Community Engagement Coordinator in Kansas City, Missouri at Jewish Vocational Service (JVS)

Overview and Purpose of Position

The Community Engagement Coordinator will serve as a member of the Training and Enrichment team to strengthen the building of meaningful relationships between refugees, immigrants, and the broader community. This role emphasizes outreach and community- building initiatives to support inclusion, advocacy, and empowerment.

• Incorporate the results of the JVS Community Need Assessment survey to:
  • Suggest and assist in developing training, workshops, community resources, and other events
  • Responsible for planning and organizing training and other events
  • Promote JVS services, programs, and class offerings
• Develop and facilitate various types of client support groups and orientation sessions
• Collaborate with external partners to recruit presenters for client orientation sessions
• Collaborate with JVS staff to:
  • Assess client needs on an ongoing basis
  • Recruit clients for training and other activities
• Contact clients to arrange their participation, including the use of interpreters when needed
• Actively participate in JVS working groups that address multiple arising issues: Examples: Food security working group, Know your rights, and others
• Work with volunteers to execute trainings and events
• Conduct surveys in coordination with Washington University with refugees and immigrants
• Outreach to community leaders and ethnic organizations to learn about community needs, create partnerships, and explore potential collaborations
• Identify opportunities to support cultural celebrations and community milestones
• Maintain accurate documentation of outreach activities
• Track participant engagement, impact metrics, and KPIs
• Evening or weekend events may be required
• Perform other duties as may be required

Qualifications (skills, education, experience)

• A combination of education and experience, normally represented by a Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum two years of work experience in the community service field
• Previous experience with refugees/immigrants strongly desired
• Fluency in any language spoken by refugees is strongly desired (Dari, Arabic, Spanish, Swahili, etc.)
• Valid driver's license with classification appropriate to operate JVS vehicles, valid auto insurance, clean driving record with no moving violations within the past three years
• A combination of education and experience, normally represented by a Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum two years of work experience in the community service field
• Previous experience with refugees/immigrants strongly desired
• Fluency in any language spoken by refugees is strongly desired (Dari, Arabic, Spanish, Swahili, etc.)
• Valid driver's license with classification appropriate to operate JVS vehicles, valid auto insurance, clean driving record with no moving violations within the past three years

Skills Needed

• A creative and innovative mindset, combined with the ability to work independently
• Excellent oral and interpersonal communication
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with a proven ability to meet deadlines; able to effectively prioritize, delegate, and execute multiple tasks.
• Ability to be self-directed and highly flexible in daily work.
• Ability to work effectively in an environment that is multicultural and multilingual.
• The ability to develop positive working relationships with both internal and external collaborators.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency in Word, Excel, Google Docs, and internet-based communication.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Frequent travel to community events, public service providers, and other service locations will be necessary. Use of a personal vehicle is necessary with mileage reimbursement.
• Some work may be performed at community sites such as other agency offices, schools, libraries, and other public meeting places. Employees may experience exposure to temperature extremes when in training situations, in a car, and while traveling to contacts outside of the agency facility.
• Position requires frequent bending, squatting, sitting, standing, pulling, pushing, lifting, and moving items that may weigh up to 50 lbs.
• Use of cell phone is also required with partial reimbursement by the agency.