Community Engagement Coordinator

The Community Engagement Coordinator supports the National Runaway Safeline’s mission to amplify youth voice and leadership in efforts to prevent and respond to youth homelessness and crisis. This position is responsible for managing and growing NRS's Youth Advisory Boards (YAB), engaging directly with youth to ensure their perspectives shape NRS programming, services, and national initiatives.  The Community Engagement Coordinator will be responsible for fostering communication with partners and ensuring youth-driven strategies are effectively implemented and elevated through outreach, collaboration, and advocacy. 

Core Responsibilities:  

• Oversee all NRS related Youth Advisory Boards (YAB) including recruiting and on-boarding. 
• Manage and foster engagement within the YAB and seek out opportunities to lift elevate youth voice at NRS;   
• Pursue outreach opportunities and build connections as they arise; 
• Act as the main point of contact for the YAB specific grants and external funders, ensuring consistent follow-up and communication;  
• Facilitate regular meetings, provide mentorship, and support professional development opportunities for YAB members; 
• Work collaboratively with staff to integrate youth perspectives into communications, program design, and advocacy efforts; 
• Participate in all research efforts related to the YAB;  
• Represent NRS at external meetings and events focused on youth engagement, homelessness prevention, and policy advocacy;  
• Ensure timely communication with stakeholders and partners and oversee project deliverables and follow-up;  
• Maintain clear records of youth engagement activities, meeting notes, and participation; 
• Ensure timely payment and supporting documentation for payments to YAB members. 
• Contribute content for newsletters, social media, or campaigns that highlight youth voices and stories. 
• Provide hotline support by answering calls, texts, chats, and emails as needed and work with YAB to inform practice. 

Standard Responsibilities: 

• Passion, integrity, and commitment to the mission and values of NRS. 
• Ensures confidentiality and appropriate boundaries with YAB members and hotline callers. 
• Demonstrates respect and acceptance of all individuals and communities serviced by, working in partnership with, or employed by NRS including but not limited to race, gender, ethnicity, social-economic status, and LGBTQIA+ populations.  
• Commitment to flexibility and adaptability with the ability to effectively communicate well with diverse and evolving teams both internally and externally. 
• Identify solutions to identified concerns and assume positive regard within interactions; 
• Adhere to policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook. 
• Participate, on camera, in regular supervision and staff meetings. 
• Attend regular training provided in-house, by partners, and for personal professional development. 
• Ability to attend events in various locations either via personal transportation, rental, or public transportation. 
• Participates in assigned special projects and responses to ad hoc requests as assigned. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Knowledge of the social services environment, with a preference for experience in crisis intervention is preferred;  
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working directly with youth, preferably in an advocacy, outreach, or engagement capacity; 
• Experience working with youth who have experienced homelessness, crisis, or system involvement; 
• Experience coordinating advisory boards, youth councils, or similar groups is strongly preferred; 
• Self-starter and detail-oriented; 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; 
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate with diverse teams and build strong relationships; 
• Creative problem-solving skills with a positive, solutions-oriented mindset; 
• Willingness to work some evenings or weekends for youth engagement activities or events;  
• Experience prioritizing and managing projects from start to finish and proven track record of meeting deadlines. 
• Proven organizational and multi-tasking skills;  
• Demonstrates intermediate computer skills, including Microsoft Office and Outlook, and  

Additional Requirements: 

• The applicant must submit to a criminal background check and a child abuse and neglect screening and maintain a clear status throughout employment. 
• Develops competency with applicable web-based systems used by the department within the first 90 days of employment;