Community Engagement Coordinator

The IRC in Denver’s approach is client-centered, empowerment-focused, trauma-informed, and multigenerational. Advancing racial equity and narrowing the gender gap are priorities for the IRC in Denver. The team’s efforts in this space are ongoing and evolving. Current work is focused on participating in learning and dialogue to deepen understanding and awareness of systemic inequities and systems of oppression; building an internal organizational culture that reflects a commitment to antiracism and gender equality for clients as well as staff, volunteers, and the broader community; engaging clients more deeply in making decisions that affect them, whether at the individual, household, program, or organizational level; using our power and influence to advocate for rules, policies, and laws that address inequities experienced by the people we serve and seek systemic change for the benefit of all who are impacted by these inequities; undertaking intentional efforts to shift dynamics and promote power sharing between leadership and the broader team as well as between staff and clients; and examining and changing practices in recruitment, recognition, and other areas of employee engagement and talent development to prioritize access to opportunity and work toward full inclusion and belonging for clients, staff, and volunteers who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and LGBTQI, as well as those who have lived experience as refugees and immigrants.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The goal of the Community Engagement Coordinator is to create and promote opportunities for social bridging between refugees and other newcomer communities and the welcoming community through a variety of mentor programs focusing on community navigation, building social capital, cultivating mutual understanding and learning, and promoting successful integration. The Community Engagement Coordinator will oversee programs related to community mentorships, including community co-sponsorships, the Family Mentor Program, and the Housing, Outreach, Mentorship and Education (HOME) Program, taking primary responsibility for recruiting, onboarding, training, and providing ongoing supervision for volunteers engaged in these programs. Working closely with the Volunteer and Donations Coordinator, they will plan annual recruitment and ensure program goals are achieved. They will also liaise regularly with frontline staff to understand program and client needs, as well as the programs and services provided, to ensure they are able to adequately support volunteer mentors and clients enrolled in mentor programs.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Community Outreach

•Conduct regular information sessions, Refugee 101 sessions, and other outreach activities to potential volunteers and supporters.

•Solicit opportunities to speak publicly about the work of IRC and actively recruit community involvement.

•Prioritize efforts to broaden the spectrum of people and partners engaging in work with the IRC in Denver and its clients, with a focus on deepening relationships with community members and organizations who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

•Plan and implement events and opportunities that foster deeper connections between newcomers and volunteers.

Mentorship Program Management

•Recruit, screen, interview, and train volunteer mentors to participate in the IRC’s community mentor programs as assigned. These currently include community co-sponsorships, the HOME Program, and the Family Mentor Program.

•Provide orientation sessions, training, and ongoing supervision for all accepted volunteers.

•Work with the IRC in Denver staff to understand how clients can best be supported through mentor programs, identify clients to participate in programs, and conduct client intake interviews to create profiles for matching mentors with mentees.

•Conduct outreach to client participants to guide them through mentorship options, first meetings, program requirements, and program conclusion.

•Collaborate with staff to support clients enrolled in Matching Grant Program with a focus on achieving program objectives and outcomes.

•Facilitate introductory meetings between mentors and mentees to discuss program goals and objectives.

•Serve as the primary contact for mentor program volunteers, maintain regular communication and act as a liaison between IRC staff and volunteers.

•Engage in direct and respectful communication to address concerns and conflicts that arise related to mentorship pairings.

•Maintain and update training material for new mentors, create new resources and activities to share with mentors.

•Conduct post-mentorship interviews and surveys with program participants.

•Coordinate monthly group sessions with mentors and mentee clients and two mentor appreciation events per year.

Other

•Maintain electronic volunteer files using Salesforce, enter case notes and records in databases, and manage monthly volunteer timesheets.

•Track the development and outcomes of community partnerships across programs.

•Support the in-kind donations program as requested, including managing inbound and outbound inventory using an electronic reporting system.

•Supervise interns as is appropriate.

•Other duties as assigned.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Position Reports to: Volunteer and Donations Coordinator

Position Directly Supervises: Mentoring program volunteers, professional volunteers and interns as assigned

JOB REQUIREMENTS

•Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college or equivalent combination of work and/or lived experience required.

•Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment, including working with interpreters to meet language assistance needs for people with limited English proficiency.

•Proven ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member.

•Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and manage time effectively.

•Detail oriented with excellent organizational skills, ability to multi-task and complete work in a fast-paced environment.

•Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), email, and internet applications. Prior experience with Salesforce is a plus.

•Comfort and ability to speak in front of, present to, and train large groups.

•Ability to maintain regular, timely, and ongoing electronic and phone contact with varied stakeholders, including volunteers, donors, clients, and staff.

•Ability to learn new software programs as needed.

•Fluency in English, both verbal and written, is required.

•Fluency in Arabic, Russian, Dari, Burmese, Kiswahili, Spanish, or other languages and cultures of the local refugee population is strongly preferred.

•Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle with current insurance, and the ability to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

•The IRC in Denver strives to offer a positive working environment, with intentional efforts to ensure that it is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible for all.

•At present, remote and hybrid remote/in-person work modifications are in place due to ensure staff and client safety given public health guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic and return to work planning is underway.

•All staff are required to adhere to IRC’s COVID risk mitigation policies. In some cases, these policies may be stricter than those imposed at the federal, state, or local level.

•This role entails frequent travel in and around the Denver metro area to transport clients, facilitate service delivery and represent the IRC with clients and community partners.

•Hours outside of typical office hours, including weekends and evenings, are frequently required.

•Must be able to safely lift 35 lbs.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

This position is a full-time, regular, non-exempt position scheduled at 37.5 hours per week. Compensation starts at $23.00 per hour, with eligibility for overtime in accordance with state and federal laws. As a full-time regular employee, the Community Engagement Coordinator is eligible for the IRC’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

•Generous paid time off with 20 days of paid vacation per year, 10 days of paid sick leave per year (not inclusive of paid COVID leave), and at least 9 paid holidays per year.

•Outstanding medical, dental, and vision care benefits with low employee contribution premiums.

•Optional health care and dependent care flexible savings accounts and commuter benefits programs.

•Life, accident, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.

•A 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer base contributions and matching contributions.

•A comprehensive employee assistance and resilience program.

•A commitment to employee professional development, including an individual staff development account, participation in communities of practice and other fora, talent and leadership development offerings, and occasional opportunities to take on special assignments and roles to represent the IRC in Denver with IRC’s network of offices across the U.S.

•Business travel medical insurance, access to Guardian Nurses, and more.

IRC- leading the way from harm to home

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.