Community Outreach Specialist

Job Title: Community Outreach Specialist

Location: SBC Corporation

Department Name: RWJBH Community Health Project

Req #: 0000212190

Status: Salaried

Shift: Day

Pay Range: $56,797- $80,225 per year

Pay Transparency:

The above reflects the anticipated annual salary range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.

The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.

Job Overview:

The Community Outreach Specialist leads community outreach, stakeholder engagement, and visitor services for the HARVEST Food Hub, creating a welcoming and professional environment that reflects RWJBarnabas Health's commitment to community health and wellness. This position manages relationships with community partners, tracks program participation metrics for reporting, oversees volunteer engagement, and serves as the primary liaison between HARVEST programs and Newark community organizations. The COS develops and implements community engagement strategies, conducts program evaluation activities, and ensures compliance with deliverables related to community participation and health equity outcomes. This role requires strategic thinking, data management capabilities, exceptional interpersonal skills, cultural competency, and the ability to independently manage multiple stakeholder relationships while advancing HARVEST’s mission.

Qualifications

Required:

• High school diploma required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to interact professionally with diverse populations
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite, scheduling software, and database management
• Strong data management and analysis skills including database management, Excel reporting, and tracking systems
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for reports, presentations, and stakeholder engagement
• Experience with social media platforms and digital communication tools
• Demonstrated cultural competency and sensitivity to diverse socioeconomic backgrounds
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to multitask in busy environment
• Customer service orientation with genuine interest in community health and food security issues
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends for community events and programs
• Ability to work independently while contributing to collaborative team environment

Preferred

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Social Services, or related field preferred
• Minimum 2 years of experience in customer service, reception, or community outreach roles preferred
• Bilingual proficiency (Spanish/English) strongly preferred; additional languages valuable for Newark's diverse community
• Knowledge of Newark community resources, social services, and healthcare systems preferred

Essential Job Functions:

• Manage community engagement programming and track participation metrics for deliverable reporting
• Collect, analyze, and report enrollment, attendance, and demographic data for monthly departmental and annual community benefit reporting requirements
• Develop and maintain databases tracking community partnerships, program utilization, and outcome metrics
• Ensure compliance with outreach and engagement requirements, documenting activities and outcomes
• Help prepare monthly program reports and contribute to quarterly grant progress reports
• Develop and manage strategic relationships with community-based organizations, entrepreneurs, and other partners to increase HARVEST utilization
• Conduct outreach presentations to community groups, faith-based organizations, and healthcare partners to promote HARVEST services
• Serve as liaison for community stakeholder inquiries and partnership development
• Oversee comprehensive visitor intake processes including needs assessment, service navigation, and appropriate referrals
• Conduct facility orientations for new users and provide ongoing navigation support
• Develop and implement community outreach strategies to achieve program utilization targets
• Create promotional materials, social media content, and community communications to increase program awareness
• Represent HARVEST at community meetings, health fairs, and public events (including occasional evenings/weekends)
• Coordinate with Marketing/Communications on public relations and media opportunities
• Manage front desk operations including visitor check-in, appointment scheduling, and facility orientation for new users
• Provide comprehensive information about HARVEST services including kitchen incubator programs, nutrition counseling, food distribution schedules, and community events
• Direct visitors to appropriate services and staff members including registered dietitians, community health workers, and program coordinators
• Maintain professional reception area including informational displays, program materials, and community resource directories
• Answer multi-line phone system, respond to email inquiries, and manage general facility communications
• Conduct facility tours for prospective kitchen users, community partners, and stakeholder groups
• Support outreach efforts through community event participation, partnership development, and promotional activities
• Assist with event registration, workshop sign-ups, and program enrollment processes
• Provide language interpretation support as needed for Newark's diverse population
• Preferred knowledge and experience working in the Greater Newark community
• Connect visitors with social services including SNAP enrollment, healthcare navigation, and community resources

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

At RWJBarnabas Health, our market-competitive Total Rewards package provides comprehensive benefits and resources to support our employees’ physical, emotional, social, and financial health.

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plans
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Life & Accidental Death Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
• Discounts Through our Partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, Verizon, and more!

Choosing RWJBarnabas Health!

RWJBarnabas Health is the premier health care destination providing patient-centered,

high-quality academic medicine in a compassionate and equitable manner, while delivering

a best-in-class work experience to every member of the team. We honor and appreciate the privilege of creating and sustaining healthier communities, one person and one community at a time. As the leading academic health system in New Jersey, we advance innovative strategies in high-quality patient care, education, and research to address both the clinical and social determinants of health.

RWJBarnabas Health aims to truly make a unique impact in local communities throughout New Jersey. From vastly improving the health of local residents to creating educational and career opportunities, this combination greatly benefits the state. We understand the growing and evolving needs of residents in New Jersey—whether that be enhancing the coordination for treating complex health conditions or improving community health through local programs and education.

Equal Opportunity Employer

RWJBarnabas Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer