Community Engagement Specialist at The Community Builders Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland

Job Description:

The Community Builders, Inc. (TCB) is a nationally recognized nonprofit developer, owner and manager of affordable and mixed-income residential and commercial properties. Our mission is to build and sustain strong communities where all people can thrive. We do this by developing, financing, and operating high quality affordable mixed-income housing, by coordinating access to support services, and by planning and implementing other community and economic initiatives critical to the communities we serve. Every employee who works for The Community Builders understands what it means to make a significant difference in the lives of others.

About Community Life: Community Life is TCB's place-based model that uses stable housing as a platform for connecting families, seniors and disabled households to community resources and opportunities so they can thrive. We engage residents in creating programs and building strategic partnerships with local stakeholders to create pathways to opportunities in early education, economic mobility, youth development, voting registration, health, and resident leadership.

Position Description:

Under direct supervision of the Director of Community Life, the Community Engagement Specialist will work closely with community partners and stakeholders to develop and implement strategies to increase community safety and opportunities in Pedestal Apartments. The essential functions of this role are as follow:

Essential Functions:

- Develop strategies and activities to increase community safety and engagement among youth including effective strategies to connect with disconnected young males.

- Build a network of organizations, partners and stakeholders invested in providing opportunities for youth and young adults.

- Identify and engage with community-based organizations, academic institutions, and faith-based leaders who are invested in addressing community violence.

- Attend safety and violence prevention meetings with police, security and other partners.

- Walk the community specially during the afterschool hours and weekends to engage and build rapport with youth.

- Engage with parents and caregivers to understand their concerns about their children and community.

- Provide trauma-informed response and support to site teams experiencing traumatic events.

- Work in collaboration and in coordination with the Site Security Team and police to keep community safe for our residents.

- Build a resident/neighborhood-based safety program. Locate champions within the community to lead the program. Establish a quarterly resident safety awareness meeting.

- Work closely with team members to ensure effective communication between Property Management, community partners, agencies, funders, and TCB corporate.

- Cultivate community relationships across neighboring communities to work towards developing a sustainable community integration plan.

Knowledge, Skills and Ability:

- Knowledge and skills in conflict resolution and de-escalation.

- Knowledge of trauma-informed practices and care.

- Knowledge of youth development and violence prevention.

- Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders, including but not limited to senior staff, volunteers, interns, community partners, organization donors, media.

- Knowledge of grassroots organizing.

- Ability to engage, communicate and collaborate with residents of diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

- Ability to collect record and understand data in order to assess programs and partnerships to inform strategies.

- Entrepreneurial, creative with an interest in guiding an initiative through uncharted waters.

- Excellent communication, organization and writing skills.

- Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and be self-directed.

- Knowledge of Yardi, Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) are a plus.

- Proficiency with MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook and other computer programs is required.

Education & Experience:

- Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services and any other relevant field preferred.

- 5 or more years of experience in the field of community organizing.

- Trained in trauma-informed practices.

- Extensive experience in conflict resolution and/or gang mediation.

- Experience working with partners and site team members to implement programs and initiatives.

- Extensive work experience with organizations serving high risk youth and young adults.

The Community Builders, Inc. is committed to ensuring diversity in its workplace, and candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

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