Job Title: Family Enrichment Center Community Liaison

Location: Jamaica, Hollis, Queens Village – exact site TBD

Background

Forestdale is a child welfare agency working to enhance family well-being and prevent child maltreatment through parenting, prevention, and foster care services for families in Queens and Brooklyn. We help thousands of families work through complex trauma, raise the next amazing generation of children, and youth successfully launch into adulthood. Forestdale’s mission is “to ensure that children and families have the fundamental assets they need to thrive and live independently.”

Forestdale is proud to be part of a groundbreaking new initiative in ACS’ Division of Child and Family Well-Being, which aims to establish Family Enrichment Centers citywide. A Family Enrichment Center is a home-like inclusive environment where community members can gather, build new relationships, learn skills, participate in activities, and get access to resources they need in order to thrive. The FEC initiative stands apart from many initiatives in that it is community-led in both design and operation, with Forestdale partnering with residents and local community organizations in Jamaica, Hollis, and Queens Village to co-create the Center.

Job Summary

The Community Liaison contributes to the day-to-day operation of the FEC by: cultivating relationships with other community groups, leaders, and residents to collaborate on meeting community needs; identifying natural leaders that want to contribute to the FEC; and joining and/or creating a network of resources by serving on community district committees, attending local school meetings and events, and building relationships with local businesses and faith-based groups.

Salary Range: $26.37/hr to $35.71/hr

Major Responsibilities

• Develop and nurture collaborative and effective relationships with community stakeholders in order to provide relevant activities and programming around issues of significance to the community.
• Identify and develop emerging community leaders to assume leadership roles as mentors, teachers, group leaders, and constituent representatives on matters of collective impact.
• Attend Community Board meetings, school meetings and other community-based meetings as appropriate to represent FEC interests.
• Promote opportunities for youth, families, and community residents to participate in FEC program planning and implementation.
• Identify and maintain up-to-date information on key community issues and trends impacting children, youth and families.
• Gather and disseminate resource material and referral information regarding issues and themes significant to the southeast Queens community and of importance to the FEC participants.
• Provide opportunities for community members to work and celebrate together in order to foster a sense of belonging, pride and mutual responsibility.
• Supervise interns and volunteers, as appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with the FEC Director to develop, track and evaluate program efforts and outcomes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in social work or related field and/or equivalent experience required
• Community organizing / community development experience preferred
• Live and/or worked in southeast Queens
• Comfort and ease in developing new relationships and partnerships with individuals and groups
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and collaboratively with all levels of staff, participants and community members, with excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to work flexible schedule including occasional evenings or weekends as needed to attend community meetings/events and/or program activities

Additional Information:

Forestdale Inc. is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Forestdale Inc. is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.