Community Engagement Specialist
Lutheran Social Services of the South, Inc. dba Upbring, Mcallen, TX, United States
Overview
Community Engagement Specialist – US‑TX‑McAllen. The role focuses on implementing and sustaining community engagement activities at the regional and program level in alignment with agency priorities. Responsibilities include day‑to‑day execution of partnerships, coordination of community resources, and facilitation of referrals to wrap‑around supports.
Responsibilities
Participate in staffings to make referrals or provide access to additional/wrap‑around services for youth in the Vector Point program.
Complete and maintain accurate case files and records for participants, including official documents in the agency’s database, in accordance with agency policy, licensing standards, funding requirements, and other regulatory requirements.
Implement community engagement strategies and priorities as established by the Engagement Expansion Coordinator to support children, foster families, and program operations within the assigned region.
Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with the program operations team to identify needs, volunteer opportunities, and sustain strong rapport.
Identify, develop, and solidify a network of key stakeholders and partners to build strategic partnerships in conjunction with agency initiatives and goals through definition and management of partnership frameworks and approaches.
Develop partner strategy through collaboration with all relevant functions and programs within the agency and manage the current portfolio of strategic partners.
Represent the agency at approved key area collaborations and coalitions.
Coordinate with External Relations to share information on potential volunteers, in‑kind donors, grants, and other funders to support programs in the region.
Work as a team player and exhibit professional behavior and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients, reflecting positively on the agency and consistent with agency policies and practices.
Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with staff and the community.
Communicate effectively and clearly; articulate an overview and the stories of agency programs, such as program outcomes, program goals and needs, and industry trends as they relate to the program service population.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related field.
One (1) year of cumulative relevant experience working with diverse stakeholders, research, foster care or child welfare environments, and/or community engagement.
Strong interpersonal and people skills with the ability to cultivate and maintain long‑term relationships.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision, take initiative, and be a self‑starter.
Strong project management skills: ability to manage and complete multiple tasks simultaneously.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to build positive working relationships with internal and external customers.
Strong organizational and time‑management skills with a proven track record of meeting deadlines and juggling requests and tasks; strong ability to prioritize.
Ability to use creativity to plan and execute tasks; ability to be resourceful.
Ability to travel, including weekend evenings.
Proficient in desktop publishing software and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, and PowerPoint).
Preferred Qualifications
Three (3) years of experience in child welfare; demonstrated experience with community partnership building and community engagement.
Travel
This position may require travel up to 20% of the time.
Perks at Upbring
Competitive PTO & paid holidays.
Health, dental, vision insurance & more.
403(b) plan.
Employee Assistance Program.
Discounted gym memberships.
Physical Demands & Work Conditions
Requires sitting, looking, and using a computer for long periods.
Constant exposure to children.
Frequent standing and walking.
Lift, push, pull, and move up to 25 lbs.
Equal Employment Opportunity Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
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Responsibilities
Participate in staffings to make referrals or provide access to additional/wrap‑around services for youth in the Vector Point program.
Complete and maintain accurate case files and records for participants, including official documents in the agency’s database, in accordance with agency policy, licensing standards, funding requirements, and other regulatory requirements.
Implement community engagement strategies and priorities as established by the Engagement Expansion Coordinator to support children, foster families, and program operations within the assigned region.
Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with the program operations team to identify needs, volunteer opportunities, and sustain strong rapport.
Identify, develop, and solidify a network of key stakeholders and partners to build strategic partnerships in conjunction with agency initiatives and goals through definition and management of partnership frameworks and approaches.
Develop partner strategy through collaboration with all relevant functions and programs within the agency and manage the current portfolio of strategic partners.
Represent the agency at approved key area collaborations and coalitions.
Coordinate with External Relations to share information on potential volunteers, in‑kind donors, grants, and other funders to support programs in the region.
Work as a team player and exhibit professional behavior and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients, reflecting positively on the agency and consistent with agency policies and practices.
Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with staff and the community.
Communicate effectively and clearly; articulate an overview and the stories of agency programs, such as program outcomes, program goals and needs, and industry trends as they relate to the program service population.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a closely related field.
One (1) year of cumulative relevant experience working with diverse stakeholders, research, foster care or child welfare environments, and/or community engagement.
Strong interpersonal and people skills with the ability to cultivate and maintain long‑term relationships.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision, take initiative, and be a self‑starter.
Strong project management skills: ability to manage and complete multiple tasks simultaneously.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to build positive working relationships with internal and external customers.
Strong organizational and time‑management skills with a proven track record of meeting deadlines and juggling requests and tasks; strong ability to prioritize.
Ability to use creativity to plan and execute tasks; ability to be resourceful.
Ability to travel, including weekend evenings.
Proficient in desktop publishing software and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, and PowerPoint).
Preferred Qualifications
Three (3) years of experience in child welfare; demonstrated experience with community partnership building and community engagement.
Travel
This position may require travel up to 20% of the time.
Perks at Upbring
Competitive PTO & paid holidays.
Health, dental, vision insurance & more.
403(b) plan.
Employee Assistance Program.
Discounted gym memberships.
Physical Demands & Work Conditions
Requires sitting, looking, and using a computer for long periods.
Constant exposure to children.
Frequent standing and walking.
Lift, push, pull, and move up to 25 lbs.
Equal Employment Opportunity Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
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