Community Engagement Specialist

Salary $45,000- $55,000

Position Summary:

Children's Aid is seeking a professional to serve in the role of Community Engagement Specialist at PS 152M Dyckman Valley Community School in the Washington Heights section of NYC. The Community Engagement Specialist's approach calls for developing and maintaining effective partnerships with community-based organizations and businesses, government agencies, and community leaders that support and sustains programs and services for the children and families of PS 152M. Additionally, the Community Engagement Specialist plays a critical role in ascertaining resources, and working closely with the Community School Director, identifying assets as well as unmet needs in the school and surrounding community.

Essential Duties:

• Collaborate with PS 152M leadership to create a comprehensive study of local resources.
• Form goal-oriented partnerships with community agencies, faith-based organizations, social service agencies, healthcare providers, and local businesses to support PS 152M engagement plans.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships both internally within Children's Aid at PS 152M and externally with other CA divisions.
• Utilize partnerships to organize special projects and events that promote access to programs and services within CA, partner schools, and community organizations.
• Create impactful presentations and communication materials to promote PS 152M programming during meetings at schools, District 6, public advocacy events, funder visits, and conferences.
• Collaborate with PS 152M CA leadership, CA advocate counselor, and school parent coordinator to design print materials and other communications that promote programs and services to families and recruit youth with unmet needs.
• Convene and facilitate monthly meetings for all PS 152M programs and services in collaboration with program leadership.
• Work with the CA Family and Community Engagement Coordinator to track engagement performance metrics and prepare data reports documenting community engagement.
• Plan and implement an annual Community School Forum event that gathers families, students, staff, and community members to provide feedback and share their vision for the school's future direction.
• Review, analyze, and report on Community School forum survey outcomes to the Community School Director in collaboration with the CA Family and Community Engagement Coordinator.
• Provide support to SU Campus programs and services as needed.
• Organize regular meetings to continuously develop partnerships and build rapport internally and externally, ensuring sustained CA impact with children and families.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• 1-2 years' experience in community engagement, non-profit partnerships, or community organizing preferred.
• Dedicated and passionate about working with families and children
• Bilingual Spanish/English required

Key Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Accurate record keeping skills and organizational abilities
• Experience and proficiency with data/reports preferred
• Ability to work independently, demonstrate sound judgment, multitask, and take initiative
• Tech savvy with strong proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children's Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Children's Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children's Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy. The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.