Job Description
Other - Full-time
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) Some evenings and weekends required
Bethany is changing the world through family. We began our work by serving one child more than 75 years ago. Today, Bethany is an international Christian nonprofit partnering with communities in more than 30 states and in several countries around the world. We strengthen and preserve families, support displaced people fleeing danger, and find safe, loving families for children who need them. Bethany is at the forefront of creating and implementing solutions to meet the growing needs of vulnerable children and families in the U.S. and around the world.
The Community Engagement Coordinator is primarily responsible for community outreach, cultivate new relationship by giving presentations/trainings and attending outreach events related to Refugee & Immigrant Services.
This position is expected to function effectively with moderate supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work closely with the Associate Director of Community Engagement and Community engagement team to advance internal and external engagement and outreach efforts with the Latinx and Hispanic communities;
- Work with the community engagement teams members to help recruit, train and maintain Hispanic and Latinx volunteers, foster homes, and co-sponsors while also building a community that embraces cross-cultural relationships through all of Bethany’s refugee and immigrant programs;
- Coordinate and administer effective outreach programs, activities, and events that are delivered in a manner that recognizes and respects the diverse Latinx and Hispanic communities;
- Strengthen on-going, build new and maintain relationships within the Latinx and Hispanic communities and provides education on Bethany’s Refugee and Immigrant Services programs and services;
- Acts as the primary point of contact for all Latinx and Hispanic community partner and other stakeholder inquiries related to community engagement;
- Conduct internal and external presentations and prepare culturally appropriate education materials for programming, community events and initiatives;
- Partner with Latinx and Hispanic individuals and community-based organizations to increase collaboration and community building for the development and implementation of culturally appropriate refugee and immigrant foster care and adult and family programs;
- Identify and pursue opportunities for third-party events and liaise with organizers;
- Knowledge of community groups and strong ambition to connect with groups;
- Provides expertise in the development, organization, administration, and execution of special events and keeping pre- and post-event details;
- Contributes to and helps implement plans to engage stakeholders and volunteers;
- Liaise with internal departments, committees, and external partners to facilitate the coordination of event production;
- Develop and maintain project schedules and timelines for events;
- Identify and implement improvement strategies and best practices;
- Recruit, train and supervise volunteers and support staff to assist in different programs;
- Complete other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- BSW or BA/BS in a human service field from an accredited college or university;.
- Prior work experience with refugees or minority families;
- Public speaking skills and comfortable working with groups, (small and large);
- Demonstrate bilingual and cross-cultural sensitivity;
- Strong interpersonal skills in establishing successful working relationships both internally and externally
- Identify and pursue opportunities for third-party events and liaise with organizers;
- Knowledge of community groups and strong ambition to connect with groups;
- Provides expertise in the development, organization, administration, and execution of special events and keeping pre and post event details;
- Computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions;
- Maintain a reliable automobile with adequate insurance coverage.
- Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
- Uphold Bethany’s commitment to inclusion through internal and external interactions.
- Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment.