Community Engagement Coordinator

Child and Family Services of Erie County, Inc. • Buffalo, NY

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

A program of Child and Family Services, the Community Mediation Center (CMC) helps individuals and organizations throughout WNY to have difficult conversations through mediation, conflict coaching, and Restorative Justice initiatives toward peaceful and meaningful solutions and resolving disagreement. CMC is part of a statewide network of Community Dispute Resolution Centers that provides free and low-cost dispute resolution programs that support disputing parties to develop their own solutions to matters that might otherwise bring them to court or have already put them in litigation. Services are provided by a team of professional staff and trained, volunteer and/or paid community mediators.

THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN ADVANCING THE MISSION AND VISIBILITY OF THE COMMUNITY MEDIATION CENTER (CMC) THROUGH STRATEGIC COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT, PROGRAM PROMOTION, AND DIRECT SERVICE DELIVERY. THIS POSITION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING AND MAINTAINING PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, COORDINATING OUTREACH INITIATIVES, MANAGING TRAININGS AND EVENTS, TRACKING OUTCOMES AND BUDGETS, AND PROMOTING ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ADR) AND RESTORATIVE PRACTICES THROUGHOUT THE 8 COUNTIES OF WNY.

THE POSITION COMBINES STRATEGIC PLANNING AND RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT WITH HANDS-ON IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. APPROXIMATELY 40% OF THE ROLE IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING DIRECT ADR AND RESTORATIVE PRACTICES SERVICES, INCLUDING MEDIATION, FACILITATION, CONFLICT COACHING, RESTORATIVE CIRCLES, AND RELATED INTERVENTIONS.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Conflict Resolution, Public Administration, Communications, Community Development, or a related field.
• Minimum of three years of experience in community engagement, program coordination, outreach, conflict resolution, mediation, restorative practices, or related work.
• Experience developing partnerships and working collaboratively with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience planning and coordinating events, workshops, or training programs.
• Strong relationship-building and networking skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and public presentation skills.
• Ability to think strategically while managing multiple operational priorities.
• Familiarity with mediation, conflict resolution, restorative practices, and community engagement principles. Training in these areas will be provided and required throughout position tenure.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and report program data.
• Budget management and financial tracking skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Outlook and Teams
• Ability and willingness to regularly travel throughout the 8 counties of Western New York required.

Nice To Haves

• Mediation training and/or restorative practices certification.
• Experience working within nonprofit, educational, community-based, or human services environments.
• Knowledge of community relations, public engagement, and program evaluation.
• Grant reporting or grant-funded program experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, schools, government agencies, social service providers, businesses, and other stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to expand community awareness and utilization of ADR and restorative practices services.
• Serve as a representative of CMC at community meetings, networking events, conferences, and public forums.
• Collaborate with other CMC staff and partners to identify community needs and develop responsive programming.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships that support program goals and increase community impact.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute community outreach initiatives, workshops, trainings, and special events.
• Help in the development of promotional materials and coordinate marketing efforts across various platforms, including social media, newsletters, and community publications.
• Recruit participants for programs, trainings, and events.
• Manage event logistics, including scheduling, registration, venues, materials, and evaluations.
• Deliver presentations and informational sessions regarding ADR and restorative practices.
• Assist in the development and implementation of annual outreach and engagement plans.
• Track program outcomes, performance metrics, community engagement activities, and participation data.
• Prepare reports for leadership, funders, and/or stakeholders.
• Monitor and manage budgets associated with community engagement activities and events.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in compliance with program requirements.
• Support any grant-funded initiatives through data collection, reporting, and program implementation.
• Provide mediation, facilitation, conflict coaching, restorative circles, family group conferencing, and other ADR services.
• Conduct intake, assessment, scheduling, and case management activities.
• Facilitate restorative practices in schools, community settings, workplaces, and other environments.
• Maintain neutrality, confidentiality, and adherence to professional standards and ethical guidelines.
• Develop and implement restorative responses to conflict and harm in collaboration with community partners.
• Deliver ADR and restorative practices training to community members and partner organizations.
• Participate in ongoing professional development related to conflict resolution, mediation, and restorative practices.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO) – 20 PTO Days (25 Days After Five Years of Employment)
• 14 Paid Holidays (includes 2 flex holidays)
• Bereavement: Four Paid Days
• Paid Jury Duty
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Medical, Two Plan Options
• Dental, Two Plan Options
• Vision Insurance
• Wellness Program and Incentives
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Quarterly Employer-Contributions
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Care FSA
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Qualifying Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• 403(b) Right Away and Employer-Contributions After Two Years (1000 hours each year)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level