Community Outreach Specialist - Big Brother Big Sister of Greater Los Angeles

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Manager of Community Outreach, the Community Outreach Specialist will play a critical role in identifying and recruiting volunteer mentors, particularly from BIPOC communities, to support youth served by BBBSLA. This part-time position requires an individual who is passionate about youth and committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). The Community Outreach Specialist will report directly to the Manager of Community Outreach and will be responsible for supporting outreach strategies including prospect research, event management, building relationships with community organizations and corporate partners, and representing BBBSLA at various events and tablings.

ESSENTIAL JOB ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The essential job activities 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.

Community Engagement:

• Assist in developing and maintaining relationships with local organizations, businesses, and educational institutions to promote BBBSLA's mission and recruit volunteer mentors.
• Serve as an ambassador, representing BBBSLA at community events, fairs, and meetings to raise awareness and attract potential mentors.
• Coordinate and participate in outreach activities, including external presentations, workshops, and networking events.
• Record and manage outreach activities in salesforce customer relationship management systems.
• Communicate effectively with partners and potential volunteers via both written and digital communication platforms.

Recruitment:

• Implement targeted recruitment strategies to increase the number of volunteer mentors in Los Angeles County, with a special focus on engaging men from BIPOC communities.
• Assist in the creation of marketing materials and campaigns to support recruitment efforts.
• Track and report on outreach activities and recruitment outcomes through salesforce customer relationship management systems.

Collaboration:

• Work closely with the Community Outreach Manager to organize outreach efforts in alignment with organizational goals and strategic priorities
• Collaborate with other team members to ensure consistent messaging and effective recruitment practices.
• Participate in regular team meetings and training sessions, and support agency events and activities.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and required skills. Job Description may be subject to change to meet the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required (KSA's):

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences or similar; OR equivalent work experience (4+ years in a professional environment supporting children and families)
• Experience working with BIPOC communities and organizations
• The candidate selected for this position must pass a fingerprint background check
• Viable transportation, valid driver license and auto insurance to meet job responsibilities such as recruiting events and meetings with community partners
• Assessment and relationship development experience with children and adults
• Professional demeanor
• Ability to effectively promote the agency's mission and vision, both internally and externally
• Excellent attention to detail and time management skills
• Proficiency in technical areas such as Microsoft Office
• Excellent writing skills
• Accurate and timely response in all communications
• Excellent oral communication skills reflecting solid customer service both in-person and via the telephone
• Comfortable with sensitive conversations with program participants
• Ability to use time effectively, focus on details, adapt to shifting priorities, and position and promote opportunities
• Ability to effectively collaborate with other staff and community partners
• Comfortable with people and social settings
• Comfortable with high performance standards
• Must possess the ability to effectively learn and utilize BBBSLA's online database systems for tracking and recording information
• Must be comfortable with public speaking
• Willing to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings periodically
• Willing and able to work with diverse populations
• Fluency level in Spanish is preferred, but not required

Must be flexible to accommodate job responsibilities:

• Passion for BBBSLA's mission and commitment to JEDI principles.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse communities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work flexible hours including weekends and evenings and access to reliable transportation
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, social media platforms, and customer relationship management systems.
• Comfortability with public speaking and networking.

COMPETENCIES:

• Customer/Client Focus-Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of fellow staff, volunteers, children, parents and agency partners; talks and acts with them in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationship with customers/clients and gains their trust and respect; views her/his role as adding value to the experience of volunteers and children in their match relationship; builds parental support for the match; deals effectively with diversity; demonstrates high degree of flexibility and adaptability.
• Listening-Practices attentive and active listening; has the patience to hear people out, can accurately restate the opinions of others even when he/she disagrees; understands child safety issues and is vigilant in recognizing signs of problems.
• Interpersonal Savvy-Relates well to all kinds of people; builds appropriate rapport; listens carefully to all points of view builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; capable of diffusing difficult situations comfortably; doesn't show frustration. Ability to mediate and create middle ground understanding.
• Approachability-Is easy to approach and talk to; spends the extra efforts to put others at ease; can be warm, pleasant and gracious; is sensitive to and patient with the needs and interests of others; builds rapport well; is a good listener.
• Priority Setting-Spends her/her time and the time of others on what' s important; quickly zeros in on the critical few and puts the trivial many aside; can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; eliminates roadblocks; creates focus.
• Commitment to Task - Willing and able to pursue goals with commitment and to take pride in accomplishment. Willing and able to take action to achieve goals and strives to exceed goals.
• Results/Outcome Oriented - Is motivated by results; can be counted on to meet and exceed goals successfully; bottom-line oriented; pushes self for results; sets clear objectives and measures; monitors process and progress.
• Organizing-Marshals resources to get things done; orchestrates multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal; uses resources effectively and efficiently, identifies informal and incomplete information in time to do something about it.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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

• Hybrid office environment - ideal schedule is two days in office, with autonomy in setting schedule and determining hours. Some evening and weekend work should be expected.

• Occasional independent travel.

• Physical demands: While performing duties of job, employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. Job requires verbal and computer communication. Computer, telephone, and calculator use are required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

BBBSLA is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all qualified individuals. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Applicants as well as employees who are or become disabled must be able to perform the essential duties & responsibilities either unaided or with reasonable accommodation. The organization shall determine reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.

Compensation, Hours and Benefits

Non-exempt, part-time position (approximately 20-30 hours / week) at a starting rate of $20.00-$24.00 / hour. Benefits include sick time and access to an employee assistance program.

Typical work schedule includes both weekday and weekend work, depending on outreach activities and engagements.

Working Location: Location is based on a percentage of where work time is spent. Indoors-70% and Travel (local)-30% - job requires moderate travel to outside meetings. Approximate hours per week = 20-30, with flexible hours. Some weeknight and weekend events will be required.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is an Equal Opportunity Employer