Outreach & Community Partnership Specialist

JVS Boston•Boston, MA

32d•$47,000 - $52,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Lead Career Coach, the Outreach and Community Partnership Specialist (OCPS) is responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with community partners and engaging with members of our target communities with a dual goal of recruiting for JVS programs and creating strategic partnerships with organizations that provide social services needed by our participants. This position focuses primarily on outreach and partnership development, including representing JVS at job and skills training fairs, other tabling opportunities, and community events. The role also includes barrier removal support, helping individuals navigate challenges such as food insecurity, housing instability, childcare access, and utility costs. In addition to partnerships, the OCPS will build knowledge and resources to connect coaches and clients to the services they need to remove barriers to successful program participation and completion. The Outreach and Community Partnership Specialist manages a portfolio of partnerships and works to increase the organizations’ involvement with JVS in the form of referrals to JVS programs. They also work directly with JVS coaches and clients to connect them with the barrier removal services that they seek.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Business/Marketing, Human Resources, Human services, social work, Education, or related field, or equivalent (4 years) experience
1-3+ years of community engagement experience, ideally in the Greater Boston area
Flexible evening and weekend availability (1-3 evenings or weekend days/week) required
Excellent relationship building skills, including the ability to interact with a diverse range of colleagues
Excellent customer service skills and ability to interact with and assist a multi-cultural customer base, including those with low levels of English proficiency and limited educational backgrounds
Demonstrated success in partnership building
Demonstrated success in performance tracking, maintaining a contact database, or similar
Proficiency in Microsoft 365 suite
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Accountability and Results Focused
Adapting to Change
Building Relationship, Collaboration and Teamwork
Cultural Competency and Respect
Communication Skills
Initiative
Planning and Organizing
Promotes External Relations
Provides Exceptional Customer Service
Sitting
Standing
Speaking
Attendance
Carrying up to 15 pounds

Nice To Haves

Bilingual, bicultural preferred
Working knowledge of adult education, social service and/or workforce development organizations in the Greater Boston area preferred

Responsibilities

Build and maintain strong relationships with community-based organizations (CBOs), local government organizations, and other partners to support outreach and recruitment efforts.
Serve as the primary point of contact for outreach partners through regular communication (e.g., meetings, calls, emails) and active participation in community events.
Represent JVS at job fairs, skills training fairs, and other public events by staffing tables, distributing program materials and swag, assisting potential clients with the Universal Intake Form, and answering questions about JVS services, including regular evening and weekend events.
Deliver presentations at CBOs, schools, and community gatherings to promote JVS programs and build awareness of available services.
Collaborate with coaches and program teams to identify outreach needs and develop strategies for engaging new partners and communities.
Stay up to date on JVS programs, and seek out feedback from program teams to aid in developing new partnerships and improving referral systems
Maintain reciprocal referral relationships with community partners who provide needed services and serve populations aligned with JVS’s recruitment needs.
Connect coaches and clients to resources and partner organizations, occasionally working 1:1 with clients to help with barrier removal.
Promote the mission and values of JVS in all external interactions and represent the agency with professionalism and enthusiasm.
Work effectively with other programs and administrative staff to coordinate outreach efforts and share insights.
Troubleshoot unsuccessful referrals and make system adjustments when possible.
Seek out and develop new partners for emerging service needs.
Ensure all key data is entered into relevant data tracking systems is accurate and complete.
Generate strategy and solutions in response to unforeseen and planned changes, setbacks, and challenges.
All partner organizations, including their contacts, and all interactions with them are entered into Salesforce within 48 hours.
Using provided rubric, all partner organizations are leveled and ideas of how to move partners up a level are shared with Lead Career Coach.
Communicate regularly with coaches about open barrier removal cases, and track all interactions in Salesforce.
Communicate effectively verbally and in writing with compassion and professionalism.
Participate in meetings, in-service training, team-based projects, committees.
Communicate regularly with Supervisor to ensure smooth delivery of services.
Exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
Perform other duties as assigned or requested.