Who is Bridging Access to Care, Inc.:Bridging Access to Care, Inc. (BAC) is a nonprofit, multi-service, community-based behavioral health care organization committed to building healthy communities, one person at a time.
In 2012, Brooklyn Aids Task Force changed its name to BAC and successfully made the transition from an AIDS-centered organization to a multi-service community-based healthcare organization. Brooklyn Aids Task Force was the very first HIV/AIDS organization in Brooklyn prioritizing serving persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) since 1986. Today, BAC provides mental health and substance use-related social services, comprehensive HIV/AIDS care, and coordinated health care and supportive services to underserved racial and ethnic minority communities in Brooklyn and other parts of New York City.
Bridging Access to Care, Inc. offers a competitive salary package, including health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and opportunities for professional development. Employees working in our Programs division are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless approved for a medical accommodation. If you need accommodation for any reason, including related to this job requirement, please contact Human Resources.
JOB SUMMARY: We are looking for a Community Engagement Specialist to help residents of Flatbush Gardens in the Article XI program access the services, benefits, and opportunities they need to maintain housing stability, wellness, and community connection. As the Community Engagement Specialist, you will work alongside the Community Ambassador, Client Services Representative, Housing Specialists, Senior Housing Specialist, and other BAC team members. The Community Engagement Specialist will be more than a service provider, you will be a connector, advocate, educator, and trusted community resource.
This is a hands-on position for someone comfortable building relationships, conducting outreach, coordinating events, making referrals, facilitating workshops, and working directly with community members. Collaborating with these teams to provide onboarding, routine outreach engagement, developing positive relationships with the community at large, including non-Article XI tenants, property management, the Flatbush Gardens’ Tenant’s Association, and other relevant stakeholders. The Community Engagement Specialist is also responsible for serving as the liaison for Tickets for Kids (T4K) Foundation, conducting alternative-to-violence/anger management workshops at least once every six months, as well as providing confidential HIV testing and counseling as needed.
EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:
- MINIMUM: High School Diploma/GED required
- MINIMUM: two years of experience working in the nonprofit sector.
- MINIMUM: one year of experience coordinating or organizing events.
- MINIMUM: one year of direct service experience with individuals who were formerly homeless or living with mental health or substance use conditions.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Flatbush Gardens Tenants Engagement
In collaboration with the Community Ambassador, Client Services Representative/Program Assistant, and/or Housing Specialist(s), support the wellness and housing stability of tenants in the Flatbush Gardens Article XI program by
- Providing key pickup and introduction of Flatbush Gardens and BAC services, and completing the needs assessment survey during onboarding.
- Conducting outreach (either by phone, email, or in-person) to each Article XI tenant at least once a month.
- Assisting Article XI tenants in accessing BAC services, making appropriate referrals to other social services, programs, and benefit systems as needed, and following up on all referrals made to ensure connection to services.
- Informing and educating Article XI tenants of their voucher requirements, including rent portion (if any), maintaining their lease agreements, entitlements, employment, and other sources of income to ensure housing stability.
Community Engagement and Services
- Build and maintain professional relationships with community stakeholders and partners to facilitate access and referral of services, including but not limited to legal, housing, employment, training, and mediation.
- Identify barriers (internal and external) to full participation in community resources and develop and implement strategies to address those barriers.
- Collaborate with the Community Ambassador to plan and coordinate wellness-oriented community events and activities, including actively participating in on- and off-site events, and assisting with setup and breakdown for events.
- Serve as liaison for Tickets for Kids (T4K) Foundation, directly communicating with the Project Director and other team members to coordinate, attend, and document each activity attended by Flatbush Gardens and TREE community members. Prepare a tracking grid that details each activity, outcome, and attendance, and submit reports to the T4K foundation after each event. Ensure that photo consent forms are completed and emergency contact information is obtained from each participant. Keep a record of each activity, including photos and a brief description that captures the essence of the activity.
- Plan, organize, recruit, and conduct a series of alternative-to-violence/anger management workshops at least once every six months or twice a year.
- Provide confidential HIV testing services.
Data Collection and Documentation
- Ensure all intake and referral protocols are adhered to daily.
- Complete visitor log or tenant (scheduled or walk-in) contact form or referrals daily.
- Establish/enter client data into the eCR and relevant program spreadsheets within 24 hours of contact/delivery of services.
Other Duties
- Maintain knowledge of all BAC programming to promote and facilitate necessary referrals effectively.
- Utilize community health worker skills to assist tenants in creating their own individual wellness and recovery plans.
- In the absence of the Client Services Representative/Program Assistant, cover the front desk and greet participants, volunteers, and visitors of the TREE and Flatbush Gardens programs in a friendly and respectful manner, determining their purpose for coming to the program, ensuring the visitor log is completed, and referring them to appropriate staff.
- Participate in ongoing training and professional development.
- Reviews all alerts in eCR daily.
- Ensures all reports are submitted accurately and on time.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge in conducting and facilitating atlernative-to-violence/ anger management workshops preferred.
- Demonstrated experience in verbal de-escalation required.
- Demonstrated experience in data entry into an electronic health record system is required.
- Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Forms, OneDrive, and SharePoint preferred.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality required.
Pay: $24.75 per hour
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- This position requires flexible scheduling and the ability to work scheduled nights and weekends. Please reply yes if you can meet this requirement.
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- working in the nonprofit sector.: 2 years (Required)
- coordinating or organizing events: 1 year (Required)
- serving the vulnerable populations: 1 year (Required)
- mental health and substance use: 1 year (Required)
- coordinate wellness-oriented community events : 1 year (Required)
- EMR systems: 1 year (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
