HSPRS Community Engagement Associate at Church World Service, Inc. in Harrisonburg, Virginia

Job Description:

Overview



Reports to:Associate DirectorLocation/ Work Arrangement:Harrisonburg, Virginia (VA)/ OnsiteSalary Minimum:$52,800 Salary Maximum:$66,000


Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit organization working to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world. Join us in this life-changing work. Through funding from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), CWS provides services to unaccompanied children (UC) through the Home Study (HS) and Post Release Service (PRS) program. UC are recently arrived to the US and released from federal custody to a sponsor, typically a family member or friend, and may require additional support once in the community to access resources and ensure stability of the placement and their safety. CWS also provides home study services to those children in ORR care when assessment of the proposed placement is warranted to ensure the sponsor can provide a safe, stable home, and ensure the UC's well-being. CWS provides HSPRS nationally through an affiliate network.



About CWS



Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.



Purpose



Working with the local Office Director and the appropriate US Regional Director, this position will collaborate and create goals around community engagement for their office that aligns with HSPRS program goals, ORR policies, cooperative agreement and NOFO. Community Engagement staff could support CM with activities such as supporting UC/Sponsors with referrals/connections and accessing community resources/services. They will develop and implement a local strategy to meet both local and national goals for community engagement to support unaccompanied children. Primary responsibilities carried out by this position will vary based on each offices' goals and their respective community. The current national goals are focused on the core pillars of Education and Interns & Volunteers. This position will work in close partnership with the National Community Engagement team for Children Services to ensure that activities and initiatives created also help propel the national goals forward and that appropriate training, support, and tracking are provided and recorded. This position requires time allocated to relationship and community building, engaging with volunteers, interns, and various other constituencies, such as faith partners and denominations. Other activities include event leadership capacity building, collaboration with local staff and the HSPRS national team, strategic planning with the support of the local Office Director and US Regional Director, office administration, and reporting.



Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Associate Director, Office Director, and US Regional Director, coordinate local community outreach and engagement activities; Support the director with planning and implementing local engagement events targeted at increase access to local resources.


• Integrate the subject matter expertise derived from caseworkers, casework supervisors and Associate Director to share the story of Church World Service's work in the area of HSPRS.


• Create and implement effective local community engagement strategies for the recruitment of interns and volunteers, including but not limited to corporations, businesses, universities, civic and faith-based organizations.


• Provide support to the supervision of interns and volunteers.


• Support content creation that reaches diverse constituents and is developed in a timely and strategic manner, including contributing to quarterly and annual reports.


• Maintain day-to-day contact and provide technical assistance to staff on community engagement; Serve as the primary point of contact on matters relating to community engagement for national network staff.


• Coordinate with CWS Community Engagement national staff to ensure a comprehensive approach to community engagement and provide support to the CWS network.


• Represent local CWS office at internal and external conferences, meetings, committees and working groups with CWS colleagues and other stakeholders.


• Other duties as needed

Qualifications




Education:

• Bachelor's degree is required.

Experience:

• Prior direct service experience with unaccompanied children, asylum seekers, and/or refugees highly preferred, but not required.


• Experience in social media and newsletter development on behalf of an organization preferred.

Skills:

• Superior written and verbal communication skills. Writing samples are required in the application process.


• Ability to speak publicly to engage stakeholders and conduct follow-up.


• Willingness to initiate introductions to the CWS Indianapolis Office and make requests to present formally on the HSPRS program.


• Ability to screen potential volunteers for needed skills and abilities.


• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.


• Manage multiple priorities simultaneously and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.


• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.

Special Requirements

• Able to sit for an extended period in an office setting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.


• English and Spanish fluency preferred.


• Standard work hours with occasional evening or weekend assignment


• Successfully pass PREA, FBI and Child Abuse and Neglect Checks.


• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS' Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required.


• Valid driver's license and clean record with the ability to be insured by CWS

Benefits



CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days after 2 Years)
- 14 Official Holidays
- 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)
- Life Insurance and AD&D
- Long Term and Short-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Accounts Apply Now