Bilingual Prevention Education and Community Development Specialist

What's the difference between a job and a rewarding profession?

One is simply a means to an end; the other provides meaningful work with a sense of purpose and belonging.

At The Retreat, we believe the work we do is meaningful and rewarding. We are committed to ending intimate partner violence in our community by providing no-fee counseling, legal services, shelter, and education programs to anyone experiencing abuse or sexual assault.

The Retreat offers an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and a generous paid time off policy. Our uniquely structured benefits package means little or no cost to the employee.

Bilingual Prevention Education and Community Development Specialist | Full-time | Benefits Eligible | 35 hours per week

Flexible office location Hauppauge or Riverhead | Local travel to schools & community organizations

Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm | Occasional evenings and weekends for a total of 35 hours/wk

PURPOSE

The Prevention Education and Community Development Specialist is responsible for developing, facilitating, and implementing The Retreat's educational initiatives and outreach efforts, focusing on the prevention of relational abuse. This position will work with diverse community members to build awareness, educate, and provide support in preventing abuse. The specialist will train community partners to promote healthy relationship-building, utilizing culturally relevant approaches to ensure inclusivity, while also appropriately responding to abusive relationship situations.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, facilitate, and deliver education programs aimed at preventing abuse for individuals across various age groups in both English and Spanish.
• Build awareness and engage the community through outreach efforts, including event coordination, training opportunities, and direct communication.
• Tailor educational materials for diverse populations, ensuring accessibility and relevance.
• Collaborate with other community organizations, agencies, and professionals to develop strategies for abuse prevention and response.
• Translate materials from English to Spanish and facilitate in-person and online workshops and presentations in English and Spanish

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Development and Facilitation

• Educate professionals as part of the Abuse in Later Life program through awareness training;
• Provide Coordinated Community Response team support;
• Participate in the expansion of The Retreat's education programming by assisting in the design of and leading of workshops to help prevent abuse and promote respect throughout the community;
• Tailor The Retreat's education curricula and materials to meet the needs of the targeted audience.

Evaluation

• Develop and implement evaluation strategies to determine the effectiveness of programs and workshops;
• Prepare monthly (and as needed) reports highlighting program outcomes for grant reporting, analysis, and evaluation of programming

Outreach

• Participate in task forces to build a coordinated community response to promote healthy relationships;
• Host outreach tables at community events and health fairs to build awareness about The Retreat;
• Track and coordinate agency-wide participation in outreach efforts;
• Mentor and support youth and adults with referrals to counseling and other support services as needed;
• Build relationships and a referral network among support staff at schools and community agencies.

Other

• Maintain records of all activities completed
• Prepare monthly/quarterly/annual outcome reports as requested
• Participate in training opportunities and staff meetings

POSITION RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports to the Abuse in Later Life Project Coordinator and Director of Prevention Programming

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Public Health, Education or related field is preferred but not required if equivalent experience can be demonstrated. 2 years of experience in any of the following areas: community outreach, education, social work, mental health, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the duties of the position. Previous experience presenting information to groups in person or online. Must understand sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking through education, previous work, or volunteer experience. Must be willing to continue building knowledge in the field. Bilingual in English/Spanish required.

Required capabilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Spanish
• Strong interpersonal skills to develop and maintain positive relationships with school administrators, teachers, and students
• Ability to provide education through group workshops and one-on-one meetings
• Experience working with all ages ranging from kindergarten to adult
• Ability to maintain a trauma-informed and caring approach to connecting with students and community members
• Ability to utilize social media for outreach and communication purposes
• Must be fluent in Microsoft Office and Google Suite

Other requirements:

• Must have a valid New York State Driver's License (required) and reliable transportation (mileage reimbursed)
• Fingerprint clearance required

Other requirements:

• Must have a valid New York State Driver's License (required)
• Fingerprint clearance required

THE RETREAT, INC. IS COMMITTED TO A POLICY OF EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND WILL NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST AN APPLICANT OR EMPLOYEE BASED ON RACE, CREED, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, MILITARY STATUS, VETERAN STATUS, AGE, MARITAL STATUS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM STATUS, DISABILITY, PREGNANCY-RELATED CONDITION, GENDER IDENTITY, RELIGION, GENETIC PREDISPOSITION, FAMILIAL STATUS, ANCESTRY, PRIOR ARREST OR CONVICTION RECORD OR ANY OTHER PROTECTED CATEGORY UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.

Candidates must pass SCR, SEL, and OCFS Fingerprint background checks before hire. 

Salary : $55,000 - $65,000