Community Connections is seeking a Coordinator to oversee information and referral services, as well as programming in the area of health equity. The ideal candidate will have strong written and verbal communications skills and have experience in connecting community members to resources offered by other organizations, including food banks, community gardens, healthcare and mental health providers, and other organizations that support health equity for economically disadvantaged people. 

Please include a cover letter and resume with your application.

Please note that this position requires bilingual English/Spanish skills and interviews will be conducted in English and Spanish. 

SUMMARY:
Under general supervision coordinates information and referral services, outreach, and programming to reach community members in need.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

 

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

Provide bilingual (English/Spanish) services through connecting and sharing program and service information with individuals, non-profits, non-governmental agencies, faith communities, businesses, schools, homeless service providers, and other organizations. 

Build relationships with partner organizations through coordinating gatherings and conducting regular outreach.  Maintain current contact lists and inventories of partner programs and promote them through conversations, the distribution of bilingual English/Spanish literature, social media posts, presentations, and through other print and electronic means. Develop bilingual English/Spanish traveling resource displays to use at conferences, community meetings, resource fairs, and other events to promote Community Connections, partner, and City of Thornton programming. 

Serve community members in need by responding to requests for service by phone, email, and in person both during outreach and from the office.   Make referrals to internal city and external partner programming according to individual needs. Provides excellent bilingual English/Spanish person-centered and trauma informed service, working as a guide in navigating resources. Develop and distribute bilingual English/Spanish resource and promotional materials.  Provide translation and interpretation services as needed.

Conduct surveys and collect data related to community need.  Oversee data collection from external partners. Analyze data and report trends and observations. Create and maintain spreadsheets, files, records, contact lists, and complete entries into division database.

Keep current on issues, policy, programs, models, and grant funding options that impact the work of the division. Develop informational presentations for partners, community organizations, and city staff. May present to Council. Provides assistance with inquiries from the public, staff, and city leadership. 

Serve on boards, committees, task forces, and attend community meetings in order to plan and promote existing resources and to identify gaps in service, conceptualizing new programming to fill those gaps when appropriate.

Collaborate with community-based organizations to host educational programs, resource fairs, workshops, conferences, and special events.

Monitor and evaluate program inclusiveness. 

Develop a methodology for evaluating effectiveness of outreach programs and services. 
Collect data on interactions with partners and community members. Prepare monthly and annual program reports.

Prepare and submit a budget for program area.

Works evenings and weekends as necessary. 

Performs other duties as assigned.

Each Community Connections Coordinator will specialize in a key area:

Health Equity including community gardens, farmer’s markets, food bank outreach, healthcare, substance abuse prevention, and mental health.

Education and employment including school outreach, mentoring, life skills training, scholarship options, internships, and adult education.

Establish and maintain partner engagement including, but not limited to, faith-based outreach, holiday programming, Thornton Assistance Funds, community stakeholders, non-profit partnerships, other grant funding streams, and special populations including seniors, veterans, refugees, immigrants, people with disabilities, and victims of domestic violence.

Homelessness including street outreach, surveying, mapping, coordination of emergency shelter, participation in the development of a regional strategy to address homelessness, and Point In Time (PIT) coordination.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education/Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work or related field from an accredited college or university; two years' experience in coordinating outreach or working with lower income or otherwise marginalized populations required. Experience working collaboratively with non-profits, the faith-based community, and other partners preferred. Bilingual in Spanish required. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Licensing/Certification Requirements: 
May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires.

Knowledge Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the city of Thornton, the Parks, Recreation, and Community Programs department, and the Community Connections division.
Knowledge of the general operations and staff of the city of Thornton's various departments and divisions.
Knowledge of purchasing policies, procedures, and principles of budgeting, and the ability to prepare a budget for program area.
Knowledge of developing community programs for specific audiences such as low income, unemployed, unhoused populations, seniors and teens.
Knowledge of issues and concerns facing low-income populations, seniors, caregivers, teens, and people who are unhoused, unemployed, or underemployed, and their families.
Knowledge of federal and local programs that provide healthcare, disability, veteran, financial, food, and other benefits.
Skill in working with diverse audiences in a culturally sensitive and inclusive manner.
Skill in planning and coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating Community Connections special events and programs.
Skill in conducting research on issues and concerns facing unhoused, unemployed, low-income populations, seniors, and youth by applying analytical skills for determining need for new programs.
Skill in developing presentations, public speaking, and leading discussions with diverse audiences.
Ability to use standard office equipment, computer equipment, and software including word processing, database management, spreadsheet applications, and electronic mail.
Ability to communicate effectively in English and Spanish, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city employees, other agencies, and the public.
Ability to create bilingual English/Spanish forms, manuals, and brochures and to use marketing tools to promote programming through print media, internet, social media, television, radio, etc.
Ability to supervise, direct and train volunteers.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, finger, grasp, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly medium work; exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The employee is required to have close visual acuity. The employee is subject to both inside and outside conditions. 

 

TESTING PROCEDURES

Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources.

Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration.

As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.

The City of Thornton is an equal opportunity employer. 

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, finger, grasp, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly medium work; exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The employee is required to have close visual acuity. The employee is subject to both inside and outside conditions.