Community Engagement Coordinator

POSITION TITLE: Community Engagement Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY: As the Community Engagement Coordinator, you will develop and coordinate community outreach activities, raising awareness for our mission and enhancing the community’s knowledge of our services. Through a strengths-based, empathy-forward approach, you will build trusting relationships within the business, civic, faith, and other communities to encourage individual and group engagement in support of the Shelter’s programs and services. You will also recruit, manage, and oversee volunteers for agency activities. You are a confident public speaker and group facilitator who embodies empathy, a spirit of collaboration, and a commitment to the mission of the Shelter.

Strong organizational and time management skills are essential, along with the ability to learn new software and databases. A commitment to trauma-informed care and harm reduction principles is crucial for success in this role. 

SUPERVISOR: Deputy Director

SUPERVISEE(S): Volunteers

CLASSIFICATION: Salaried, exempt

SCHEDULE: Full-time, 36-40 hours per week (no more than 3 weekend days per month; no more than 8 hours per week after 4:00 PM)

LOCATION: On-site at Outreach Center; on-site at Residential Facility at least 8 hours per week to support volunteers (undisclosed location within Charlottesville area); and travel within Planning District Ten (City of Charlottesville and Counties of Albemarle, Greene, Louisa, Nelson, and Fluvanna)

ANNUAL SALARY: $62,500

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: This role requires frequent travel within Planning District Ten. Mileage or cost reimbursement for all travel is provided. Additionally, all Shelter for Help in Emergency Staff are required to pass the organization’s Suitability to Work with Minors Policy which requires fingerprinting and criminal background checks. Regardless of the stage of the hiring or employment process, the Shelter for Help in Emergency will rescind an offer or terminate employment if the results of the fingerprinting and criminal background checks do not comport with the Suitability to Work with Minors Policy.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Consistently embody the values of the Shelter for Help in Emergency when interacting with human beings 

1. Practice and promote antiracist, trauma-informed, person-centered, strengths-based, and harm-reducing responses to human beings 
2. Communicate assertively, clearly, thoroughly, and with solutions in mind 
3. Foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, excellence, and mutual support and respect
4. Maintain impeccable confidentiality of client identities and facility location 
5. Promote nonviolent speech and behavior
6. Demonstrate ability and willingness to disagree constructively while options are being considered, and to then fully commit to the ultimate decision, even if it isn't the decision you would have made 
7. Provide feedback to team members that is truthful, timely, specific, and non-judgmental and receive feedback with curiosity, respect, and a commitment to continuous growth and professional development 

Enhance community education and awareness of the Shelter’s mission, services, needs, and volunteer opportunities

1. Provide staff support to community awareness activities that are developed and facilitated quarterly by the Prevention Advocate
2. Participate in other agencies’ community awareness events that are relevant to the Shelter’s work, prioritizing events that focus on serving community groups with historically oppressed identities 
3. Solicit opportunities to speak to business, civic, faith, and other communities with a variety of backgrounds and interests
4. Coordinate and lead tabling events at local fairs, festivals, etc.
5. Maintain and regularly update an annual outreach calendar and community contact list, prioritizing Shelter representation at events that serve historically oppressed communities
6. Seek out and build relationships with potential new community partners for volunteer and community education purposes, prioritizing connections with partners that hold historically oppressed identities 

Recruit, train, and provide ongoing support to volunteers

1. Coordinate the Shelter’s volunteer program by identifying needs across departments, developing role descriptions, and implementing inclusive recruitment strategies
2. Facilitate the volunteer onboarding process, including screening procedures, orientation, and initial and regular training sessions in collaboration with team leaders
3. Create and manage volunteer schedules to support Shelter programs, events, and projects, and serve as the primary point of contact and supervision for volunteers, offering on-site and remote support as needed
4. Maintain accurate records through the volunteer database and ensure effective communication and engagement through tools such as the biweekly volunteer newsletter
5. Build strong, supportive relationships with volunteers through ongoing check-ins and feedback, reinforcing a culture of empathy, safety, and commitment to the Shelter’s mission

Event planning, production, and marketing 

1. Plan, market, and execute outreach and awareness events—including DVAM Vigil and other DVAM events, Mock Star’s Ball, Adopt-a-Family, and Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month events—by managing event logistics, coordinating the design and distribution of marketing materials, and leading publicity through social media, traditional media, and local networks
2. With Development Manager, identify in-kind and monetary donation needs for outreach and awareness events
3. Manage outreach and awareness event supply inventory and restock as needed 
4. Support the Development Manager with planning and production of fundraising events, including the annual 5K 

Departmental collaboration

1. With supervisor, provide and receive regular feedback and updates, including at weekly check-ins
2. Serve as member of Community Engagement Team and regularly attend team meetings
3. Contribute to the development and refinement of Community Engagement Team policies and procedures 

Interdepartmental collaboration

1. Attend and actively participate in monthly staff meetings 
2. Coordinate with Development and Administrative Teams on donation activities and grant reporting/applications

Interagency collaboration

1. With Client Services and Community Engagement Teams, conduct ongoing outreach to community partners to establish and foster a network of resources, supports, and services relevant to organizational needs
2. Stay up to date on community partner events and programs

Participate in and pursue professional development opportunities

1. Seek out professional development opportunities relevant to role and responsibilities as well as to the Shelter for Help in Emergency’s mission
2. Attend training assigned by supervisor 
3. Stay up to date on best practices and trends relevant to role and organization

While the Shelter for Help in Emergency aims to create job descriptions that are as comprehensive as possible, they must occasionally be revised to account for changing trends and emerging needs. Position holders will be informed and professionally supported any time revisions must be made.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrated public speaking and group facilitation skills
• Compassion for all people, especially those in crisis
• Naturally resourceful and curious 
• Experience working with humans of diverse racial, linguistic, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Ability to constructively provide and receive feedback
• Ability to maintain perspective and exercise wise decision making in novel situations 
• Understanding of boundaries and self-care practices and ability to consistently implement them 
• Ability to improvise and adapt to changing circumstances 
• Comfortable with computers and able to learn new software programs including databases 
• Reliable, punctual, detail-oriented, and organized 
• Driver’s license and personal vehicle not required but must have access to reliable transportation

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience working with and for humans in crisis (in either a paid or volunteer capacity)
• Experience coordinating events and volunteer activities
• Understanding of the power and control dynamics of intimate partner violence