Community Connector

Job Summary: Community Connectors will maintain a visible presence in the micro-target area on a routine basis. Connectors will perform as neighborhood mobilizers by facilitating linkage to resources and services needed in order to make the neighborhood safer and stronger and empowering residents to build community capacity and improve overall neighborhood quality of life. The Connectors perform various duties, including outreach, conducting interviews, home visits, needs assessments and referrals to services. Connectors identify clients and help micro-target area residents find support for health, education, community awareness, safety, and legal problems. A critical part of the Community Connectors’ function is to establish rapport with residents of micro-target areas and work with Be Strong On the Block Program Manager, Success Coaches and partners.

Job Duties: The Community Connectors will provide care coordination through conducting door-to-door outreach to engage program participants in the field through home visits, as well as visiting libraries, parks, schools, etc. based on referrals received from community partners (contact made to all clients within 48 hours of receipt of a referral). Community Connectors will also assist in the coordination of Monthly Community Block Meetings and large-scale community events, completes intake assessments (eligibility screening), makes timely referrals to appropriate service providers, completes the CANS/PAPF and maintains a daily journal of activities completed in the micro-target areas. To promote teamwork and safety, these individuals will work in pairs while in the field. Community Connectors follow up with residents' progress and ensure quality of services. In addition to connecting residents with appropriate services, community connectors will also engage in other community engagement events in the micro-target area. The Community Connectors serve as a primary point of contact for residents and referring organizations. In addition, Community Connectors will attend training, workshops, and other meetings or events as required. The Community Connectors will work with the Be Strong On the Block Program Manager and/or other community-based organizations to coordinate community forums, block watch meetings, and other community collaborations. At minimum, 75% of time is allocated to direct-client contact.

Experience and Education: Bachelor's degree or higher in Criminal Justice, Social Work, human services, or a related field. Experience working with neighborhood organizations, residents and/or churches. It is highly recommended knowledge of the community and social issues. Additional experience in juvenile assessment, counseling, family or rehabilitation intervention or related work experience may substitute for educational requirements on a year-for-year basis.

Reports to: Reports to the Be Strong On the Block Program

Competencies: Ability to engage and relate to the target population. Cultural sensitivity competence is also required. Excellent oral and written communication skills.  

Job Responsibilities:

● Participate in daily out-door activities whilst maintaining a high level of performance.

● Participate and assist in monthly Be Strong On the Block Community Engagement Events and logistics.

● Complete assessments in the field and make timely referrals to appropriate service providers.

● Maintain a daily journal of activities completed in the assigned Micro-Target Area: Perrine, Goulds, and Richmond Heights.

● Maintain a log of daily activities and contacts, including client files, document referrals, services, and outcomes. Also, ensure accurate and timely reporting of activities for assigned sectors.

● Identify progress toward meeting goals and objectives.

● Submit data and narratives for weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports.

● Ability to effectively present written and verbal information.

● Ability to respond to questions from the general public, law enforcement, neighborhood residents, youth, and staff of various community-based organizations.

● Ability to participate in daily physical activities, including visiting the assigned micro-target area.

● Ability to carry- out and complete assigned tasks in an appropriate timeframe and work independently.

● Ability to relate well to team members, supervisors, and other interested parties.

● Complete any required training before the deadline (as provided by the onboarding process or your direct supervisor upon hire).

● Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

● English language is required (can read, write and speak fluently).

● Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Social Work, Human Services or related field.

● 5 years of experience.

● Experience working with neighborhood organizations and residents.

● Knowledge of community and social issues.

● Experience in juvenile assessment, counseling, family, or rehabilitation intervention.

● Effective verbal and written communication skills.

● Ability to meet the physical demands of door-to-door canvassing and facilitating/participating in set up/take down of neighborhood events.

● Must be able to pass a criminal background check.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

● Possess expert knowledge of subject matter.

● Experience in community relations.

● Bilingual (Spanish or Creole is a plus).

● Excellent self-starter and must be self-motivated.

● Proficiency in computer skills and programs such as Microsoft Office: Word, PowerPoint, Outlook.

● Detail Oriented.

● Good Time Management skills.

● Decision-making skills.

Personal Characteristics Strongly Desired:

● Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve the image and functional capacity of the organization and to create new opportunities.

● Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure your own behavior and the behavior of others are consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.

● Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.

● Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.

● Focus on Client Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of schools, community organizations and individual clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.

● Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problem, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.

● Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that support the sustainability of the organization.

● Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.

● Organize: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities.

● Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Job responsibilities include door-to-door canvassing and facilitating/participating and assisting with set up/take down of neighborhood events, block watch, and community meetings. Due to the current global pandemic, COVID-19, the incumbent must follow CDC guidelines while engaging with the public.

Daily Activities and Events

 Outdoor Events (Attendance required)

● Help organize, promote, and assist with and set-up/take down for monthly events.

● Attend events and follow-up as needed.

Community Engagement

● Encourage Civic Engagement by bringing government to residents. The Community Connectors will go out to Be Strong On the Block Micro-target area prioritizing Hotspot Areas 1, 2 and 3. This includes bus stops, businesses, faith-based organizations, and landmarks where the public gathers (Post COVID-19). There is a three-step process involved:

1.  Inform people about services, Family & Neighborhood services.
2. Ask people what do they want/need to see in their neighborhood and assess household and individual needs.
3. Identify community resources and services, provide referrals, make services connections, and perform follow-up.

This position is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, speak, and hear. The position requires extensive computer use so the employee must have sufficient hand dexterity to use a computer keyboard and be capable of reading a computer screen. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Limitations and Disclaimer:

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants for all position without  regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Hiring is contingent to references and Level II background screening and Sex Offender background check successfully passed.