Outreach and Education Specialist HUD Lead Hazard Capacity Building Program
Position Summary
The Outreach and Education Specialist promotes community awareness of lead hazards, lead poisoning prevention, and healthy housing grant programs in the City of Dunkirk. This position engages organizations and residents through community outreach, media campaigns, events, workshops, and presentations. The Specialist also helps expand the number of lead-certified contractors by coordinating and promoting training opportunities, and will assist property owners and tenants with applying for grant funds to make homes lead-safe. This is a 12-18-month full-time (preferred) or part-time grant-funded position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Community Engagement
· Build and maintain relationships with community leaders and organizational partners, including for-profit, not-for-profit, educational, faith-based organizations, and families with lived experiences of lead poisoning.
- Apply marketing and community outreach skills to promote lead poisoning prevention and housing rehabilitation programs.
- Respond to public inquiries regarding rehabilitation services and program eligibility.
- Assist with client intake, eligibility determination, and case documentation.
- Promote professional development and certification opportunities, including Lead-Based Paint, Building Code, and other required credentials.
· Provide educational information to the public regarding housing rehabilitation and lead safety.
· Participate in local housing and early childhood community coalitions.
- Promote contractor training and certification for Lead Abatement and other required credentials.
- Develop and deliver educational workshops for community members
- Serve as a liaison between CHRIC and the Chautauqua County Health Department Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs and their subcontractors
Program Management
· Recruit contractors, landlords, and homeowners for Lead Hazard Control program.
· Assist Director with HUD program logistics, including assisting customers through the program application process, temporary relocation, and testing logistics.
· Complete quarterly reports as required.
· Assist with identifying additional funding opportunities and writing grant applications.
· Other responsibilities as assigned.
Working Relationships
Internal
- Reports to the Director of Rehab Services.
- Coordinates with other staff on administration of social media pages and development and release of other media.
- Collaborates with the Finance Department regarding budgets, funding, and project expenditures.
External
- Maintain productive relationships with federal, state, and local funding agencies and community stakeholders.
- Work with the County Health Department and their sub-contractors to coordinate lead hazard control initiatives.
- Work closely with contractors, property owners, tenants, and community organizations to ensure successful program delivery.
- Represent the organization within community coalitions and housing initiatives.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
- Excellent presentation skills.
- Ability to adapt messaging and delivery to accommodate different needs and learning styles.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, design software, and social media platforms.
- Attention to detail and ability to follow work through completion.
- Ability to foster and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders.
· Must be able to travel within City of Dunkirk and to Mayville, NY.
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs.
- Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends.
Minimum Qualifications
- Associate’s degree in any discipline.
- Two or more years of successful community outreach experience may be substituted for degree.
- Bilingual Spanish strongly preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, presentation, and design software.
Preferred Experience
- Background in stakeholder engagement and community outreach.
- Experience working with HUD-funded or other federally funded housing programs is highly desirable.
- Experience working with diverse populations.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
- Hybrid work environment allowed upon completion of probationary period.
- Flexible work schedule available upon approval.
- Prolonged periods of computer work.
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
CHRIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including those of New York State.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Mayville, NY 14757
Pay: $23.00 per hour
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Mayville, NY 14757
