Community Outreach and Youth Enrichment Specialist

Are you passionate about working for an organization that serves to empower and uplift students through the education system by removing barriers and helping students realize their fullest potential? Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. We achieve our mission by hiring bright, creative, and innovative team members who demonstrate a passion for what they do.

If this is you, are you All In For Kids?

Communities In Schools is hiring a Communities In Schools is hiring a Community Outreach & Youth Enrichment Specialist who is responsible for identifying agency-wide volunteer needs; recruiting, orienting and training volunteers; making appropriate site placements; supporting staff to utilize volunteers; maintaining the volunteer database; evaluating the volunteer program; and coordinating volunteer appreciation efforts to support CIS programs and further the organization’s mission. This position frequently represents CIS of Central Texas in the community and serves as the primary contact for volunteer activities, including individuals, corporate and service groups, interns, and special events.

The Specialist is also responsible for summer programming, assisting with the design, coordination and implementation of special events for students and families, incentive field trips, and youth development programs. In addition, this position will be responsible for developing and leading staff trainings related to youth enrichment topics and activities.

Who we are:

Rooted in community for over 40 years, Communities In Schools of Central Texas is a sophisticated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Austin, Texas. Communities In Schools (CIS) is a national organization that ensures every student has what they need to realize their full potential in school and beyond.

Who you are:

First and foremost, we are looking for amazing people who have diverse backgrounds and experiences, are inspired by our mission, and are highly motivated to change children's lives through education. You will be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, and the people around you to the next level.

What we offer:

CIS offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience in a similar position. The starting salary range for this position is $4,166.67/mo. Salaries are determined by qualifications and relevant experience. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and midpoint depending on experience and in alignment with internal equity.

Some of our benefits:

• Generous time off includes 4+ weeks of paid holiday leave, and 2 weeks of paid vacation time
• Three (3) Paid Personal Days
• Twelve (12) Paid Sick Leave Days
• CIS pays for 100% of the employee premium for the base medical insurance plan, and we provide a subsidy to support coverage for spouse/domestic partner and children
• Dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options
• This position is eligible to receive a supervisory stipend and a Spanish proficiency stipend
• Professional development
• 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• We offer an inclusive environment where staff are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work every day

What you’ll bring:

• 2+ years’ experience developing, managing, and training volunteers in a professional or volunteer capacity is required; experience in a school setting or on multiple sites is highly preferred
• 2+ years’ experience developing and leading experiential, enriching youth programs
• Demonstrated experience coordinating the design and creation of materials to market/promote programs and events
• Demonstrated experience organizing and facilitating events for small and large groups of students and families
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-collaborative work groups for multiple teams, contractors, and vendors
• Demonstrated experience creating and facilitating training programs for staff and volunteers
• Demonstrated experience in executing projects effectively with little direction
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in social work, education, or human services field
• Knowledge of principles and practices of supervising, training, and managing volunteers
• Knowledge of principles and practices of developing, designing, coordinating, and evaluating recreational out of school time and/or summer programs, activities, and events
• Strong project management, time management, and organizational skills to effectively supervise projects to completion
• Solid communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to be personable yet persuasive
• Ability to collaborate with executives, operations teams, creative teams, program development teams, and community partners
• Strong skills and demonstrated ability to track and assess data from different audiences to guide program design and implementation
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment and work independently on complex initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to operate with humility, an open mind, and a sense of urgency
• Demonstrated ability to thrive under pressure in complex and ambiguous situations
• Demonstrated ability to maintain professional demeanor and appearance
• Access to reliable transportation is necessary

What you’ll do:

Community Outreach

• Collaborate with other members of the Program Support Services Team, senior program staff, development staff, and communications department to identify volunteer and program partnerships that provide meaningful and productive experiences for volunteers while meeting the needs of the clients
• Develop and implement a variety of effective strategies to recruit and retain qualified volunteers and interns with the appropriate abilities and aptitudes
• Seek out, manage, and foster volunteer program partnerships, including university volunteer groups and corporate or civic groups
• Develop and implement volunteer application and interview protocols to achieve the best match between the skills, qualifications, and interests of the volunteers and the needs of the organization
• Conduct and manage criminal history checks on all volunteer applicants
• Ensure that volunteers are given appropriate training to be successful, adapting training as necessary in accordance with upcoming trends and relevant topics, and needs
• Serve as an ambassador/advocate for CIS and promote the volunteer program to gain community and organizational support
• Make presentations about CIS to large companies, community organizations, and university departments
• Regularly review and administer policies and procedures, including school district requirements for mentoring and partnerships
• Manage partner “Memorandum of Understanding” (MOU) and campus agreements
• Implement forms and recordkeeping systems to document volunteer activities
• Conduct ongoing evaluation of the program and services delivered by volunteers and interns, recommending and implementing improvements as identified and/or necessary
• Prepare quarterly reports documenting volunteer program outcomes and highlighting contributions made
• Assist with developing the annual budget for volunteer program activities and administration, and monitoring expenditures for the program against the approved budget
• Assist with conflict resolution among volunteers, staff, and clients in accordance with established procedures
• Assist with planning, coordinating, and implementing a Volunteer Appreciation Plan, volunteer recognition events, and other volunteer events
• Regularly evaluate the volunteer program, deploying surveys and analyzing results on the extent, nature, and value of volunteer services including student outcomes

Youth Enrichment Services

• Plan, develop, coordinate and schedule age-appropriate out-of-school time activities in collaboration with the Director, including creating budgets and scheduling programming activities, field trips, special events, and appropriate staffing
• Book reservations, negotiate contracts and fees for activities, field trips and events
• Prepare and review payments, cash receipts, billing, or other accounting transactions by verifying documentation and accurately completing transactions
• Create the summer supply kit and manage distribution
• Manage the Lending Library, general inventory, and create systems to track and manage supplies and materials
• Host internal and external input sessions for program feedback and new program input
• Regularly evaluate the volunteer program, deploying surveys and analyzing results on the extent, nature, and value of youth enrichment programs, including student outcomes

General Responsibilities

• Develop and implement staff training re: volunteers and youth enrichment programs in collaboration with the Director
• Develop and modify plans, polices and SOP re: volunteers and youth enrichment programs in collaboration with the Director
• Design and create marketing materials in collaboration with the Director
• Assist with soliciting sponsorships for programs and special events
• Participate in the CIS team approach to service delivery and problem-solving
• Promote and maintain agency culture, standards, and systems
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Volunteer Engagement & Youth Enrichment Programs and Sr. Director of Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships

Reporting structure: This position is supervised by the Director of Volunteer Engagement & Youth Enrichment Programs and may supervise volunteers, work-study students, interns, or VISTA members as appropriate.

Location: This is a full-time, in-person position based at Communities In Schools of Central Texas’, St. Elmo office with frequent travel within the Central Texas 5-county region. The Specialist will be required to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Applications for this position will remain open until filled.

Communities In Schools of Central Texas is an equal-opportunity employer.