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Position Title: Community Engagement Specialist

Department: Youth Mentoring

Status: Full-time (38-hour work week), Non-Exempt Professional, Union Employee

Agency Location: Based in Los Angeles

Working Location: Based in Los Angeles – combination of remote and office-based

We recognize that the diversity of the community we serve must be reflected in every aspect of our organization for JBBBSLA and Camp Bob Waldorf to have the greatest impact. Our commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion is vital to our mission and is essential for our success.

Join a forward-thinking organization that has been proven to make a positive impact on children’s lives. Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles (JBBBSLA), celebrating over 100 years of service in the greater Los Angeles area, is seeking a dynamic individual to join our innovative and collaborative team. JBBBSLA provides mentoring services, teen empowerment programs, college support, and year-round camp experiences at Camp Bob Waldorf. JBBBSLA is proud to have achieved a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator, their highest level of distinction. Our mission is to assist children in achieving their full potential through innovative, impactful programs.

Job Summary

The Community Engagement Specialist (CES) position has a key, front-facing and collaborative role in the Youth Mentoring department as part of the enrollment team. The CES has excellent interpersonal skills and insight. They handle inquiries for all children and volunteers and coordinate the pool of inquiries from initial outreach through interview assignment. This includes conducting individual pre-screenings and orientations as well as group Info Sessions, executing multiple volunteer screening elements, and documenting all processes and communication in our workflow/database. The CES provides professionally documented observations and accurate data regarding candidates’ suitability in this first stage of the assessment process and ensures a smooth transition of constituents to the next stage of enrollment.

The CES is also an outside-the-box thinker with strong initiative and a keen ability to leverage opportunities for multiple purposes. They engage regularly with other parts of our community. They participate in volunteer and youth recruitment initiatives, conducting external presentations and supporting the Youth Mentoring Committee. The CES helps to source and distribute in-kind donations for events/match outings, and coordinate our non-mentoring volunteer needs. Additional roles may include supporting mentor training, parent/guardian engagement initiatives and our e-Newsletter.

While meeting and getting to know stakeholders, the CES listens for those who want additional or deeper involvement in the agency. They take note of others with connections that might yield a recruitment presentation opportunity, and still others who might donate tickets or gift cards for match outings. This highly interactive role and engagement with the community is critical to the success of the department.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

Enrollment
Respond to all inquiries for the YM department, engaging each individual or family, determining how they wish to become involved, and offering immediate next steps, providing high-level customer service at all times.
Provide individual orientations and/or group Info Sessions to prospective volunteers and families, ensuring their understanding of our program and services and documenting all steps in the Matchforce database.
Coordinate pre-screening for volunteers, including criminal background checks, fingerprints and other screening updates.
Coordinate reference check processes (oversee follow-through if outsourced and/or conduct reference checks as needed.
Document and share impressions of constituents with enrollment team as part of the broader assessment process.
Evaluate candidates and processes through the lens of youth protection, our top priority.
Utilize Matchforce dashboards/workflows to thoroughly monitor, advance and document participants’ progress keeping enrollment processing time to a minimum.

 Proactively reach out to non-responders, as well as to those who inquire but defer enrollment to a later time.

 Provide reminders in advance of appointments.

 Conduct timely follow-up to ensure that process steps continue efficiently, setting a tone of forward momentum with all constituents.

 Ensure that all communication is documented professionally, and that enrollment records provide an accurate history with all data current and accurate.

Collaborate closely with the rest of the enrollment team for a seamless transition to the interview stage.
Provide external referrals and resources to those whose needs we can’t meet, or who may not be a fit for our agency.
Support pool of RTBM (Ready-to-be-Matched) Bigs and Littles via RTBM Outreach at appropriate intervals.
Collaborate with Event Coordinator and VP of Mentoring regarding the potential for additional programming in support of RTBMs.
Support Mentor Training as needed.
Provide monthly enrollment data/reports as requested.
Community Engagement (Other)
Donated Activities

 Leverage role and agency connections to identify opportunities for in-kind donations (e.g., sporting events, theatre tickets, etc.) in support of match outings or YM events.

 Oversee distribution of donated activities, coordinating with Event Coordinator and other staff to provide support to those who are recommended or most in need.

Non-Mentoring Volunteers

 Develop full knowledge of all agency programs/departments in order to redirect inquiries as needed, and to evaluate alignment with other agency opportunities.

 Leverage new and existing relationships to identify individuals who might volunteer in other capacities within our department

 Work with team to maintain current list of opportunities for non-mentoring volunteer support in alignment with departmental needs in (e.g., to help administer surveys, assist with events, etc.)

 Support for parent/guardian engagement initiatives.

Volunteer and Child Recruitment: Develop and/or support opportunities for recruitment of children and volunteers through a range of strategies:
Conduct external presentations at recruitment or other community venues.
Facilitate internal Info Sessions (supporting recruitment and enrollment of Bigs and PGs).
Solicit and capitalize on opportunities for networking, collaboration and recruitment presentations: engage actively with stakeholders and cultivate community/partner relationships when opportunities present themselves.
Participate in the Youth Mentoring Committee’s Recruitment Subcommittee
Adhere to a system of outreach for reengaging lapsed enrollees and former Bigs.
Participate actively on the Youth Mentoring Committee (YMC)’s Recruitment Subcommittee
Generate geographic/demographic reports to help monitor our needs and select recruitment targets.
Other duties as assigned

Skills And Qualifications

We are seeking a candidate with a strong belief in the Mission and Vision of JBBBSLA, as well as the following:

Bachelor’s degree (preference for fields related to social work, communications, marketing).
1-2 years of experience working with children/youth in social services, or in a customer service environment with a working understanding of child development and family dynamics.
Experience in public speaking (presenting, facilitating, training and/or recruiting) with adults
Relationship management experience with youth and/or adult populations.
Highly collaborative workstyle with outstanding interpersonal and communication skills (oral/written).
Able to develop rapport with individuals and groups from diverse sectors.
Working knowledge of the Los Angeles Jewish community.
Able to work effectively and sensitively with confidential information.
Able to work successfully both in a team and independently.
Strong initiative and solid networking skills with ability to recognize and cultivate the potential for connections/partnerships
Good judgment, able to make sound decisions and problem-solve effectively
Solid organizational skills, comfortable multi-tasking and able to shift priorities quickly when needed.
Strong commitment to quality and results with good attention to detail.
High-level computer skills: proficiency in Microsoft Office, internet-based and database applications (Salesforce experience a plus).
Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, state-required auto insurance minimums and willingness to travel as necessitated by job responsibilities.
Able and willing to work flexible hours (evenings and/or weekends as needed).

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