The Resource Center has been providing services to persons with disabilities in the Chautauqua County area since 1958. From our humble beginnings as a gathering of parents and concerned citizens who wanted to provide educational and training opportunities for persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities, The Resource Center has grown into a comprehensive agency providing services to thousands of persons with all types and levels of disabilities.
The Resource Center is the largest non-governmental employer in Chautauqua County with more than 1,300 employees on its payroll.
The mission of The Resource Center is to support individuals with disabilities and other challenges in achieving maximum independence, contributing to their community, experiencing lifelong growth, and enjoying quality of life.
Outreach Specialist – JOB DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBLE TO: Director of Community Relations, Marketing and Development
FUNCTION:
To coordinate The Resource Center’s presence at community events to enhance awareness of TRC and the supports it provides. To ensure the availability of handouts (brochures, giveaways, etc.) for the events. To maintain the materials (signage, banners, tablecloths, popup tent) utilized at events and to ensure visual displays comply with TRC standards and the expectations of partner organizations (i.e., The Arc New York). To ascertain the effectiveness of TRC’s participation at events and to suggest/implement changes to improve effectiveness. To document and promote TRC’s presence at events through social media.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Must be detail-oriented and possess ability to deal effectively with staff and management, as well as with community members and groups, at all levels within and outside of the organization; Ability to work well under pressure and meet time-sensitive deadlines; Ability to convey the essence and impact of TRC’s mission to targeted audiences; Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and public speaking communication skills; Ability to post content to social media platforms; Ability to carry out a wide variety of tasks in a comprehensive, accurate and thorough fashion; Reliability, adaptability and flexibility, including a willingness and ability to travel, and work non-traditional hours as needed or assigned, including active participation in agency-sponsored special events. Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the job.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in a field such as Business, Community Health, Communications, Public Relations, etc. from an accredited college or university, or Associates Degree plus two (2) years’ experience in community outreach, communications or public relations. Valid driver’s license and driving record acceptable to agency insurance carrier. Use of personal vehicle for travel to multiple sites or equivalent accommodations.
DUTIES
Technical:
1. Develop, maintain and expand a list of community events and other opportunities where TRC can set up an information table or deploy volunteers.
2. Identify which department(s) should have a presence at a particular event, and work with departments to ensure coverage. There will be occasions when the Outreach Specialist is the most appropriate person to attend an event.
3. Work with departments and Marketing staff to ensure there are sufficient quantities of brochures and similar materials, and that the materials are current.
4. Work with Marketing staff to develop and order materials (table, tablecloth, banners, signage, popup tent, giveaways, etc.) to be used at events.
5. Network with external event participants and attendees to leverage opportunities for further engagement (increase number of people enrolled in our services, recruit potential employees and volunteers, identify areas for collaborations with other organizations, promote sponsorship of special events, highlight TRC Membership).
6. Assess the effectiveness of each event and suggest/implement changes to increase future effectiveness.
7. Possess a general understanding of the scope of The Resource Center’s supports and services, and be able to convey that information to community members.
8. Assist in the posting of content on social media channels for The Resource Center and the corporations.
9. Assist in planning and implementing the use of the media to educate the public and increase community awareness of TRC, the Filling the Gap network corporations and Community Inclusion, Inc.
10. Write articles and human-interest stories for internal and external use, as requested.
11. Maintain favorable internal communications.
12. Support and participate in functions and activities pertaining to TRC staff members and service recipients.
13. Contribute to the success of the various special events coordinated by The Resource Center and the corporations, to include assisting in the marketing and promotion of the events, and volunteering at the events.
14. Establish and maintain positive working relationships with the various media.
15. Represent The Resource Center and Filling the Gap at speaking engagements, as needed.
16. Function as a member of the Community Relations, Marketing and Development Department, composed of public relations, development, special events, marketing, Internet, and donor relations components.
REQUIRED TOOLS:
1. Agency Identification
2. Computer/Laptop
3. Smart Phone
SOFTWARE AND SYSTEM ACCESS
1. Sufficient level of RAM for computer
2. Human Resources Information System
3. Agency E-Mail
4. DonorPerfect
5. Advanced Requisition Management
6. Key2Purchase
7. Facebook
8. Instagram
9. X
10. YouTube
July 2025
Community Relations, Marketing and Development
The Resource Center
Salary Grade: 14
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
PTO/CAT: 3
CFR: 610
The Resource Center is an equal employment opportunity employer and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, citizenship status, military status, domestic violence status, predisposing genetic characteristics or genetic information, physical or mental disability, any other category protected by law, or any other non-job related characteristic. As needed, The Resource Center will provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities to employees and applicants whenever such accommodation would not create an undue hardship or a safety concern in the conduct of TRC’s operations.
