what the major needs are.

VII. Miscellaneous

• Attend staff meetings and training workshops as needed
• Enhance job performance by applying up-to-date professional and technical knowledge gained byattending seminars and conferences and reviewing professional publications.
• Perform ad hoc projects as appointed by Supervisor

QualificationsRequirements:

Education andExperience

• Bachelor’s DegreeinSocial Work, Human Services,or related fieldis preferred
• Persons with less than a BA/BS degree but with at least 2 years of direct life experience working with long-term homeless, low income, and diverse populations and have a working knowledge of mental health andadditionalissues are welcome to apply

General

• Ability to work effectively with a diverse population; plan, organize and prioritize duties;performcrisis intervention as needed; clearly communicate information and instructions verbally and inwritten form; maintain a positive, professional and safe environment while on duty; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Dependability, responsibility, and the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully

Physical Requirements

• Ability tolift upto25pounds
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Core Competencies:

• Adaptability:Ability to adjust to different perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds, recognizing the diverse interconnectedness of individuals and communities
• Compassion:Demonstratesempathy and understanding towards others, acknowledging their interconnectedness and inherent worth
• Humility:Recognizes one’s own place within the larger interconnected web of humanity, showing openness to learning from others and acknowledging the contributions of all
• Build Trust:Excels in building andmaintainingtrust within teams and across organizational levels, consistentlydemonstratingintegrity and honesty in communication, actions, and decision-making
• Accountability:Takes responsibility for actions, admits mistakes, and continuously strives for self‑improvement, and encourages a learning mindset within the organization
• Continuous Improvement: Commits to personal and professional development, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, andencouragesa learning mindset within the organization
• Communication: Excels in communicating clearly and persuasivelythrough verbal, non‑verbal, and written communication, conveying complex ideas with clarity, and fostering open dialogue across all levels of the organization
• Confidence:Exhibitscourage in making bolddecisions,taking actionin the face of uncertainty, and embracing calculated risks on behalf of constituents
• CriticalThinking:Possessesthe ability to critically analyze existing policies related tohomelessness and constructively advocate for changes that address systemic injustices
• Collaboration:Builds and fosters positive relationships with diverse range of stakeholders, including clients, coworkers, community organizations, and affected communities and effectively working toward the shared goal of ending homelessness
• Drive Change:Understands and embodies that every action is an opportunity to be innovative and draw ideas from others; implements valuable change toforwardour mission and shares the “why’s” behind changes