Outreach & Engagement Specialist - SEMO RISE

Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri•Cape Girardeau, MO

About The Position

Community Partnership of Southeast Missouri (CPSEMO) is seeking a community-oriented professional to serve as Outreach & Engagement Specialist for SEMO RISE (Regional Industry Skills and Employment), a regional workforce development initiative serving 14 counties in Southeast Missouri. SEMO RISE connects people with education, occupational training, industry-recognized skills, and employment opportunities in skilled trades and construction, and information technology, including commercial drone technology and its applications across industries. The specialist leads participant recruitment, community outreach, referrals, and engagement. The role builds relationships with community organizations, workforce agencies, educational institutions, employers, training providers, and other regional stakeholders; develops and implements outreach strategies; communicates program opportunities; supports enrollment and referrals; and maintains engagement with prospective participants. The specialist works closely with the SEMO RISE Project Manager and Data & Performance Specialist to align outreach with program objectives, document engagement, and monitor recruitment and participation outcomes. The position requires travel throughout the 14-county service area to conduct outreach, attend events, meet referral partners, engage prospective participants, and support recruitment. The service area includes Cape Girardeau, Perry, Bollinger, Scott, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Dunklin, Wayne, Stoddard, Ste. Genevieve, St. Francois, Madison, and Butler counties.

Requirements

Associate degree or bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, human services, education, workforce development, business administration, or a related field; equivalent relevant education and experience may be considered.
At least two years of experience in community outreach, participant recruitment, public engagement, case management, workforce development, community services, or a related field.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to deliver presentations and clearly communicate program information.
Demonstrated ability to build relationships with community partners, service providers, employers, and diverse populations.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple outreach activities and deadlines.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office or comparable productivity tools, email, online communication platforms, and electronic recordkeeping systems.
Ability to maintain accurate documentation and follow established reporting procedures.
Ability to travel throughout the 14-county service area as required.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation, subject to CPSEMO driving and vehicle-use requirements.
Ability to engage people from diverse backgrounds respectfully and professionally, communicate with varied audiences, work independently and collaboratively, adapt outreach to different communities, and help people navigate available resources.

Nice To Haves

Experience with grant-funded programs or initiatives involving workforce development, education, training, or employment services.
Experience recruiting and engaging participants from rural or underserved communities.
Familiarity with workforce development agencies, community colleges, technical schools, employers, and community-based organizations in Southeast Missouri.
Experience coordinating referrals, maintaining partner relationships, and organizing community events.
Experience using participant tracking systems, databases, or customer relationship management tools.
Familiarity with skilled trades, construction, information technology, commercial drone technology, or related career pathways.
Experience with community presentations, public speaking, recruitment campaigns, or digital outreach.
Experience identifying participant barriers and connecting individuals with appropriate community resources.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement recruitment strategies to identify people who may benefit from SEMO RISE education, training, and employment pathways.
Promote program opportunities through community events, partner organizations, educational institutions, workforce agencies, employers, and other channels.
Explain program goals, eligibility, training pathways, participation expectations, and enrollment procedures to prospective participants.
Conduct outreach and follow up with interested individuals to encourage participation and support enrollment steps.
Identify barriers to participation and connect individuals with appropriate resources when available.
Maintain communication with prospective participants throughout recruitment and referrals, and support continued engagement by sharing information, reminders, follow-up, and referrals.
Coordinate recruitment with the Project Manager, including alignment with enrollment targets, grant objectives, training availability, and regional workforce needs.
Recruit participants for skilled trades, construction, information technology, and commercial drone technology pathways, reaching communities across the service area, including rural communities and populations facing barriers.
Develop and maintain a community outreach plan and relationships with community organizations, nonprofit agencies, schools, colleges, training providers, workforce agencies, libraries, public agencies, and other referral partners.
Attend job fairs, career expos, community meetings, workforce events, educational events, and other outreach opportunities; deliver presentations and distribute approved promotional materials.
Identify opportunities to increase program visibility, collaborate on clear and accessible program messaging, and use community feedback to improve outreach.
Develop and maintain a referral network; coordinate referrals among SEMO RISE, educational institutions, training providers, employers, workforce agencies, and community organizations.
Maintain referral procedures, communicate eligibility and enrollment information to partners, follow up on referrals as appropriate, and work with partners to address service gaps and referral challenges.
Maintain regular, respectful, participant-centered communication; help participants navigate program processes and connect with training, employment, or support resources.
Follow up with individuals who have not completed enrollment or may be disengaging, and coordinate with partners and the Project Manager to address engagement challenges.
Maintain confidentiality and gather participant feedback about outreach, enrollment, and referral experiences.
Record outreach activities, contacts, recruitment efforts, referrals, follow-ups, and outcomes accurately and promptly; document events, presentations, and partner meetings.
Track inquiries, referral sources, recruitment progress, and enrollment follow-up using designated systems; collaborate with the Data & Performance Specialist on accurate data entry.
Update the Project Manager on outreach, recruitment, partner engagement, and challenges; review participation trends and contribute accurate information to required program reports.
Support collection of participant success stories and program impact information subject to permissions and confidentiality requirements; maintain records in accordance with grant requirements and CPSEMO policies.
Build familiarity with regional workforce needs and promote training and career pathways aligned with employer demand; coordinate with employers and training providers on opportunities and engagement activities.
Maintain records, correspondence, calendars, contact lists, meeting notes, and supporting documentation; coordinate events, presentations, meetings, and recruitment activities.
Manage competing priorities and deadlines, collaborate with CPSEMO staff and the SEMO RISE team, represent CPSEMO professionally, and follow organizational and grant policies.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the SEMO RISE Project Manager or designated supervisor.