About

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST (Youth Mentoring)

NO PHONE CALLS; NO EMPLOYMENT OR STAFFING AGENCIES OF ANY KIND

Status: Full-time (38-hour work week), Non-Exempt Professional, Union Employee based in Los Angeles (combination of remote and office-based). 

Job Summary

The Community Engagement Specialist (CES) position has a key, front-facing and collaborative role in the Youth Mentoring department as part of the enrollment team. The CES is an outside-the-box thinker with excellent interpersonal skills and insight, strong initiative, and a keen ability to leverage opportunities for multiple purposes. This position coordinates the pool of inquiries from initial outreach through interview assignment. They handle inquiries for all children and volunteers and conduct pre-screenings/orientations, providing preliminary impressions of each candidate’s suitability in this first stage of the assessment process.

The CES also engages regularly with other parts of our community. They participate in volunteer and youth recruitment, help develop/publish our e-Newsletter, coordinate our non-mentoring volunteer needs and help to source in-kind donations for events/match outings. The CES also supports mentor training and parent/guardian engagement initiatives. While meeting and getting to know stakeholders, the CES listens for those who want deeper involvement in the agency and may become donors, for instance; they take note of others with connections that might yield a recruitment presentation opportunity, and still others who might donate tickets or gift cards for match outings. This highly interactive role and engagement with the community is critical to the success of this department.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Enrollment
  • Respond to all inquiries for the YM department, engaging each individual or family, determining how they wish to become involved, and offering immediate next steps.
  • Provide orientations to prospective volunteers and families, ensuring their understanding of our program and services and documenting all steps in the Matchforce database.
  • Simultaneously gather information and impressions of constituents to document and share with enrollment team as part of the broader assessment process.
  • Provide high-level customer service at all times and evaluate candidates and processes through the lens of youth protection as our top priority.
  • Utilize Matchforce dashboards/workflows to monitor participants’ progress, conduct timely follow-up and provide reminders in advance of appointments, setting a tone of forward momentum to help keep enrollment processing time to a minimum.
  • Collaborate closely with the rest of the enrollment team for a seamless transition to the interview stage.
  • Ensure that all communication is documented thoroughly and professionally, and that enrollment records provide an accurate history with all data current and accurate.
  • Use workflows and schedules for proactive outreach to non-responders, as well as for those who inquire but defer enrollment to a later time.
  • Develop full knowledge of all agency programs/departments in order to redirect inquiries as needed, and to evaluate alignment with other agency opportunities.
  • Provide external referrals and resources to those whose needs we can’t meet, or who may not be a fit for our agency.
  • Support pool of RTBM Bigs and Littles via RTBM Outreach at three-month intervals and collaborate with Event Coordinator and VP of Mentoring regarding the potential for additional programming.
  • Provide monthly enrollment reports as requested.

• Community Engagement (Other)
  • Develop and publish the bi-monthly e-Newsletter in collaboration with VP of Mentoring and other department heads.
  • Leverage role and agency connections to identify opportunities for in-kind donations (e.g., sporting events, theatre tickets, etc.) in support of match outings or YM events.
  • Oversee distribution of donated activities, coordinating with Event Coordinator and other staff to provide support to those who are recommended or most in need.
  • Non-Mentoring Volunteers
    • Leverage new and existing relationships to identify individuals who might volunteer in other capacities within our department
    • Work with team to maintain current list of opportunities for non-mentoring volunteer support in alignment with departmental needs in (e.g., to help administer surveys, assist with events, etc.)
  • Support parent/guardian engagement initiatives.
  • Participate in Mentor Training.

• Volunteer and Child Recruitment: Develop and/or support opportunities for recruitment of children and volunteers through a range of strategies:
  • Participate actively on the Youth Mentoring Committee (YMC)’s Recruitment Subcommittee
  • Generate geographic/demographic reports to help monitor our needs and select recruitment targets.
  • Capitalize on networking opportunities: engage actively with stakeholders and cultivate community/partner relationships when opportunities present themselves.
  • Take initiative to learn about potential opportunities for collaboration and/or recruitment presentations.
  • Conduct presentations at recruitment or other community venues.
  • Adhere to a system of outreach for reengaging lapsed enrollees and former Bigs.
  • Facilitate virtual Info Sessions (for recruitment of Bigs).
• Other duties as assigned

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

We are seeking a candidates with a strong belief in the Mission and Vision of JBBBSLA, as well as the following:

• Bachelor’s degree (preference for fields related to social work, communications, marketing).
• 1-2 years of experience working with children/youth in social services, or in a customer service environment with a working understanding of child development and family dynamics.
• Relationship management experience with youth and/or adult populations.
• Highly collaborative workstyle with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills (oral/written).
• Able to develop rapport with individuals and groups from diverse sectors.
• Working knowledge of the Los Angeles Jewish community.
• Able to work effectively and sensitively with confidential information.
• Able to work successfully both in a team and independently.
• Strong initiative and solid networking skills; quick to recognize the potential for connections/partnerships
• Good judgment, able to make sound decisions and problem-solve effectively
• Solid organizational skills, comfortable multi-tasking and able to shift priorities quickly when needed.
• Strong commitment to quality and results with good attention to detail.
• High-level computer skills: proficiency in Microsoft Office, internet-based and database applications (Salesforce experience a plus).
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, state-required auto insurance minimums and willingness to travel as necessitated by job responsibilities.
• Able and willing to work flexible hours (evenings and/or weekends as needed).

Benefits Package

JBBBSLA offers a compensation package that includes a competitive salary range commensurate with experience. Generous paid vacation and sick leave plus three additional personal days, paid federal and all no work permitted Jewish holidays (avg. 13-19 holidays per year). Employer-paid benefits include 5% 403b retirement plan (after one year), paid vision and dental insurance, paid life insurance (after one year) and paid long-term disability insurance (after 60 days) paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Other benefits include a generous portion of employee’s medical premium paid, voluntary 403b retirement plan, voluntary Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Pet Insurance discounts, Legal and ID insurance discounts and opportunities for learning and professional development.

We close early on Fridays in observance of Shabbat creating a 38-hour work week. We enjoy a fun office environment (event on Zoom!) and a fantastic team who are dedicated to the meaningful work we do.

We recognize that the diversity of the community we serve must be reflected in every aspect of our organization for JBBBSLA and Camp Bob Waldorf to have the greatest impact. Our commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion is vital to our mission and is essential for our success.

To Apply:

Send a resume AND cover letter to jobs@jbbbsla.org. Enter Community Engagement Specialist in the subject line.