Community Outreach and Engagement Advocate

Title: Community Outreach and Engagement Advocate

Salary: $25.93/hr.

Status: Full-time, Non-E xempt, 35 hours weekly

Supervisor: Coordinator of Training and Onboarding

Function:

Under the direction of the CTO, the Community Outreach and Engagement Advocate is a specialized role focused on expanding the reach of CVSS through community education, strategic partnerships, program events, and active community presence. This position bridges the gap between victims and services, with a dedicated focus on underserved and diverse populations. Responsible for the strategic planning and execution of outreach, trainings, specialized events and fundraising. Acts a Floating Victim Advocate to assist Advocacy Team with direct service coverage and assists with program’s internal trainings.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field preferred or 3-5 years relevant work experience
• Human Services, counseling, and/or advocacy experience a plus
• Training and Public Speaking experience
• Successful completion of 40-hour CVSS domestic violence/sexual assault training course within the introductory period

Position Responsibilities:

• Provide community outreach, awareness activities, and trainings to community members, with a focus on underserved populations, to increase access to victim services and strengthen partnerships with community agencies, programs, and systems.
• Facilitate existing community trainings and proactively develop new training materials to address emerging social trends and community needs.
• Outreach to various community agencies, programs, and systems to enhance working relationships, set up referral systems, and provide training.
• Assist CTO with internal trainings as needed.
• Plan and staff all outreach and tabling events, primarily scheduled for evenings and weekends.
• Plan and implement awareness campaigns for designated awareness months (e.g., Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month and others).
• Manage and create social media content in collaboration with Family Services and CVSS.
• Generate and maintain required records, reports and statistical data for program and meet deadlines in a timely manner.
• Assist with fundraisers and special events including Crime Victim's Rights Week events, Homicide Remembrance Day events and more. (May be outside agency hours of operation.)
• Meet with the Leadership Team on a regular basis to provide updates on the status of community outreach and training.
• Act as a Floating Victim Advocate assisting Advocacy team with Direct Service coverage including hotlines, walk-ins, client intakes, and request for accompaniments.
• Act as a buddy to Campus Victim Advocate position or other positions as program needs arise
• Position is scheduled to work Monday - Friday 9 AM to 5 PM with a one hour lunch break, but will need to regularly flex working time as needed to meet various event schedules during nights, evenings, and weekends.
• Other duties as assigned based upon need of program or agency

• Ability to develop and maintain working relationships within respective law enforcement agencies, other community agencies and stakeholders.
• Ability to remain organized and complete administrative tasks, such as documenting activities and maintaining up-to-date records, in a timely manner.
• Excellent administrative skills
• Possess ‘out of the box’ thinking and resourcefulness
• Exceptional public speaking, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively when under extreme pressure
• Possess compassion and empathy
• Proven ability to work effectively with diverse populations and a deep commitment to social equity

Essential Requirements:

• Complete mandated reporter training; Report any behavior or implication of behavior of child abuse to the appropriate authorities.
• Complete and maintain training certification as NYS DOH Rape Crisis Counselor
• Must be able to get to and from various work locations throughout work shift and outside of office hours. This includes Family Services, local courts, hospitals, police departments, community event locations, etc.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule and work nights, evenings, and weekends as needed.
• Strong computer skills, including a working knowledge of an e-mail package and MS software programs: Word and Excel.
• Established cell phone, willing to use for work (will be reimbursed), with effective coverage for the Dutchess County area.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 5%.
• Generous paid vacation, holiday, sick and personal time (2 weeks’ vacation to start, 13 paid holidays per year, 12 sick days per year and 4 personal days per year). Time is accrued based on hour worked.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).
• Access to Family Services’ Compassionate Leave Program where employees can donate/receive unused time off.
• Group term life and long-term disability insurance.
• Supplemental life insurance & accidental death and dismemberment coverage (AD&D), supplemental insurance through Aflac.
• Pet insurance.

Our Mission:

Family Services brings people together to find the support they need, improving their lives and communities, and building a stronger safer Hudson Valley.

Our  Values

Integrity - Being honest and trustworthy

Compassion – Extending empathy and understanding to others

Hope - Believing in the strength of the human spirit and heart, to emerge and thrive in the face of challenge

Diversity – Promoting a vison of community comprised of wide-ranging assets

Respect - Treating all individuals with dignity and without judgement

Community - Recognizing and reinforcing the importance of our world as being comprised of people of differing strengths and perspectives

Justice – Promoting social and economic equity and fairness

Quality – Striving for excellence in every aspect of our work

Work Environment – Family Services Inc. Center for Victim Safety and Support is a 24-hour crisis center and has open office hours Monday through Friday, 9a-5p. The Coordinator of Training and Outreach will spend most of their time interacting with staff, working on a team and independently, overseeing staff activities and documentation, initiating community outreach, completing administrative responsibilities, and participating in meetings and supervisions.

Family Services, Inc. complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [email protected].

Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We follow federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination in hiring and employment.

Must be authorized to work in the United States without work sponsorship.