Community Outreach Spec-SAP GF

Working across the City Colleges district, the Survivor Advocacy Program (SAP) provides trauma-informed victim services and advocacy to those impacted by gender-based violence, family violence, community violence, and other forms of violent crime. SAPseeks to remove barriers to education and promote access to justice through trauma-informed services for survivors. The program also conducts outreach to engage underserved population and community partners to create a continuum of care from disclosure to healing. The program is funded by the Victims of Crime Act through the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

The SAP staff provides individuals affected by violence with crisis intervention, safety planning, case management, and crime victim compensation; makes referrals to individual and group counseling, community-based resources, public aid programs, and evaluation for learning disabilities; and facilitates wellness education, outreach, and training for faculty and staff.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting to the Project Director Survivor Advocacy Program, the Community Outreach Specialist provides community education, outreach, and community engagement to members of the CCC community.The position serves as the primary interface between SAP and community partners and cultivates relationships with major violence prevention and victim services organizations in Chicago to expand SAPs referral network.Performs related duties as required.

Travel between campuses required. This position is grant-funded and will be funded at least through March 2025.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provides day-to-day support to SAP team, working to promote access to trauma-informed victim services and disseminate information about available services.
• Develops and implements a strategic outreach and communication plan to meet program goals for campus and community engagement.
• Chairs the monthly Community Advisory Council to establish positive working relationships with community partners and facilitate collaboration with partners about how to address emerging issues and implement best practices to improve survivor services.
• Attends community meetings and resources fairs to represent SAP and increase community awareness of service offerings.
• Participates in trainings, conferences, and task force meetings and stays up-to-date on supportive resources for survivors to improve SAP service delivery.
• Develops relationships with program stakeholders including City and County agencies, social service providers, victim advocacy organizations, community members, and others and serves as a liaison between SAP and those stakeholders.
• Along with the Project Director, coordinates with Project S.A.F.E. Campus Coordinators and Wellness Centers to develop outreach events and materials to promote education around community violence and awareness of SAP services.
• Develops and publishes a monthly newsletter sharing events, training, and professional development opportunities provided by SAP and community partners, as well as a quarterly report sharing out progress on program outcomes.
• Attends weekly SAP meetings and quarterly CCRT meetings and provides input on SAPs progress towards meetings strategic goals around outreach and community engagement.
• Provide logistical support for SAP team meetings and Coordinated Community Response meetings, including securing meeting locations, drafting and distributing meeting notices, developing meeting agendas, taking meeting minutes, and setting up/taking down meetings.
• Identifies best practices around intake, referral, and other victim services processes and works with the SAP team to implement them.
• Maintains records and prepares reports on community outreach activities and responds to written requests for information on SAP programs as needed.
• Supports Project Director with ICJIA grant reporting by maintaining data on program referrals and outreach efforts.
• Assists SAP team in fielding intake requests by email or phone as needed.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To Director Survivor Advocacy Program

Direct Supervision None

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field.Masters degree preferred.
• Three years of administrative or community relations experience with a program serving clients impacted by gender-based violence, family violence, or community violence.
• Completion of a 40-hour Confidential Advisor, Sexual Assault, or Domestic Violence training program at time of hire or within nine months of hire (funded by SAP).
• Bilingual in Spanish desirable.
• Knowledge of victim services community in Chicago, community resources, and social service agencies.
• Experience with public speaking and presenting to community members about violence prevention and survivor support services.
• Experience writing reports or external communications on programmatic activities.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and decision-making skills and the ability to work independently.
• Must possess a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to work within a culturally and linguistically diverse environment.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and Zoom.

We Offer : Excellent health and welfare benefit package and long term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website.

Additional Information