Outreach Specialist ICIRR Immigrant Family Resource Program

SGA provides a wide range of social services in some of Chicago's most challenged and consistently underserved communities and creates long-term and community-wide change. The ICIRR Immigrant Family Resource Program goal is to ensure low-income immigrant families and other limited-English speaking persons can thrive by reducing barriers when seeking public benefits (nutritional, medical, housing, psychological, childcare, employment), as well as the cash support they need for proper health, well-being, and economic self-sufficiency. 

• Collect resources on recreational activities, housing, food, clothing, school programs, vocational opportunities or services, providers to teach life skills, and relevant mental health services

• Initiate, establish, and nurture a close working relationship with other community-based organizations, agencies, schools, and healthcare facilities to promote the income supports services offered under the Immigrant Families Resources Program (IFRP).

• Assists client to develop natural resources and contact social support networks.

• Conduct community education about public benefits available to immigrants in IL. 

• Work in collaboration with fellow team members to secure support in attending the various outreach events.

• Prepare the marketing materials needed to be delivered at each event, ensuring that program flyers and marketing giveaways are available at all times.

• Collect the outreach sign-in logs at the conclusion of each event and deliver them to the Program Director for review and proper tracking of efforts in the system.

• Maintain an updated Outreach Activities binder to have it ready for programmatic audit reviews.

• Conduct weekly follow-up calls to the individuals outreached in the recruitment to schedule appointments for services eligibility screening and provision of documentation requirements needed to apply for the different public benefits available and other social services available in the State of Illinois and the Chicagoland area.

• Ensure the follow-up with potential program applicants occurs within the following week the outreach event took place.

• Track the outcomes generated by each outreach event to gage the recruitment success.

• Organize internal and external workshops to educate the community on the importance to access income supports services, such as Medicare, Medicaid, All Kids, SNAP, and case assistance benefits through the Illinois Department of Human Service (IDHS) to eradicate the myth of “becoming a public charge” when an eligible person access these services. 

• Offer a flexible schedule to participate in community events for recruitment and promotional purposes after normal business hours, and some weekends (Saturday and/or Sundays), throughout the year.

Facilitate community workshops and serve as an interpreter when attending outreach events and workshops.

• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB

Education:

• High School Diploma required, associate's degree in social work, Psychology, Criminal Justice or related field preferred 

Experience:

• Experience in conducting workshop development and group trainings.
• Bilingual with an ability to fluently communicate in English and Spanish.
• Ability to work with a wide variety of people of different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently or in a team, with minimal supervision.
• Exceptional organization and time management skills.
• Experience in case management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for effective communication in large public setting.
• Ability to adhere to deadlines and react to unpredictable events effectively.
• Attend meetings and outreach events outside of regular business hours is required.

Other:

• Sensitivity to cultural diversity is required. Ability to communicate and cooperate with diverse families, various professionals and community groups. 
• Strong ability to network and develop professional partnerships.
• Attend meetings and outreach events outside of regular business hours is required.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of clients or employees or the organization.
• Exercises discretion and independent judgment in executing tasks.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Advanced skills with Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the internet.
• Valid Driver’s License and Automobile Insurance. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to transport oneself to and from home visits.
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs.
• Constantly positions oneself to assist children during activities.
• Frequently moves desks, chairs, tables, easels, and children's toys. 
• At times may be required to lift up to 25 lbs. for various classrooms and event’s needs. 
• Frequently moves in outdoor weather conditions. 

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time; this description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.