About CWS

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.

Purpose

The Community Relations Sr. Specialist develops and nurtures CWS relationships with local faith-based and community organizations and individual volunteers to support refugee resettlement and integration in Harrisburg, with a goal of 100% community engagement for all new neighbors. Under the guidance of the Site Director, the qualified candidate will establish, grow, and diversify CWS Harrisburg's sponsorship and co-sponsorship program through targeted outreach and partnerships with faith-based institutions as well as institutions of higher education, local community-based organizations, and individual community volunteers.

Responsibilities

Community Outreach:

• Cultivate, build, and maintain relationships with local partners, including faith-based organizations as well as institutions of higher education and community-based organizations. Recruit a pipeline of individual volunteers and co-sponsors/Welcome Teams to assist in meeting the needs of newly arriving clients in compliance with organizational standards
• With support from the CWS Lancaster office, create/update educational materials that aid community partners in developing sponsorship and co-sponsorship programs and raise awareness about refugee, immigrant, and asylum-seeker issues
• Conduct presentations and other speaking engagements targeting faith-based organizations, higher education institutions, community-based organizations, and client communities to train them on CWS services and clients' needs and heighten CWS visibility in Harrisburg
• Support local community organization and business group engagement with CWS Harrisburg through group volunteering activities, corporate sponsorship, and targeted fundraising opportunities
• Educate refugee and immigrant service providers through training and presentations
• Facilitate "host homes" program for APA clients for the duration of the program

Volunteer Management:

• Maintain and grow a volunteer base through outreach to individuals, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations and groups, colleges/universities, and corporations while advancing individual and group partnerships
• Lead the onboarding process of new volunteers and welcome team members by providing outreach, helping with recruitment paperwork, providing initial orientation, and maintaining an accurate record of volunteer information in the CWS volunteer tracking database, including producing materials and presentations as needed
• Match volunteers to CWS programs and clients based on programmatic needs and volunteer interest; consult with program staff, clients, and assigned volunteers to ensure completion of tasks per CWS standards
• Liaise between Welcome Teams/volunteers and refugee clients throughout the resettlement period, including accompanying welcome team members during airport pick-ups, home visits, housing set-ups, and others
• Guide CWS Harrisburg Resettlement Case Managers in their interactions with Welcome Teams/volunteers
• Consult with individual volunteers and community-based Welcome Teams, refugee clients, and case managers, as well as guide stakeholders to ensure positive interactions
• Regularly review and revise volunteer recruitment, management, and recognition tools (includ ng the volunteer tracking database and web resources) to reflect program needs and best practices
• Maintain ongoing relationships with volunteers through regular newsletters, Facebook groups, and volunteer training events/activities; Promote volunteer retention through appreciation events and practices
• Develop and administer the annual volunteer engagement survey

Event-Planning and Fundraising:

• Plan, implement, and attend special events, recruit volunteers for support during these events
• Identify opportunities for increasing volunteer financial giving, such as monthly donor programs
• Receive, document, and process all incoming funds and donations and submit them to Church World Service Finance Center for processing
• Establish and maintain a communication outreach strategy, including researching and writing relevant grant proposals related to new resettlement activities in Harrisburg

Additional Duties:

• Advocate for refugees, asylees, and entrants in Harrisburg by developing educational materials and training that assists community leaders in promoting involvement and raising awareness about refugee and immigrant concerns
• Develop a strong understanding of refugee and immigrant issues via training, webinars, media, books, publications, and reference tools, using current information to educate the broader community about refugees and immigrants
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required

Experience:

• Strong experience in non-profit, social justice, community development, and volunteer management work are essential for this position.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with a high level of comfort and skill, interacting with partner organizations and coordinating people and resources.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment is required.

Other Skills:

• Superior public speaking skills and strength in written communication.
• A successful candidate must be computer literate, with proficiency in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel, and Word) and internet applications required.

Special Requirements

• The successful candidate must have a car, a valid driver's license, and an insurable driving record
• This is a hybrid position, involving in-person and remote work
• Works varied hours, including possible night and weekend work

Benefits

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes: - 403 (b) Retirement Plan - Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance - Generous Paid Time Off (21 Paid Days Off; 27 Days after 2 Years) - 14 Official Holidays - Sick Time Off (12 Accrued monthly) - Life Insurance and AD&D - Long Term and Short-Term Disability - Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Health Savings Account - Flexible Spending Accounts - Commuter Benefits