COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
ORGANIZATION SUMMARY
Us Helping Us is a mission-driven nonprofit known for its work at the intersection of service delivery, community education and mobilization, advocacy and research. For the past 30 years, Us Helping Us has provided innovative services, programs and activities to improve the health and wellbeing of racial, sexual and gender minorities, especially Black gay and bisexual men, people with HIV (PWH), and persons with substance use and mental health disorders. As it exists today, we currently operate two office locations in the greater Washington, DC area and offer a variety of clinical, behavioral health and social services in a trusting, compassionate and non-judgmental environment. We are currently hiring for a Community Engagement Specialist and are looking for a personable, focused, and independently motivated professional to join our healthcare team.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Community Engagement Specialist will identify and develop partnerships with individuals, communities, organizations and decision-makers in the Washington, DC area. The Community Engagement Specialist will also be responsible for promoting and educating Black gay, bisexual and other sexual minority men (SMM), Black cisgender and transgender women and Black heterosexual men about the medical, behavioral and social services offered at Us Helping Us (and our collaborative partners). Finally, the Community Engagement Specialist will host and/or participate in community events internal and external to Us Helping Us, represent Us Helping Us at external community events and meetings, and be fully engaged in Us Helping Us’ community outreach and advocacy efforts.
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Reporting to the Community Engagement and Partnerships Manager, the Community Engagement Specialist will have the following responsibilities:
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Perform community engagement and mobilization efforts with individuals, communities, organizations and decision-makers in the greater Washington, DC area to educate them about and promote organizational programs, services, and activities.
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Develop and maintain a database of actual and potential collaborative partners to promote and support organizational programs, services and activities.
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Perform diversity, inclusion and racial, sexual and gender minority affirming trainings with communities, organizations and decision-makers in the Washington, DC area where Black SMM, Black women and other racial, sexual and gender minorities live, work, play and age.
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Perform strategic mapping activities to understand the geographic distribution of collaborative partners, organizational institutions and decision-makers and inter-connected and inter-sectional relationships.
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Build rapport with community members, including Black SMM, Black women, and Black heterosexual men, and ensure courteous interactions during all engagement activities.
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Attend and/or represent the organization (in the absence of the Executive Director or other executives) at critical community-based and decision-making (i.e., city council) meetings.
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Develop, coordinate and support activities designed to promote the recruitment of priority populations including community/venue- and virtual-based strategies.
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Participate in the provision of activities, events and services for Black SMM, Black women, and Black heterosexual men hosted by Us Helping Us and it collaborative partners.
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Develop and organize materials and supplies for all activities, events and services that we host, including the collection of participants demographic and contact information.
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Perform duties as assigned.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
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Excellent interpersonal, team building and problem solving and decision-making skills. Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to put theory in practice, provide clarity during chaos; and ability to find innovative ways to resolve problems.
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Effective verbal and written communication skills as well as organizational and stress management skills.
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Commitment: Passion for the mission of the organization, including a strong commitment to working to improve the health and quality of life of LGBTQ+ youth and adults, and improving the health and well-being of racial, sexual and gender minorities.
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Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of the DMV and issues that TGNC youth with histories of homelessness face; effective advocacy efforts to improve quality of life and local housing and employment resources. Intermediate computer skills, including use of Microsoft Office and electronic health record (e.g., eClinicalWorks) and data systems.
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Skills: Demonstrated ability to conduct sensitive, empathetic interviews and conversations that respect the dignity and diversity of our clients. Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to put theory in practice. Ability to help manage conflict. Ability to maintain client records and information in an accurate, timely and confidential manner.
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Personal qualities: Sound judgment, ability to work independently (with limited supervision), but cohesively, with medical and social service providers and ability to work effectively in a busy and ever-changing environment. Excellent customer service is key.
Experience and Education:
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A bachelor’s degree in communications or health-related discipline; or an associate’s degree in health-related field or another applicable discipline and two (2) years of related work experience; or a high school diploma/GED and four (4) years of related work experience.
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Two (2) years of experience in facilitating community-based participatory HIV prevention and PrEP care services, including the provision of community awareness and testing events.
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Have a valid driver's license with no DUI or major moving violation in the past 5 years. Regular travel within the greater Washington, DC area is required for this position.
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Experience working with diverse persons and communities, including racial minorities and LGBTQ+ youth and adults, women and other minorities and communities in the DMV.
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Willingness to participate in professional development trainings to expand intrapersonal skills, problem solving and decision making, verbal and written communication skills and organizational and stress management skills.
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Bilingual English/Spanish and/or other languages strongly preferred.
Specifications:
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The annual salary is $55,000 - $70,000 (based on experience) plus a generous benefits package, including 80/20 employer/employee-paid health insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, short-term disability and federally observed holidays.
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This is a full-time position (working a minimum of 40 hours per week) and includes regular evening and weekend commitments.
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U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. with a valid work permit required.
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Must submit to a background investigation and drug test.
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Us Helping Us has a smoke-free environment and non-smokers are preferred. Excellent personal hygiene is a must.
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To apply, send cover letter and resume with CES – Last Name in the subject line to: communications@uhupil.org or click here.
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