TITLE: Part-Time Community Development Specialist

                                                                                                                                SALARY GRADE:

SUPERVISOR: Senior Manager Neighborhood Services                            STATUS: 

DEFINITION: 

The Community Development Specialist is responsible for developing and initiating locally controlled, effective and acceptable prevention and intervention service delivery strategies at the neighborhood and community levels which meet the goals of specific projects.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The Community Development Specialist is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with community residents, organizations and leaders, organizing projects with the goal of results which can be evaluated.

       PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

• Collect and organize data and information from assigned neighborhoods.
• Identify indigenous leaders and assist in forming neighborhood support coalitions.
• Provide support and training to neighborhood leaders, organizations, and coalitions.
• Map the resources, service delivery systems and networks in neighborhoods.
• Assist evaluators in the evaluation of service delivery systems in the neighborhood by gathering qualitative and quantitative information to assess the quality of care provided, the number of people served and the impact in the community.
• Provides information as needed to assure fulfillment of funding requirements.
• Conducts an initial interview with each program participant. Maintains contact and documents progress.
• Provides information as needed to assure fulfillment of funding requirements.
• Functions as a community life style coordinator for  youth and his/her family and helps to identify and access community resources, and community partners.
• Works with community leaders, stakeholders, elected representatives, and program partners.
• Attends community meetings, forums, and events.
• Provides written progress reports.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to collect, organize and document data.
• Knowledge of community in general, community institutions, organizations and networks and common practices and attitudes of service providers.
• Comfort in initiating and facilitating discussions about the project focus.
• Have the capacity to convene panels and identify and cooperate with resources.
• Ability to work one-on-one with persons and families in the project designated areas.
• Ability to work with formal, traditional community leaders and to serve as a liaison between indigenous leaders and formal leaders.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prefer a Bachelors Degree in Business Adminstration or one of the Mental Health disciplines (Social Work, or Psychology).
• Experience in planning and implementing community based action programs.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and group facilitation skills.
• Program writing, proposal writing and fund raising skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Requires the ability to speak , see and hear,
• Requires frequent movement about the office;
• View the computer monitor;
• Occasional lifting or carrying up to 10 lbs;
• Requires ability to handle unexpected problems arising from administrative or operational issues.

WORKING CONDITION

• Well lit office with good heating, cooling, and ventilation system.
• Handicapped accessible.
• Good office equipment.  The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to their job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified