Community Partnership Specialist

JVS Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 46,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A non-profit organization in Boston seeks a Community Partnership Specialist to enhance community collaborations and support clients in overcoming barriers to success. The role involves building relationships, conducting outreach, and managing partnership portfolios, with an emphasis on improving client access to services. Ideal candidates will have a degree in a related field and experience in community engagement. Bilingual proficiency in Haitian Creole and/or Spanish is strongly preferred. Offers a competitive salary between $46,000 - $51,000 annually.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of community engagement or direct service experience.
• Bilingual proficiency preferred in Haitian Creole and/or Spanish.
• Knowledge of workforce development organizations in Greater Boston area.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with partner organizations.
• Represent JVS at community and partner events.
• Communicate effectively with clients and coaches.

Skills

Community engagement

Relationship building

Customer service

Communication

Education

Associate or Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft 365 suite

Job description

About Us:

JVS is a non‑profit, non‑sectarian agency. Our mission is to empower individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers and to partner with employers to hire, develop and retain productive workforces.

JVS provides a broad range of services including adult education, skills training, job readiness training, job placement and support, and access to post‑secondary education. JVS assists employers in their search for well‑qualified job applicants and their initiatives to upgrade the skills of their incumbent workforce.

About the Opportunity:

Under the direction of the Lead Career Coach, the Community Partnership Specialist (CPS) works to build reciprocal relationships with community‑based organizations that can be referral partners for JVS clients who need resources to assist with barrier removal and who can refer their clients to JVS for workforce development services. This position focuses primarily on barrier removal support, where the CPS will build knowledge and resources to connect coaches and clients to the services they need to remove barriers to successful program participation and completion. This role also includes outreach and partnership development, including representing JVS at job and skills training fairs and other tabling opportunities. The Community Partnership Specialist manages a portfolio of partnerships and works to increase the organizations’ involvement with JVS. They also work directly with JVS coaches and clients to connect them with the barrier removal services that they seek, facilitating referrals to community partners as needed.

Bilingual or additional language proficiency strongly preferred in Haitian Creole and/or Spanish.

Essential Functions, Skills and Knowledge

Builds Relationships, Collaboration and Teamwork:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with partner organizations and serve as the primary point of contact through routine communication (i.e. meetings, calls and emails) as well as event participation.
• Give presentations at community-based organizations (CBOs) we partner with, and at events in the community including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Represent JVS at community and partner events by staffing a table, helping potential clients complete the Universal Intake Form, giving out JVS swag and program flyers and answering questions.
• Work directly with staff across the agency to problem‑solve and deliver barrier removal strategies and solutions for their clients, aimed at long‑term stability for clients.
• Provide technical support and guidance to JVS staff to assist them with navigation of barrier removal access procedures.
• Stay up to date on JVS programs and seek out feedback from program teams to aid in developing new partnerships and improving referral systems.
• Support and promote the mission and philosophy of JVS both internally and outside the agency.
• Work effectively with other program and administrative staff.

Accountability and Results Focused:

• Troubleshoot unsuccessful referrals and make system adjustments when possible.
• Seek out and develop new partners for emerging service needs.
• Ensure all key data is entered into relevant data tracking systems is accurate and complete.
• Generate strategy and solutions in response to unforeseen and planned changes, setbacks, and challenges.

Administrative/Communication:

• All partner organizations, including their contacts, and all interactions with them are entered into Salesforce within 48 hours.
• Using provided rubric, all partner organizations are leveled and ideas of how to move partners up a level are shared with Lead Career Coach.
• Communicate regularly with coaches about open barrier removal cases and track all interactions in Salesforce.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing with compassion and professionalism.
• Participate in meetings, in-service training, team‑based projects, committees.
• Communicate regularly with Supervisor to ensure smooth delivery of services.
• Exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

EducationandExperience Required

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in communications, Business/Marketing, Human Resources, Human services, social work, Education, or related field, or equivalent (4 years) experience.
• 1‑3 years of community engagement or direct service experience, ideally in the Greater Boston area.
• Bilingual, bicultural strongly preferred in Haitian Creole and/or Spanish.
• Working knowledge of adult education, social service and/or workforce development organizations in the Greater Boston area preferred.
• Excellent relationship building skills, including the ability to interact with a diverse range of colleagues.
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to interact with and assist a multi‑cultural customer base, including those with low levels of English proficiency and limited educational backgrounds.
• Demonstrated success in partnership building.
• Demonstrated success in performance tracking, maintaining a contact database, or similar.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 suite.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

$46,000 - $51,000 a year

Please submit a cover letter with your application.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. JVSis an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Qualified minorities, women, veterans, sexual orientation, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (Posting Purposes:EOE/M/F/D/V/SO)