Community Outreach Specialist

Summary

The Community Outreach Specialist serves as a key member of the Strategic Communications & Engagement Department. This position coordinates and participates in community engagement, promotes culturally and linguistically appropriate services, and enhances agency-wide communication strategies to better serve individuals with developmental disabilities, with an emphasis on supporting the Latino community. The role also fosters collaboration across agencies, community-based organizations, and provides effective coordination of various special projects.

Essential Duties

1. In conjunction with the Director of Strategic Communications & Engagement and the Manager of Diversity & Inclusion, support Harbor’s internal and external communication and engagement activities, including responding to inquiries, communication with community groups, and the public, assisting with the development and review of communications and materials to ensure accessibility and cultural relevance, as well as participate in community outreach activities to promote awareness Harbor Regional Center services.
2. Develop and cultivate relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders, including self-advocates, families, service providers, Harbor staff, and community members from diverse communities to gather information and valuable input regarding unique language and cultural needs within Harbor's catchment area.
3. Disseminate relevant data, information and culturally relevant community resources to staff, individuals receiving services, their circles of support, and the community, including the development, design and implementation of outreach campaigns, publications, electronic newsletters, and social media.
4. Stay informed of national and regional news, trends, legislative initiatives, community resources, success stories, issues of interest to Harbor, and the developmental disability services community; and attend relevant and ongoing training to provide innovative solutions to complex challenges and improve service delivery.
5. Provide technical assistance to staff, service providers, individuals who receive services, their circles of support, and the community on resources.
6. Participate in meetings and training courses and may be responsible for presenting and communicating information and data in a variety of settings, including multi-disciplinary teams and systems.
7. Plan, organize, coordinate, implement and facilitate engagement activities and initiatives, including special events, while also collaborating with others across departments to provide support when needed.
8. Develop processes to collect, manage, and analyze data related to language and culturally sensitive services or needs. Responsible for maintaining records to ensure appropriate reporting to appropriate entities.
9. Gather feedback through various methods to improve accessibility of services to Latino and other diverse communities. Interview, facilitate listening sessions and focus groups, and survey individuals receiving services and their circles of support regarding the quality of services.
10. Regularly review, provide suggestions, and update Harbor’s website and Staff Pages with up-to-date resources and information.
11. Represent the agency in statewide and regional cultural specialist collaboration efforts and committees, which may include coordinating with the Department of Developmental Services, other regional centers, the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA), and other entities. Provides summary or updates directly to Manager and/or Director.
12. Maintain absolute confidentiality regarding individuals served and families in compliance with HIPAA regulations and Regional Center policies.

Secondary Duties

Performs related duties as required.

Environment/Physical Activity

The incumbent is in a non-confined setting in which they are free to move about at will. The environment for this position is mostly clean and comfortable but may include some minor annoyances such as noise, odors, drafts, etc. In addition, the incumbent spends time at group homes and other community facilities. The incumbent will be exposed to volatile and emotional individuals and their families.

In the course of performing this work, the incumbent will also be required to travel via personal vehicle or public transportation to other facilities, group homes, service providers, and community locations as needed. The incumbent:

• Will spend time sitting, utilizing the computer.
• Will spend time standing/walking throughout the facilities and group homes.
• May lift up to 15 lbs. periodically. If more, the incumbent must request assistance.
• May stoop or stretch to access file cabinets, shelves.
• May be grabbed, pushed or hit by an individual receiving services.

The individual in this position may operate any standard office equipment including telephones, copy machines, scanning equipment, computer peripheral equipment, etc.

Computer software may include any or all of the following:

• Microsoft Office including Word, Outlook, Power Point, Excel, Teams
• VirtualCHART
• Zoom
• Adobe Cloud
• Canva
• Word Press
• Social Media programs

The incumbent must be able to perform this job safely, without endangering the health or safety of themselves or others. Individuals with disabilities that may impact their ability to perform these duties are encouraged to meet with Human Resources to discuss options for accommodation.

Position Requirements

These specifications are general guidelines based on the minimum experience normally considered essential to the satisfactory performance of this job. Individual abilities may result in some deviation from these guidelines.

To perform effectively in this position, the incumbent must have:

• A master’s degree in human services, social work, psychology, public relations, or communications with at least two years of related experience is preferred. However, a bachelor’s degree and additional relevant experience may also be considered.
• Bilingual (Spanish) required.
• Excellent, positive interpersonal skills working with others from diverse cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and public speaking skills, including ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, with individuals and groups from a variety of educational and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary team members, including individuals with developmental disabilities, family members, service providers, and staff.
• Capacity to model positive behaviors and Regional Center values.
• A comprehensive working knowledge of the laws and regulations associated with Regional Center services.
• Understanding community organization and development of community networks for achievement of desired outcomes.
• Working knowledge of family systems and human dynamics, developmental disabilities, community resources, inclusive practices, and accessibility standards to address the needs of individuals who have a developmental disability.
• Strong problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to apply independent judgment in critical situations.
• Proven track record of ensuring a high level of accuracy and attention to detail while working under tight deadlines.
• Ability to be flexible and work in a fast paced, changing environment.
• Advanced computer skills to meet production demands of the job.
• Ability/flexibility to work varied hours including occasional evenings, nights and weekends.
• Knowledge of emergency procedures of the Regional Center.
• Current California driver license and State-required insurance required when using personal vehicle on Center business and a driving record acceptable to the organization and/or its insurance carrier.

Starting Salary Range: $69,722 - $77,584

Equal Opportunity Employer