Community Engagement Specialist - LaSalle County, IL, United States - Safe Journeys

Description

Safe Journeys is searching for a dedicated, collaborative, energetic and community minded person to join our Prevention team.


Purpose:

Highly collaborative, visible position that works to educate, engage, and empower the communities of LaSalle and Livingston County regarding domestic violence, teen dating violence, and sexual violence and how to recognize, respond, and refer individuals who are in need of services.

Organize to mobilize the community and build coalitions that address the prevention and awareness of domestic and sexual violence and their protective factors and root causes as allowed by funders.

Work cooperatively with school and community-based partners to provide education and awareness in a variety of in-person and online settings.

Consistently represent the culture and core values of Safe Journeys. Functions within a broad framework of existing laws and policies.

This position is primarily funded to increase awareness of sexual, domestic and teen dating violence and Safe Journeys and to implement primary prevention strategies designed to end sexual, domestic, and teen dating violence.

Mission Statement:
_To empower survivors of domestic and sexual violence and work to end such violence in our communities. _


FUNCTIONS:

I.
Community Education, Engagement, and Empowerment

• Utilize current data pertaining to domestic and sexual violence prevention in order to deliver traumainformed materials for a variety of populations.
• Develop and publish datadriven, evidencebased awareness, social justice activism, and prevention materials to the agency social media platforms.
• Assist the Community Engagement Director with the development, implementation, and evaluation of primary prevention strategies.
• Work as part of a team to develop, promote, facilitate, and implement primary prevention strategies regarding domestic violence, teen dating violence, and sexual violence with target groups including, but not limited to, Illinois Valley Community College, parents, educators, faith groups, community and civic groups, businesses, and others within LaSalle and Livingston Counties.
• Work as part of a team to develop, promote, and facilitate age and developmentally appropriate educational programs and to mobilize youth and caregivers of children and adolescents regarding domestic violence and teen dating violence with target groups including, but not limited to, schools and teen groups in LaSalle and Livingston Counties.
• Work with area residents to develop and implement community driven ways to prevent domestic and sexual violence.
• Engage students and youth in violence prevention and encourage and assist them with youthled violence prevention education projects amongst their peers.
• Work as part of a team to establish, nurture, and maintain good working inperson and online relationships with other community agencies/organizations, including, but not limited to, schools, civic groups, ministerial associations, and resource networks.
• Collaborate and partner with other staff and organizations to increase awareness of domestic violence, sexual violence, and Safe Journeys.
• Staff informational tables and events, including by self and with volunteers and other staff.
• Provide information and referral, crisis intervention, and advocacy services, as needed.
• Participate in local efforts to improve the community's response to domestic and sexual violence.

II. Other Staff Responsibilities

• Keep informed of domestic and sexual violence and related issues.
• Participates in agency oncall rotation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Knowledgeable on agency and relevant grant policies and procedures.
• Participates in staff meetings.
• Participates in professional trainings as required by agency and funders.
• Represents agency at State and local meetings as assigned.
• Communicates with staff and the public in a manner that reflects respect and equality.
• Maintains and submits records on work performed in a timely manner.
• Assures ethical conduct in business, marketing, service delivery, and professional practice.

EXPERIENCE AND OTHER QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Community Education, Education, Communications, or related field, or equivalent education or experience. Onthejob experience or comparable combination of career/life experience may substitute for bachelor's degree.
• Effective oral and written communication skills in English.
• Effective oral and written communication skills in Spanish, preferred.
• Computer literate, including Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as desktop publishing software such as Canva or Microsoft Publisher.
• Operate within a flexible schedule since presentations may be required during the day, in the evening, and on weekends.
• Ability to set limits and priorities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to serve individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Abi