Outreach & Retention Specialist

THE OPPORTUNITY

Reel Works is hiring a full-time Outreach & Retention Specialist, dedicated to the Train & Earn program, to focus on participant recruitment and support case managers with program retention.

Location: This position requires candidates to be based in the New York City Metro area, with the flexibility of a hybrid office environment. The physical office is located in Brooklyn, NY. 

Reports To: Social Worker

Compensation: Full-time 40 hours per week; $60k - $65k Benefits

Estimated Start Date: March 3, 2025

Application Deadline: January 10, 2025

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS

Reel Works mentors, inspires and empowers underserved NYC youth to share their stories through filmmaking, creating a springboard to successful careers in media and beyond. Using a unique, one-on-one mentoring model, Reel Works builds vital skills of literacy, leadership, and self-confidence to create productive futures for youth. The MediaMKRS program was launched by Reel Works in 2019 to address the crisis of inclusion in the media industry. MediaMKRS is a consortium of industry and education leaders that aims to diversify the media landscape and create equitable solutions by bringing together industry leaders, educators, and government officials to train and credential rising talent. To learn more visit reelworks.org and mediamkrs.org. 

The New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) invests in a network of community-based organizations and programs to alleviate the effects of poverty and provide opportunities for New Yorkers and communities to flourish. Train & Earn, one of DYCD’s federally-funded Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs for out-of-school, out-of-work (OSOW) youth in New York City, aims to fund integrated and holistic program models that will strengthen New York City’s (City) workforce development system and help young people gain the support, educational credentials and skills. 

THE POSITION

Under the supervision of the Social Worker, the Outreach & Retention Specialist will support the Reel Works mission and the Train & Earn program by playing a vital role in the success of our OSOW Youth Program. We are looking for an Outreach & Retention Specialist with the passion for youth development and a knack for building relationships. As a "credible messenger" with strong community connections, you will be responsible for both participant recruitment and supporting case managers with program retention. The Outreach & Retention Specialist will have the skills and personality to forge relationships with OSOW youth and encourage their participation and continuation in the program by ensuring participants have access to supportive services. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Outreach and Recruitment (40%)

• Develop and implement creative outreach strategies to attract eligible youth to the OSOW program
• Screen and assess potential program participants, following established guidelines, including 3-step assessments
• Build relationships with community partners, schools, and youth organizations to expand program visibility
• Organize, conduct outreach activities, and participate in community events, workshops, and information sessions to raise awareness about the program
• Conduct engaging informational sessions about the program's benefits and opportunities

Participant Support and Retention (60%)

• Collaborate with Case Managers to identify potential barriers to program participation or completion
• Work with participants to develop strategies for overcoming challenges and ensuring successful program completion
• Connect participants with appropriate resources and referrals within the community, focusing on supportive services (e.g., housing, transportation, mental health) 
• Maintain regular communication with participants, especially during the follow-up period, to provide ongoing encouragement and support
• Assist with program events and activities that foster a sense of community and belonging among participants
• Track participant progress and report data to program leadership
• Ensure compliance with all organization and agency policies and procedures, including attendance at mandatory DYCD trainings and professional development throughout the year
  

QUALIFICATIONS

THE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE 

• Bachelor's degree in a human services field (Social Work, Youth Development, Education) preferred; or
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working directly with OSOW youth in a community setting
• Proven experience in outreach and engagement strategies, with a demonstrated ability to build trust and rapport with youth from diverse backgrounds
• Strong understanding of the challenges faced by OSOW youth populations
• Strong community connections and familiarity with local resources available to youth
• Proficient in Google Apps [Drive, Calendar, Sheets, Docs, Hangouts and Mail] and experience with tools such as Zoom and Salesforce
• Experience and passion for inclusion and working effectively with a diverse group of people

THE QUALITIES & ALIGNMENT YOU HAVE

• Eligible to work in the U.S.
• A valid driver's license and reliable transportation may be required
• Bilingualism (English and Spanish) is a plus
• Alignment and passion for our mission [Change the Story Tellers, Change the World!] and our core values [Growth, Trust, Empathy, Community, and Self-expression]
• Effective communication, interpersonal skills, and active listening skills, with the ability to build rapport with participants from diverse backgrounds
• Resourceful and proactive, with the ability to navigate complex situations and provide emotional support
• Personable, approachable, and demonstrates comfort in a people-focused role and experience in a team-based work environment
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively, prioritize workload and meet deadlines
• Growth mindset, effectively seeking diverse learning and experience and proactively implementing feedback for continued improvement
• Natural ability to lead and operate independently, with appropriate level of day-to-day guidance from management, to ensure successful program outcomes
• Strong judgment & decision-making ability for analyzing problems and developing effective, viable solutions that drive the effectiveness of the team and the organization as a whole
• Highly organized and flexible with proven experience thriving in a fast-paced environment where you juggle many responsibilities and ambiguity

Reel Works and DYCD are equal opportunity employers committed to creating and developing an inclusive staff team. BIPOC, people with intersecting identities - LGBTQIA , women and non-binary people, people living with disabilities and others with lived experience being part of marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request for individuals with disabilities.

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, the application for all positions at Reel Works includes the option to respond to questions regarding gender, ethnicity, disability, and veteran status (learn more here). This information will not be used as selection criteria in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Self-reporting of personal identifiers is voluntary. While we appreciate your cooperation as we aim to ensure we attract a diverse candidate pool, we respect your right to decide whether to share your personally identifiable information. If you'd rather not share this information, feel free to select "Decline to Answer".

Reel Works is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. For information about when and why we collect personal information on candidates, and how we keep it secure see our privacy policy.

Salary : $60 - $65