211 Community Engagement and Resource Specialist

Full-Time Temporary Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, CA

8 days ago Requisition ID: 1127

211  Community Engagement and Resource Specialist

(Full Time – 1 year contract with opportunity for extension)

Lethbridge and Southern Alberta

For over 50 years Distress Centre has served Calgary and Southern Alberta, providing 24-hour crisis support, information, and resources at no cost. Distress Centre does not define crisis. We do not judge. Anyone can call us day or night.

What to expect in the role:

Job overview

The Community Engagement and Resource Specialist is a key role focused on enhancing the visibility and reach of the 211 service in communities outside of Calgary and Edmonton. You will be instrumental in developing and strengthening relationships with community members, local organizations, and leaders to ensure comprehensive coverage and awareness of the 211 service. You will execute strategic outreach initiatives, promote program inclusion in the 211 Alberta database, and conduct follow-up calls to service users. Reporting to the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Manager this role requires a proactive, communicative, and community-oriented individual dedicated to fostering connections and supporting the community's needs.

Key Outcomes

• Increase in community awareness of 211 Alberta’s mission, services, and programs.
• Positive relationships between community stakeholders are developed and  maintained . 
• Community feedback about the 211 Alberta service is documented and informs organizational strategies and activities. 
• Increased representation of local programs and services in the 211 Alberta database.

Primary Duties

This is not an exhaustive list of duties, but meant to give you a sense of what you’ll be doing on a regular basis. Other related duties may be required.

Community Engagement, Outreach and Promotion  (50%)

• Cultivate and promote positive relationships with key stakeholders in your community and surrounding area, including organizations and government services to promote awareness and  utilization  of the 211 Alberta service and the benefits of ensuring their services are listed in the 211 Alberta Database.
• Identify  eligible organizations for the 211 Alberta database and support the organizations in new listing  submissions .
• Work closely with the 211 Alberta Community Engagement Manager to develop and execute local engagement strategies and refine strategy based on feedback and evolving community needs.
• Identify  and attend relevant community gatherings and  facilitate  informative presentations promoting the 211 Alberta  service .
• Build and  maintain  strong relationships with community stakeholders, including non-profits, local government agencies, and community groups.
• Act as a liaison between 211 Alberta and the community,  facilitating  effective communication and collaboration.

211 Service User Follow-up  (25%)

•  Conduct follow-up calls to 211 service users in your local area to assess the successes and barriers they  encountered  in accessing resources provided by 211.
•  If needs were not met,  identify  and provide information on  additional  options that may be available to the service users. Document and track local resources that are not available in the database to help inform outreach planning. 
•  Solicit feedback from services users to inform continue improvement and engagement strategies. 
•  Document the results of the follow-up call according to organizational procedures. 

Reporting and Documentation  (15%)

• Maintain  accurate  records of community engagement activities as well as feedback received and opportunities for improvement. 
• Support the Manager, Community Engagement in the development of regular reports on engagement activities and outcomes. 
• Prepare and  submit  monthly expense reports for reimbursement of eligible expenses.

Other  (10%

• Build and  maintain  positive working relationships with multiple internal stakeholders within the 211 Alberta ecosystem to understand internal processes and provide information and suggestions on improving the 211 Alberta service delivery to your local area. 
• Preparation and delivery of training sessions for 211 staff focused on the unique needs, barriers,  resources  and values of the communities you  represent  to ensure staff are well-equipped to provide tailored, empathetic, and effective support to diverse communities across the province.

Lines of Communication/Accountability

• Reportsto a  Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives Manager.
• Works closely with the 211 Alberta Community Engagement Manager, and representatives of various working groups within 211 Alberta (e.g. database, inquiry services, etc.).

Special Working Conditions

• General work hours are Mondays to Fridays 9am to 5pm;  however  some flexibility in working evenings/weekends to meet the needs of the organization may be  required . 
• This position is primarily remote; however, travel to meet community representatives will be  required . This position will also require travel to Calgary at least once per quarter, including at the start of the position to allow for relationship building and training. Eligible travel expenses will be covered. 
• This position will require significant interaction with community stakeholders.

What you bring to the role:

Qualifications/Experience

• Diploma or Degree in Human Services, Social Sciences, Business, or related field.
• Minimum of 2  years experience  in community engagement, community development, or a related field. Equivalent combination and experience will be considered. 
• Successful completion of a police information and vulnerable persons check.
• Gender-Based Analysis+ and Brain Story certifications. 
• Naloxone Certification.
• First Aid and CPR certification. 
• Class 5 driver’s license and personal vehicle for business use, clean drivers abstract, plus $2 million liability coverage are  required.

Skills/Abilities:

• Intermediate  proficiency  with the Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Strong interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence.
• Excellent conflict resolution skills.
• Strong communication  skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work  collaboratively,  set priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced  environment.
• Organizational and  problem-solving  skills with a keen attention to detail, a high degree of accuracy, and excellent time management skills.
• Ability to  maintain  effective, cooperative working relationships with other staff and volunteers.
• Ability to engage stakeholders both inside and outside the agency and  maintain  good working relationships.

Core Competencies:

Client/Service Centred Work  – you make clients the ultimate focus of our agency, team, and individual choices and actions.

Partnerships, Relationships, & Teamwork  – you build and maintain productive, collaborative working relationships within and across groups, both internally and externally, to accomplish our common goals.

Growth Mindset/Learning  – you actively identify new areas for learning and take advantage of opportunities to learn in whatever form they come. You apply your newly gained knowledge in your jobs and share these skills with others.

Communication  – you clearly convey information and ideas through a variety of media in a way that engages the audience and helps them to understand and inviting dialogue and inciting action where appropriate.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion  – we build and sustain an inclusive work environment where all individuals are welcomed, supported, respected, and valued for their unique experiences, perspectives, talents, and contributions.

Change Management  – you maintain your team and personal effectiveness when being impacted by changes within the organization.

Self-Management  – you take responsibility for yourself and your actions.

What Distress Centre has to offer:

• Opportunity to work for an organization that’s making a difference in our community
• A great working environment with supportive colleagues
• Opportunities for learning and mentorship, including paid development days and a staff development fund