Community Engagement Specialist

Job Overview: The Community Engagement Specialist is responsible for collaborating with IRC staff and a wide variety of community partners and faith and civic groups to identify communities and potential partners throughout Suburban Washington.  The Community Engagement Specialist also contributes to the development of resources, including volunteers and in-kind donations, to support the successful resettlement of Afghan Evacuees and other refugee families. The position has a dual role in helping refugees and asylees adjust to their new life and raising awareness and understanding among the local community about their newest members. This position reports to the Community Engagement Coordinator.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

In-Kind Donation Outreach and Coordination (approximately 50%)

• Work with the Community Engagement Coordinator to secure necessary in-kind donations. Communicate with staff to determine client needs and communicate those needs with the community. Coordinate distribution of in-kind donations to IRC clients.
• Conduct community outreach and engagement to solicit in-kind donations. This entails responding to email and phone call inquiries, identifying or responding to community speaking engagements, working with individuals or groups to plan and execute donation drives.
• Create systems to store, distribute and track in-kind donations.

Volunteer Engagement (approximately 50%)

• Work with the Community Engagement Coordinator to ensure the IRC maintains an active, effective, professionally managed intern and volunteer program.
• Fulfill administrative duties for volunteer programs. Coordinate with colleague(s) to ensure volunteer processing and documentation is tracked including background checks.
• Update and develop resources to manage volunteer, intern and family mentor lifecycle.
• Support current family mentors and mentees with questions and administrative tasks and help Community Engagement Coordinator to onboard new family mentors
• Conduct client and mentor feedback surveys for Family Mentor program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements: 

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred.

Work Experience

• At least one years’ experience working with volunteers and experience with resettlement/immigrant populations strongly preferred.
• Experience conducting training sessions preferred.
• Demonstrated ability and interest to cultivate partnerships with community organizations to meet mutual goals.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• Strong relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills; ability to effectively build internal and external relationships.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in work product.
• Fluent in English required, both spoken and written; proficiency in language(s) spoken by client group preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research, and problem-solving purposes.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.

Working Environment: 

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.