Training & Outreach Specialist

Description

Are you interested in making a difference in your community? Are you passionate about helping others who are in need across different groups? Do you value work life balance? If you answer yes to these questions, Bay Area Legal Services may be the workplace for you!

Bay Area Legal Services is a non-profit law firm serving the Tampa Bay area for over 50 years. We assist low-income residents, veterans, seniors, children, domestic violence survivors, and many more.

Our Mission: Providing the highest quality legal counsel by:

• Assisting individuals and non-profit groups with limited access to legal services;
• Resolving the legal problems of clients; and
• Preserving the independence, hope, and dignity of those we serve.

Our Vision: Creating pathways to justice through high-quality legal services, education and community partnerships.

Position Title: Training & Outreach Specialist, FosterPower (Lived-Experience Required)

Office Location:

• Office is based in Tampa, FL, but hybrid and remote may be considered
• Must be a Florida resident
• Must attend a one-day in-person orientation at the firm's main office (Ybor City)
• Travel throughout Florida is required (up to 20% of work time will be travel)
• Some travel to the firm's Tampa offices is expected
• Some travel out of state is expected

Bay Area Legal Services' FosterPower program seeks to fill a full-time Training & Outreach Specialist position available to work remotely in Florida. (Eligible for benefits).

Created by Bay Area Legal Services, FosterPower is an award-winning free app and website giving Florida's foster youth access to easy, digestible information about their benefits, protections, and legal rights (independent living, medical health, education, the court process, placement, protections for LGBTQ+ youth, monetary allowance, and more). It also includes 30+ short-form videos sharing the experiences of former youth in foster care. In addition, FosterPower provides in-person and virtual training for youth in foster care and child welfare professionals on children's legal rights while they remain in care.

The Training & Outreach Specialist is a critical position that will support and grow FosterPower's program throughout Florida. Using effective training programs and outreach strategies, this role has a significant focus on connecting directly with children and young adults, and involves delivering training programs to youth in and aging out of foster care and child welfare professionals such as case managers, foster parents, child protective investigators, community-based care agencies, and more.

The role also involves conducting training events, coordinating presentations/exhibits at local and national conferences, and building partnerships with child welfare organizations and professionals. Travel is expected across the state to conduct in-person events, training sessions, and network building, as well as organizing virtual training, and promoting this work. The role also requires creating content for social media platforms including Instagram and TikTok, and engaging youth via virtual platforms. 

This position reports to FosterPower's legal director and collaborates closely with the FosterPower team.

Requirements

Illustrative Duties:

• Willing and comfortable sharing your personal experiences in the foster care system.
• Organize, plan, and manage virtual and in-person training sessions and outreach events for all non-attorney training.
• Network and collaborate with children and young adults in foster care and key youth-focused stakeholders across Florida.
• Work with the legal director to schedule attendance, presentations, and exhibits at local and national conferences.
• Work with the legal director to coordinate and engage FosterPower's Florida advisory board members.
• Ability to travel to attend/conduct various training, events, etc.
• Coordinate event logistics, including scheduling, venue setup, and participant registration.
• Engage with partner organizations during events to foster a positive and supportive environment.
• Promote training and outreach events on social media and other communication channels to ensure high engagement and participation.
• Create social media content to empower youth and encourage use of the FosterPower app
• Assist with FosterPower's communication efforts, including social media, flyers, newsletters, etc.
• Organize and attend outreach events, conferences, etc. to promote FosterPower's mission.
• Perform administrative duties such as overseeing scheduling, mailings, printing, promo items, etc.
• Prepare and submit program and expense reports monthly.
• Support FosterPower's program activities as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Applicants must have lived experience as a former child or young adult in Florida's foster care system
• Passionate about FosterPower's mission and values
• Comfortable presenting and training for large groups in-person and virtually

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects at once
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work independently, think creatively and problem-solve
• Ability to collaborate with a team
• Strong written and verbal skills and ability to write and create content
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products (i.e., Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Quick ability to learn new technology and software (i.e., Slack, Airtable, Zoom, Canva)
• 15% travel required – minimum once monthly (2-3 days) to attend/conduct various training, events, etc.
• Ability to travel to outreach and training sites as required by grant objectives
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and ability to rent and drive vehicles

Desirable Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of experience working with children and young adults
• Experience within the child welfare system through direct lived experience, or professional work is preferred
• Professional experience in leadership training, youth or student organizations/groups, legislation, or policies
• Experience with youth advocacy or youth organizing within the child welfare system
• Understanding of child welfare issues and policy
• Experience planning, leading events, and promotion of events using various methods including social media and other tools
• Experience writing and facilitating curriculum and training
• Experience managing projects
• Work from home experience is a plus
• Bilingual in English/Spanish is a plus but not required