Program Coordinator, Community Outreach

About United Way of Rhode Island

United Way of Rhode Island has stood alongside the people of Rhode Island for nearly 100 years—connecting neighbors, mobilizing resources, and driving solutions to our state's most pressing challenges. As we approach our next century of service, our Strong Rhode Island strategic framework carries that legacy forward with focus, humility, and determination.

Our vision is that every Rhode Island family is economically stable, with access to opportunity, support, and the power to shape their future. Our mission is to invest in community-led solutions that build economic stability, support strong families, and drive racial equity so every Rhode Islander can thrive.

We organize our work around a clear goal: to ensure every Rhode Island family is economically stable and thriving. Strong Families is our North Star, and it is supported by two strategic enablers—Strong Nonprofits and a Strong United Way—with equity embedded throughout. We define family broadly: relatives, chosen family, friends, neighbors, and the support systems that help people meet today's needs and build tomorrow's opportunities.

We use the ALICE framework (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) to reveal the economic and community conditions of people who are struggling financially and to drive the change needed to create financial stability. Nearly one in three Rhode Island households earns above the federal poverty level but still cannot afford essentials like housing, childcare, food, transportation, and healthcare. These are the neighbors—childcare workers, retail staff, healthcare aides—who hold our communities together but live one emergency away from crisis.

We center racial equity because race still shapes who has access to opportunity in Rhode Island. These gaps are not accidental—they stem from long-standing policies and practices. We also recognize that many people face compounded disadvantages connected to sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, income, and other factors. By centering racial equity and working to change the systems that hold people back, we aim to remove barriers and expand opportunity for everyone.

Learn more at https://www.unitedwayri.org/

Position Summary

The Program Coordinator, Community Outreach plays a vital role in developing and implementing outreach programs to engage target audiences, promote the organization's mission and services, and build positive relationships with the community. This position requires a dynamic and organized individual with excellent communication skills and a passion for fostering community engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Community Engagement

• Research and coordinate outreach events.
• Act as a liaison between the organization and the community, developing relationships with individuals and community partners.

Outreach Programming

• Plan, promote, and deliver outreach services to public and social service providers through fairs, monthly schedule events, enrollment events, rallies, parades & presentations, etc.
• Provide direct services as needed with one-on-one conversations, community resource navigation, including comprehensive knowledge of all United Way programs and a detailedawareness of social service and healthcare programs available in RI.
• Provide direct assistance with SNAP applications, recertifications, and factual information.
• Maintain a supportive, safe, and comfortable environment within the RV to promote assistance to visitors.

Data Tracking

• Coordinate, collect, and provide to supervisor detailed statisticalinformation on outreach activities.

Collaboration

• Collaborate with team members and external partners to ensure effective strategies and maximize impact.

Outreach Vehicles

• Assist with driving the 29-ft. outreach RV to various locations across RI.
• Assist with maintenance and operation of the outreach RV.

Personalized Justice, Equity Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) Pathways Journey

Every UWRI employee utilizes the JEDI Pathways Framework to identify and commit to professional growth and development. In this role, that includes:

• Develop and implement a personalized JEDI Growth Plan with your supervisor that establishes baselines and tracks growth across the three JEDI domains, two spheres of influence (interpersonal and within UWRI/sociopolitical systems), and your level of practice (Emerging, Developing, Practicing).
• Complete the annual JEDI self-assessment honestly and use it to identify priorities for ongoing learning and growth.
• Participate in annual JEDI training, monthly learning and reflection opportunities, and at least onequarterly teach-back of a JEDI learning experience.
• Engage with UWRI JEDI initiatives such as the Equity Challenge, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), the Heritage and Professionals group, and the Culture, Equity and Strengths Committee (CES).
• Participate in community, state, or national JEDI growth opportunities (including United Way Worldwide) as relevant to your role.

Our Core Values

Every member of Team United is expected to embody and act in alignment with our five core values. These values shape how we treat callers, how we support one another, and how we show up for and with the community. 

How You Show Up: UWRI Values & JEDI Orientations in Action

In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, your role includes consistently showing up in ways that demonstrate the UWRI values and the aligned JEDI orientations. Successful Program Coordinators, Community Outreach will build and grow foundational skills across all three domains of the UWRI JEDI Pathways Framework, grounded in our core values.  Examples of  how the values and orientations come alive day to day in this role:

Courage

• Shows courage by engaging directly with community members in unfamiliar or high-need settings, including driving and staffing the outreach RV at events across the state.

Integrity

• Acts with integrity by maintaining accurate, honest reporting of outreach activities and providing reliable, judgment-free informationand resourcesto community members seeking services.

Collaboration

• Builds collaboration by partnering with community organizations, social service providers, and internal team members to coordinate outreach events and maximize shared impact.

Equity

• Centers equity by meeting people where they are, offering one-on-one support that reflects awareness of the social service and healthcare barriers Rhode Islanders face.

Learning

• Demonstrates learning by staying currenton United Way programs and RI social service and healthcare resources, and by continuously refining outreach approaches based on data collected.
• Implement 70/20/10 activities in your annual Goal & Growth plan, including personal and team reflections, individual and shared learning, and integration of learning into practice.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Experience in one-on-one counseling or short-term case management.
• Experience in social services and/or community outreach.

• Ability to work independentlyand as part of a team, managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal, collaboration, thought-partner, organizational, and communication skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with productivity tools such as Microsoft 365, Asana, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platforms.
• A Bachelor's degree or similar training in social work, human services, or a related field is a plus.
• Commitment to United Way of Rhode Island's mission and values.
• Clean driving record and willingness to drive the outreach RV.
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends.
• Certifications (if not already held, training provided): Inform USA Certification; Inform USA Recertification (every two years); CAC Certification.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary:competitive, commensurate with relevant experience and skills, and within the budgeted range of$48,750.00 – $72,000.00(full-time; prorated for part-time).
• Benefits:comprehensive benefits package for those meeting agency threshold, including healthcare, dental, and vision coverage; flexible spending account; retirement match; and more.
• Work–life balance:37.5-hour standard workweek; if you meet the agency benefit threshold, you annually earn prorated paid leave, floating holidays, personal days, and sick days. Workflow design includes time for reflection, learning, and unpredictable tasks.
• Learning & development:individual and collective programs supporting organizational and career growth, includingCliftonStrengths® by Gallup, the JEDI Pathways Framework, AIRS certification, and ongoing learning offerings.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

This role involves regular community-based outreach, including driving and staffing a 29-ft. outreach RV at events across Rhode Island, and requires the physical, cognitive, and scheduling flexibility described below. Reasonable accommodations are available and can be requested at any time during the hiring process or employment.

A typical shift

• Travels regularly to community locations across Rhode Island to staff outreach events, fairs, enrollment drives, rallies, and parades. Drives and helps maintain the 29-ft. outreach RV, and engages directly and in person with community members and social service partners throughout the shift.

Office tasks

• Compiles and reports statistical information on outreach activities to a supervisor; uses Microsoft 365, Asana, and CRM platforms for scheduling, documentation, and data tracking.

Schedule & setting

• 37.5-hour standard workweek with regular travel throughout Rhode Island; occasional night and weekend hours required to staff evening or weekendoutreach events.

Emotional & cognitive demands

• Maintains a supportive, safe, and comfortable environment for visitors, often providing one-on-one guidance to individuals navigating difficult circumstances; balances direct community interaction with independent planning and coordination work.

Equal Opportunity & Disclaimer

United Way of Rhode Island is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; LGBTQ+ individuals; people with disabilities; and people with lived experience of the issues we work to address.

This job description is intended to convey the essential functions of this position. It is not an exhaustive list of skills, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the role, and it may evolve as the needs of the community and the organization change.

Employee Acknowledgment

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the responsibilities, competencies, behaviors, and expectations described in this job description. I understand that this role requires active and ongoing commitment to learn and integrate JEDI concepts and practices. I commit to embodying UWRI's core values—Courage, Integrity, Collaboration, Equity, and Learning—in my work with colleagues, partners, and community members.