JOB TITLE: Community Outreach Specialist STATUS: Full Time

FLSA STATUS: Exempt CUSTOMARY HOURS: M-F, 8 hours/day

LOCATION: East Garfield Park HOURS/WEEK: 40 hours

DEPARTMENT: Community Outreach Services

DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Director of Community Outreach Services

DIRECTLY SUPERVISES: None

Mission

As stewards of the Vincentian spirit, employees of Marillac St. Vincent Family Services are committed to strengthening and empowering those most in need to reach their greatest potential. We fulfill our mission through quality programs for children, teens, families, seniors and homeless.

Core Values

Our employees commit themselves as individuals to live out the core values of integrity, excellence, creativity, advocacy, respect and empowerment in our daily work, as we serve the needs of others.

Integrity - Acting with transparency, humility and honesty

Excellence - Providing quality care with compassion

Creativity - Being continuously resourceful and inventive

Advocacy - Supporting the cause of those who lack resources for a reasonable quality of life

Respect - Recognizing our own value and upholding the dignity and value of all people

Empowerment - Providing skills and resources to achieve full human development

Team Behaviors

• Versatility – Understanding and appreciating different and opposing perspectives on an issue; adapting one’s approach as the requirements of the situation change; an eagerness for positive action; self-control; active listening.
• A collaborative work model – Cooperatively working and sharing responsibility; contributing to the group effort; realizing a sense of commitment and ownership in the success of the organization’s goals.
• Mutual accountability – Holds others accountable with their roles; provides and receives feedback and takes constructive action.
• Client/customer advocate – Identifies opportunities to improve quality of services; presents one’s self professionally.
• Protects confidentiality & privacy – Respects and protects information about all staff and clients.

General Summary

Under general supervision and in a team approach, provides full cycle support services to vulnerable populations including intake, establishing care plan, and successful service interventions to achieve individualized goals; oversee client choice food pantry distribution, and maintain community awareness about program services and availability.

Duties & Responsibilities

Impacting a poverty mindset through holistic personal, professional and career development awareness raising, resource provision and support across generations.

• 
  Coordinate and deliver person-centered support services including but not limited to participant engagement, goal development, and delivery of service interventions to support achievement of participant goals and expected program outcomes.
• Maintain accurate and timely participant files and documents as related to delivery of participant-specific services, such as, documentation of direct and indirect service delivery; case notes; and other requested and/or supporting documentation.
• Create and maintain a network of community partners that enhance supports available to participants and increase access to additional community-based services.
• Oversee monthly community resource events.
• Maintain collaborative working relationship with staff in other program departments to make wrap-around services accessible for adults, families, seniors, and other identified individuals.
• Develop partner relationships that will encourage Economic Stability in our communities
• Support with Food Pantry services, including but not limited to, engaging clients during food distribution operations on Wednesdays and/or Friday.
• Initiate and facilitate workshops related to community needs.
• Engage in ongoing education and professional development. Attend job-appropriate workshops and seminars as available.
• Travel to partnership sites in and around service area.
• Assist with program-specific projects as assigned by supervisor.

Job Requirements

Experience/Education

Minimum Bachelor’s degree with focus in human/social services, preferred. Minimum of 3 years related work experience with vulnerable populations.

Qualifications

Effective and Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to relate to a diverse population

Strong organizational and time management skills

Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team

Excellent communication and computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and data systems

Knowledgeable in navigating Benefits Application, Job Opportunities and Housing Resources

Language

Ability to read and speak English proficiently.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• Possess the ability to fulfill and any all office activities normally expected in an office setting, to include, but not limited to: remaining seated for periods of time to perform computer entry, participating in filing activity, lifting and carrying office supplies (paper reams, mail, etc.)
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Internal office space.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.