Community Specialist

Community Specialist

Summary: The Community Specialist is a high-level community-facing position providing opportunities for parents, caregivers and others to strengthen connections to each other and their communities. The Community Specialist will develop and implement a complex public program and awareness plan covering community issues and develop and implement an action plan to empower individuals to improve their quality of life. Additional responsibilities include creating and maintaining a network of community resources; creating systems to remove accessibility barriers for families; conducting needs assessments and providing outreach and community presentations.

Essential Duties:

• Assist with program start-up activities and subsequent (on-going) statistical, recording and reporting activities.
• Works collaboratively with First 5 Riverside Family Resource Center Staff and other Community Program Specialists to expand capacity and community services.
• Create network and demonstrate knowledge of available community resources including in home support programs and other supportive services.
• Develop strategies and interventions to remove barriers that prevent families from accessing services.
• Provide training to improve understanding of community needs.
• Attend select regional collaboration meetings.
• Develop information systems to provide resources and referrals to families.
• Conduct community outreach, presentations, workshops, and parent education.
• Provide advocacy for community members experiencing difficulties to develop skills needed to improve their quality of life and/or become self-sufficient and involved.
• Development of individual service plans and other case planning activities as needed.
• Participation and presentation at case reviews/disposition, case consultation, and staff meetings as needed.
• Manages, monitors and evaluates various program activities and outcomes with related budgets to insure program/contract compliance of goals and objectives. Implements corrective measures as required.
• Suggest, organize, and order give-away items and educational materials; and maintain an inventory of these supplies.
• Contributes to the evaluation of related program activities to ensure program/contract compliance of goals and objectives. Implements corrective measures as required.
• Tracks new funding and program initiatives related to young children and families and composes related correspondence, reports, and directives for use by the Administrator and designated staff members for internal planning and external communication/advocacy efforts.
• Actively participates in cross-team coordination meetings.
• Conduct community needs assessments.
• Performs public speaking activities.
• Punctual and regular attendance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• M.S/M.A in Social Work or related field and program supervision (2 years) preferred; or B.S/B.A with extensive experience considered
• Effective interaction and collaboration skills with community members, service providers and other partners.
• Valid CA Driver’s License and proof of automobile insurance
• TB test clearance
• Drug test clearance
• Ability to read and write English and to communicate at the level required for successful job performance.
• Ability to work flexible hours (as needed)
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred

Licenses & Certifications:

M.S/M.A in Social Work or related field; or B.S/B.A with adequate experience

CA Driver’s License

Proof of automobile insurance

Current and Clear DMV record

Physical & Mental Demands:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work under highly stressful deadlines
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to travel
• Ability to remain seated for long periods of time while working on computer.