Community Liaison - Bilingual Spanish/Arabic Family Enrichment Center

Position: Community Liaison - Bilingual Spanish/Arabic

Program: Family Enrichment Center

Reports to: Program Director

Work Location: 2760 W 33rd, Brooklyn, New York 11224

Status: Part Time

Hours/Schedule: Monday - Friday Afternoons and Evenings up to 25 hours per week between 1:00pm and 7:00pm

Salary Range: $25.00 per hour - $25.00 per hour

A Family Enrichment Center (FEC) is a family-centered, place-based primary prevention approach, where all members of the community have access to and may benefit from both structured or spontaneous activities and events (called “offerings”) that strengthen family protective factors to increase child and family well-being and promote stability. FEC offerings are available to everyone, regardless of current or past child welfare involvement.

The goal of the Family Enrichment Center (FEC) is to enhance child and family well-being by providing access and support to enable the strengthening of family protective factors inherent in its residents and community by building mutual community connections, capacity, and resilience.

In partnership with FEC staff, families will drive the planning, development, and sustainable co-ownership of the centers. Families who participate in the FEC programming will be encouraged to share their expertise by volunteering at the center and given meaningful opportunities to engage with neighbors and peers. The goal of the FEC is to strengthen families’ protective factors and build community connections, capacity, and resilience.

Position Summary:

The Community Liaison contributes to the day-to-day operation of the Family Enrichment Center (FEC) by helping to develop and maintain a parent or advisory group; cultivating relationships with other community groups and stakeholders to collaborate around meeting community needs; ensuring a warm and welcoming atmosphere at the FEC program where information, referrals, and resources are freely offered and exchanged to support the needs of participants; and joining and/or creating a network of resources by serving on community district committees, attending local school meetings and events, and building relationships with local businesses and faith-based groups. The Community Liaison is focused on building connections using a warm, engaging, and enthusiastic communication style to enhance and support the family protective factors of FEC participants and community members.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and nurture collaborative and effective relationships with community stakeholders in order to provide relevant offerings and programming around key issues of significance to the community.

• Work collaboratively with local community organizations, public institutions (e.g. schools, etc.) coalitions, and others to engage the participation of families in developing, implementing, and participating in the Family Enrichment Centers' offerings.

• Gather and disseminate resource material and referral information regarding issues and themes significant to the Coney Island community and of importance to the FEC participants.

• Train community residents, program participants, and staff in the skills of outreach, engagement, and recruitment in order to ensure full utilization of FEC programs and activities.

• Identify and develop emerging community leaders to assume leadership roles as mentors, teachers, group leaders, and constituent representatives on matters of collective impact.

• Attend Community Board meetings, school meetings, and other community-based meetings as appropriate.

• Identify and maintain up-to-date information on key community issues and trends impacting children, youth, and families.

• Create guides, toolkits, or other tools that help increase resident awareness of and ability to connect to local resources, services, and other supports

• Promote opportunities for youth, families, and community residents to participate in FEC program planning and implementation.

• Provide opportunities for community members to work and celebrate together in order to foster a sense of belonging, pride, and mutual responsibility.

• Supervise interns and volunteers, as appropriate.

• Work collaboratively with funders to develop, track and evaluate program efforts and outcomes.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and three (3) years of professional experience; or a High School diploma and five (5) years of professional experience.

• Successful experience should be in community organizing, building partnerships, and/or community-led programs preferred

• Knowledge of, lived experience in, and commitment to the FEC community.

• Outstanding people/interpersonal, community organizing, collaboration, and advocacy skills.

• Comfort and ease in facilitating groups of families, adults, and community stakeholders are required.

• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate clearly, effectively, and collaboratively with a range of people from diverse backgrounds and circumstances

• Ability to trouble-shoot complex issues

• Ability to work a flexible schedule including occasional evenings or weekends as needed to attend community meetings/events and/or program activities.

• Deep understanding of the Brooklyn

• Bilingual skills in Spanish or Arabic a plus

• Previous work experience in a social service agency or non-profit organization

• Interest in working with underserved populations.

• Familiarity electronic data records systems

BCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities