Faith and Community Engagement Specialist

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest is a non-profit organization with Corporate Offices in Phoenix and Tucson and additional offices throughout Arizona.

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest administers programs and services to help build collaborative Community Partnerships and strengthen individuals, families, and communities.

Working for our organization is a positive, challenging and rewarding experience with opportunities for personal and professional development.

Exempt: Non-ExemptBase Wage: $21.50 per hourReports to: Community Integration ManagerDepartment: Refugee and ImmigrationProgram: Refugee and ImmigrationLocation: Tucson, ArizonaPosition Type: RegularDate Reviewed: March 2024

General Description:

In concert with the Faith and Community Engagement Coordinator, the Faith and Community Engagement Specialist provides support for the LSS-SW goal of embracing a volunteer culture within Refugee and Immigration services. The Faith and Community Engagement Specialist will assist to coordinate, support, enhance, and grow faith and community engagement, goodwill, and resources to support refugees as they seek to lead self-sufficient lives and integrate into their new communities. The job requires sensitivity to the program population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

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Faith/Community Group Commitment

Support oversite of refugee volunteer and engagement program, youth mentorship, co-sponsorship recruitment and support, and engage community partners to grow and develop support for refugee needs especially focused on clients enrolled in the Intensive Case Management and Youth Mentorship programs.

1.Develop and conduct training regarding the duties and responsibilities of co-sponsorship and mentorship of volunteers in faith and community groups.
2. Collaborate with the Manager, Fund Development, and Resettlement and Placement teams for current and new congregation, civic and community groups about engagement, visits, presentations, ongoing communication, and thank you strategies.
3. Collaborate with the Intensive Case Management and Youth Mentorship teams to ensure the needs of the programs and refugees are met and to discuss new partnerships needed throughout the community.

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Education and Awareness

1.Foster support and community partnerships that lead to welcoming refugees and promoting their integration and self-sufficiency.
2.Provide a public presence at congregations on weekends as requested and prepare volunteers and staff when representing the organization at public events and table opportunities.
3.Create strategies and programs for faith and community groups to engage in meaningful service.
4.Participate with the Fund Development staff in the introduction of individuals to the organization and cultivation efforts, including "Come and See" events, sharing of success stories, and communicating the needs of the programs

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General Support

1.Conduct all activities with a commitment to the organization's mission and strategic plan; focus efforts to inspire a client-centered approach to quality service delivery and operational excellence; uphold all policies and procedures.
2.Support, strengthen and build cross division support and partnerships within LSS-SW.
3.Support the daily operations of faith and community engagement to ensure compliance with all contracts and agreements including data management and reporting.
4.Use the identified database to track cultivation, solicitation, stewardship of donors and volunteer engagement, i.e., Virtuous, Better Impact, IRIS, etc.
5.Track and monitor performance measures, outputs, and expected outcomes to ensure all program goals are met.
6.Provide excellent customer service and exhibit respectful, professional conduct in all communications, including in-person, written, and electronically. This includes good working communication with community partners and funders, the ability to set appropriate professional boundaries, to respond to and manage conflicts that arise; and maintain a positive, customer-oriented attitude.
7.Maintain confidentiality and follow policies related to personnel records and client records. Maintain appropriate boundaries between professional and personal issues.

5Maintain an established work schedule, including a high level of self-direction and responsibility. May include weekend and evening events. May include state and national travel.2.5Follow internal protocol immediately regarding safety, health, professional attire, professional credentials, and the environment of the member and employee workspace and workplace equipment.2.5Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Significant understanding and demonstrated success of philanthropy, development, interactions with faith communities and civic groups, volunteers, and program management. Some college preferred, but not required.
• Provide and maintain a current certification in First Aid and CPR.
• Provide and maintain a current Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card, clear the Department of Economic Security Central Registry Background Check and a criminal background and motor vehicle screening; must maintain valid AZ Driver's License, a clear driving record and reliable transportation for the duration of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work with diverse communities, faith leaders and congregations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills including the ability to articulate commitment to and passion for the Lutheran Social Services mission and refugee resettlement in public venues.
• Ability to establish and grow new community partnerships while maintaining current partnerships.
• Proficient computer skills and knowledge of Outlook and Microsoft Office Programs (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to relate well with individuals of varied lifestyles, backgrounds, and ethnicities.
• Experience in cultural diversity.
• Ability to participate as a member of a team, including collaboration, cross-training, and mutual assistance.
• Ability to work independently with high initiative.
• Team player who takes initiative, demonstrated networker, and ability to work with diverse populations cross culturally, cross faith traditions and cross programs.
• Demonstrated conflict resolution and problem-solving skills, unflappable in the midst of pressure.
• Understanding and appreciation for a philanthropic culture and faith-based nonprofit agencies.
• Flexibility to work evenings or weekends. This candidate could expect to work 12-15 weekends a year.

Language Skills:

Ability to communicate clearly. Ability to listen and perceive need. Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds non-judgmentally. Ability to effectively present and represent LSS-SW and the program's needs to religious and community groups as well as others in the social services community. Fluent in English, both spoken and written; bilingual ability in one of the predominant languages of the local client base is preferred.

Reasoning Abilities:

Ability to define problems, collect data, evaluate information, draw conclusions, and take appropriate action based on this information. Ability and confidence to make decisions when appropriate and when to solicit guidance from the Program Manager.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics here are representative of those that are needed by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods. The employee frequently is required to use hands to hold objects and operate office equipment.
• The employee is required to be able to listen and communicate effectively.
• The employee may be required to occasionally lift and/or move +25 lbs.
• The noise level in the work environment varies with the activity level of the facility.
The employee must be able to orientate and navigate well within the Program's geographic boundaries.

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