Community Outreach Specialist

Edsi-9; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

EDSI is seeking a Community Outreach Specialist to serve as a visible ambassador across Berks County, building partnerships and promoting PA CareerLink® services. The role focuses on outreach events, job fairs, and community engagement to raise awareness and referrals.

The candidate will have a bachelor’s degree preferred and 1–3 years in business, training, or community work, with strong interpersonal and presentation skills; bilingual Spanish/English is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 1–3 years in business, training, teaching, sales, or community engagement preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Comfortable presenting information to diverse audiences.
• Must have or be willing to obtain a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with community partners to strengthen referrals.
• Conduct face-to-face and virtual meetings to discuss collaboration and services.
• Represent PA CareerLink Berks County at events to raise visibility.
• Plan and deliver outreach activities and pop-up events across Berks County.
• Engage job seekers and employers about PA CareerLink services and training.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Presentation skills

Team collaboration

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Title

Community Outreach Specialist

Salary

$45,000

Classification

Non-Exempt

Scope of Position

The Community Outreach Specialist serves as a visible ambassador for PA CareerLink® Berks County by building and maintaining community partnerships, increasing public awareness of services, and supporting access to workforce development opportunities across Berks County. This position operates within a unified, countywide outreach strategy, including CareerLink on the Move, and balances both relationship-building and direct community engagement to ensure consistent and strategic outreach coverage.

Essential Functions

• Build and maintain relationships with community-based organizations, educational institutions, municipal partners, employers, and other stakeholders to strengthen referral pathways and collaboration.
• Conduct face-to-face and virtual meetings with organizational representatives to discuss collaboration and promote PA CareerLink® services.
• Represent PA CareerLink® Berks County at community events, job fairs, resource fairs, chamber events, and partner meetings to increase visibility and awareness of services.
• Support the planning, coordination, setup, delivery, and follow-up of community-based outreach activities, including CareerLink on the Move, pop-up events, presentations, and recurring service locations across Berks County.
• Engage directly with job seekers and employers to provide information on PA CareerLink® services, training opportunities (including OJTs and ITAs), and clear next steps for accessing services.
• Coordinate with internal departments to promote Business Services, Training Services, Rapid Response, and other workforce initiatives, and refer employer leads and service opportunities to the appropriate team for follow-up.
• Support employer-focused outreach activities, recruitment events, job fairs, and community hiring initiatives in coordination with the Business Services Team.
• Assist with Rapid Response outreach and community-based service delivery for businesses and workers affected by layoffs, closures, or other workforce disruptions.
• Conduct onsite and offsite presentations and workshops related to training, employment, and re-employment services.
• Inform PA CareerLink® staff of supportive services available through community organizations to assist customers in overcoming barriers to employment and training.
• Connect community-based organizations with the PA CareerLink® website and support efforts to streamline referral processes.
• Develop and maintain a database of community organizations, partners, and contact information.
• Ensure outreach and partner resource materials are available and up to date for PA CareerLink® customers.
• Coordinate with the Outreach Team to share event details, community needs, partner updates, photos, and success stories that support timely and consistent outreach communications.
• Identify gaps in service access and opportunities to expand partnerships and strategic outreach coverage, with particular attention to underserved communities and populations across Berks County.
• Provide insight on outreach activities, partnerships, and trends for Market Intelligence Reports and internal planning.
• Assist in the PA CareerLink® resource area and support orientations and workshops as needed.
• Track outreach activities, contacts, referrals, event participation and outcomes; maintain required documentation; and submit timely reports to the Community Outreach Coordinator.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of PA CareerLink® programs, services, funding streams, and staff roles to appropriately guide customers and partners.
• Maintain flexibility to work non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed to support community events, employer activities, and outreach initiatives.
• Perform other duties and support special projects as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 1–3 years of experience in business, training, teaching, sales, or community engagement preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Comfortable presenting information to large and diverse audiences in a professional and clear manner.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability and willingness to travel to community-based events.
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends, with advance notice when practicable, based on the schedule of community events and outreach activities.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred but not required.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity Statement

EDS I is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Mission Statement

We must strive to create enthusiasm in our clients, see through their eyes, understand their needs and deliver more than they expect.

Why We Do What We Do at EDSI

• We believe we can help our customers overcome their most challenging obstacles.
• We believe in seeing through other people's eyes.
• We believe that we can make a difference in people's lives.
• We believe in meeting people where they are today and helping them to realize a better tomorrow.
• We believe in living our professional lives in service to others.

Company Overview

EDS I (Educational Data Systems, Inc.) is a national workforce development, training solutions and consulting company with a passion for helping great companies and communities train and retain great people. EDSI works with regions, employers and jobseekers to overcome their most challenging obstacles. Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, the company employs more than 800 people across the country. EDSI is a National Best and Brightest® Companies To Work For award winner. For over 45 years, EDSI has worked with workforce development agencies, regional partners and employers to assess and understand workforce development needs and deliver solutions to build better workforces. The company operates more than 120 contracts providing successful business services and jobseeker placement and retention services across the country. EDSI also provides world class training and consulting solutions to a variety of corporations, public entities and governmental agencies. Our history of success stems directly from our commitment to providing our clients with the absolute highest level of service through our diverse and talented team.