Community Engagement Associate
Chicago, IL, United States
The Community Engagement part-time position is responsible for planning and assisting with Growing Home's extensive community engagement program that informs and engages the general public, partnering organizations, and media about Growing Home's plans, needs, programs, and activities. This current position you will work in collaboration with Farm, Employment Training, and Development staff in work related to outreach and community engagement. In this position you will report and receive supervision from the Community Engagement Coordinator.
In addition to assisting with ongoing outreach programs, the Intern will assist with developing a community engagement strategy to include the local community in developing plans for Growing Home's upcoming season.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Community Engagement and Events:With support and under the direction of the Community Engagement Coordinator , design and build the organization's community engagement and outreach strategy. This may include developing Standard Operating Procedures for various programs facilitated by Engagement.Manage small groups of volunteers during workday events, give tours of Growing Home's Urban Farm to small groups, conduct community outreach to raise awareness and interest in urban agriculture, work with neighborhood youth in the gardens . This position reports to Growing Home's Community Engagement Coordinator.Work 3-4 days per week; evening and weekend availabilityPlan, promote, -round educational and engagement opportunities, including conducting or assigning the right GH staff to conduct workshops, trainings, tours, and demonstrations on- and off-site for various stakeholdersIdentify and establish new relationships, and maintain current collaborative relationships, with community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, community leaders, schools, and potential employersServe as a assistant liaison to various committees and community groups, develop relationships with current and prospective funders and partners
Food Access:
Assist with the food access curriculum that is specific to the Learning Garden and educating the community on healthy eating. Duties include hosting workshops, cooking demonstrations, and healthy living classes.Volunteer program:Lead and manage new collaborative volunteer partnerships by identifying, creating, and promoting a continuum of volunteer engagementBuild relationships with community volunteersManage volunteers through Google docs, and evaluate and continuously improve the volunteer program using data and qualitative feedback from individual participantsAssessment and Evaluation for Community Engagement Program:Work with Community Engagement Coordinator to determine success metrics for all aspects of the Community Engagement programsMaintain, and create as necessary, appropriate process and project documentation, and ensure documentation and evaluations are readily accessible for internal and external monitoring and contract complianceCommunications and Public Relations:Work with Development team to design and implement a communication plan focused on community engagement in traditional and social media that aligns with Growing Home's vision and mission, as well as other department's goalsWork with Development team to create materials for distribution to promote community engagement activities including flyers, postcards, fact sheets, social media posts, etcEstablish, promote, and maintain effective lines of communication with media representatives, citizens, and appropriate government officialsMaximize Growing Home brand awareness and work with the Development team on creating inspiring and effective messaging to increase participation and event attendanceOther duties:Represent GH at networking events and meetings and cultivate current donors by participating in site visits, donor meetings, and fundraising activities, as needed
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Demonstrate the ability to build long-term relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders in a positive, engaging mannerDemonstrate the ability to plan, create, and lead programs that are based upon, and responsive to, community needs and wantsExcellent verbal and written communication skills
Excellent computer skills, including using Google Docs and Canva, experience with newsletter and/or design a plusAbility to work some evenings and weekendsAbility to work independently with limited supervisionSome travel for meetings will be required. Must have an aptitude and willingness to navigate public transportation throughout the greater Chicago-area, or a valid driver's license
This position is currently offering 20hrs a week, unless otherwise specified and approved by the Community Engagement CoordinatorTuesdays-9am-2pm/ maybe longer depending onWednesday 10am-3pm/ maybe longer depending onThursday- 10:30 am-3;30pmoptional Friday- Saturday or Sunday 5 hrs
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