Description

Team Overview

The Community Cultivation and Partnerships Team oversees the cultivation of relationships with communities of color and community organizations that serve people of color in Minnesota, with a focus on increasing visibility, building trust, and engendering investment in the Girl Scout experience by families and youth of color. The Community Cultivation and Partnerships Team leads high touch grassroots Mentored Troops recruitment strategies and works closely with the Recruitment Team on council wide recruitment strategies. Mentored Troops center the unique experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) youth and encourage a sense of belonging and sisterhood in a culturally relevant environment. Troops are led by volunteer leaders, who care deeply about making a difference in the lives of youth and their communities. Both adult leaders and Girl Scouts are predominately, but not exclusively, BIPOC.

The Community Cultivation and Partnerships Team also helps support the ConnectZ Program by serving as troop leaders in ConnectZ troops. ConnectZ troops aim to make it easy for youth to participate in Girl Scouts, providing connection and community through a culturally responsive, youth-led leadership program. ConnectZ troops are led by Girl Scouts River Valleys staff and serve predominately, but not exclusively Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) youth. To eliminate access barriers, meetings are conveniently held at local schools or organizations and programming is always free of cost.

Summary

The Community Engagement Coordinator is responsible for building relationships with schools, community organizations, and businesses that primarily serve Pan Asian communities and families within GSRV priority geographic areas. This position will attend site partner meetings, be visible at community events, engage families and youth at community events, co-create family engagement with community leaders, and provide resources to community members. This Coordinator will also serve as a troop leader for youth of all backgrounds in the ConnectZ Program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Community Engagement Coordinator will execute the following strategies and tactics to meet the recruitment and retention objectives for GSRV:

Strategic Initiatives

• Build and cultivate relationships and partnerships with Pan Asian communities, families, and community organizations.
• Work with the Community Cultivation and Partnerships Lead to implement short and long-term strategies in the annual departmental action plan and the GSRV strategic plan to ensure departmental and organizational goals for Mentored Troops and ConnectZ Troops are met.
• Serve as a Community Engagement Team/GSRV representative at key community, funder, and other events and opportunities.
• Compile and share information gathered from local community leaders, organizations, and activities to influence and improve all facets of site partner, girl, and volunteer recruitment; communications; marketing; and programs for the Community Engagement team.
• Ensure that site partner events, programs, and marketing materials provided to community leaders are consistent in branding, messaging, and visual representation and in alignment with standards established by GSUSA.
• Participate in recruitment, retention, training, and recognition planning and annual work plans.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the Community Cultivation and Partnerships Lead with the continued development of GSRV’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) readiness among staff, volunteers, and programs.
• Collaborate with colleagues across functions, as well as partners across the council. Actively participate in All Staff meetings, staff in-service training, and other meetings.
• When representing the council to both internal and external audiences, articulate GSRV’s desired image and position to all audiences
• Support the council’s commitment to diversity of girls, volunteers, and staff and conduct all activities with a high degree of cultural competency.
• Contribute to building a cohesive, flexible, and productive staff environment that demonstrates the values and mission of Girl Scouts and delivers high-quality customer service. 
• Subscribe to the principles of the Girl Scout Movement.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Required: One year of experience in recreation, youth or program development, education, social services or a related field or a combination of equivalent knowledge and experience

Preferred:

• Work experience in a volunteer organization preferably in the youth program development and delivery field in a non-profit environment
• Knowledge of or experience in Girl Scouts is desirable.
• Bilingual: Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish, Hmong, and/or Somali, and willingness to use this skill as part of their work. Compensation provided.

Knowledge and Skills

This position requires a self-starter who can work independently with minimal oversight and takes initiative; is flexible, adaptable, organized, and has a strong attention to detail; thrives in an ever changing/fast-paced environment. Has proven oral and written communication abilities (i.e. verbal, written, in person and/or over the telephone); demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of sensitive and confidential issues; and communicates effectively with a diverse group of families, volunteers, and staff.

• Must have access to personal transportation for business travel, a valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance.
• Willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends.

Don't meet every requirement? Studies have shown that women and BIPOC professionals are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Girl Scouts River Valleys, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly, we encourage you to apply. You might just be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Girl Scouts River Valleys is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and racial justice, and is working to boldly lead as an anti-racist organization that uplifts and empowers every Girl Scout to know their worth and lead in their world. This means leading not just with words, but with actions.