Job Description

The Community Specialist builds relationships within Communities in Schools under the supervision of the Future Ready Project Manager. They work closely with Site Coordinators, campus staff, key stakeholders, and community partners to address each school’s unique needs. Their role includes coordinating partner training, ensuring quality programming, and supporting various projects. By connecting schools with resources and services, the Community Specialist ensures schools have the necessary support to provide meaningful opportunities for students. They manage a portfolio of school partners, maintaining regular communication, collecting data, conducting school visits, and nurturing relationships.

• Support a specified portfolio of schools with partners/resources/services that address needs and priorities identified by campus within the program objectives.
• Build positive and productive relationships with school personnel including CIS-SA staff as well as each school’s leadership and/or administration teams.
• Develop and implement strategies for creating partnerships between schools and our network of community partners.
• Actively refer available student-focused programs and services to key personnel of Student Support Team within schools across a specified portfolio of schools
• Follow-up on referrals regularly to ensure that connections are being made or that alternative services are being referred to meet need; and gaining feedback as to the efficacy of the connected program.
• Identify the school or district liaison who can assist with needs assessments, program evaluation, facilitate partner appreciation, and enhance awareness of CIS-SA and partners.
• Research and identify potential community partners in coordination with the Future Ready Project Manager and the Strategic Partnership Manager to service providers to meet key needs of the portfolio of schools served by the Community Specialist.
• Serve as the partnership navigator ensuring that all parties have clear communication and understanding of roles and expectations.
• Support the work of the site coordinators and campus personnel with positive and innovative solutions to challenges.
• Assist in gathering key District and School stakeholders to provide program feedback and support continuous improvement efforts.

• Foster relationships and develop champions with local businesses, community-based organizations, faith leaders, and/or all relevant stakeholders that lead to positive engagement of the community, neighborhoods, and residents surrounding the portfolio schools.
• Coordinate and lead planning and problem-solving activities to effectively address challenges and concerns related to access to services in the areas surrounding the portfolio schools.
• Facilitate ongoing meetings within the assigned portfolio of schools to ensure that collaboration, coordination, and clear communication exist with CIS-SA staff, district campuses and community-based partners.
• Represent CIS-SA in relevant community or coalition groups and/or convenings with community partners or districts.

• Collect and analyze data related to school partner connections and monitor school/ agency partnerships implementation of programming and services to improve our support of schools and increase program connections and integrity of program.
• Maintain detailed reports of school and agency partnerships for the portfolio of schools; and
• Complete monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting necessary for monitoring of programming, evaluation, and sharing with stakeholders.

• Coordinate with Training and Education Department to plan and/or facilitate trainings, and networking events for school and agency partners to build and deepen partner capacity and collaboration.
• Identify quality speakers or trainers in the community and among partners to offer relevant trainings for Student Support Team and campus staff, agency partners, families, and/or youth to address needs and build capacity.
• Collaborate with internal CIS-SA departments, Student Support Teams, and other relevant partners to understand what training is needed and how to strengthen training efforts.
• Participate in training on Restorative Practices and other Healing Frameworks to support implementation and provide guidance to District and School stakeholders to improve school culture and climate.

• Manage timecard.
• Attend and participate in all mandatory agency meetings.
• Complete required departmental reports within deadlines.

• Passion
• Compassion
• Collaboration
• Optimism
• Adaptability

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Public Health, Psychology, Sociology, or related field
• Two years relevant work experience
• Ability to read, interpret and apply contractual terms and provisions.
• Experience with data analysis, data evaluation and/or database management
• Front of room training or presenting experience
• Demonstrating empathy toward clients, their challenges, and viewpoints
• Understanding and respecting diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives
• Proven ability to set priorities, manage multiple responsibilities, meet deadlines and work with minimal supervision.
• Communicating effectively to understand needs, convey information and collaborate on solutions. Adaptable to diverse work environments, frequent changes, and various leadership styles.
• Knowledge of social service resources that can support social, emotional, and academic needs.

• Experience with cross-sector collaboratives and/or change management.
• Experience with Project Management
• Experience administering multi-year grants and contracts.

• Strong organizational skills along with excellent oral and written communication ability
• A willingness to follow the CIS-SA model, be adaptable to client and system change, and coordinate efforts in a collaborative team environment.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional and ethical behavior in all interactions and interventions.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Must be able to pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check.