WNC Community Engagement Specialist

Reports To:  Program Manager

Position:  1099 Contract- Temporary (6 months with potential to extend)

Location:  Based in Watauga or Buncombe County, NC

OUR MISSION: Wine To Water (WTW) is committed to supporting life and dignity of all through the power of clean water.  

CORE VALUES: Integrity, Excellence, Courageous Communication, Extreme Ownership, and Entrepreneurship.

Job Summary: The Community Engagement Specialist will play a crucial role in achieving WTW’s mission of supporting people’s knowledge of and access to clean drinking water. They will be a liaison for the organization fostering positive relationships between Wine To Water and the communities we serve across western North Carolina. This role is responsible for raising awareness about the challenges of safe drinking water and building long-lasting trust and collaboration with community members. The Specialist will work closely with local stakeholders, community leaders, and residents to ensure that public health information is accessible, relevant, and impactful.

Key Responsibilities

Community Outreach & Awareness:

• Develop and implement strategies to raise awareness of safe drinking water challenges and the importance of water filtration systems.

• Lead public awareness campaigns, workshops, and community meetings to educate residents about water quality issues and the organization’s efforts to address these problems.

• Create and distribute informational materials (e.g., brochures, flyers, social media posts) on safe drinking water and the benefits of water filtration.

Filter Distribution & Education:

• Collaborate with Water Quality Specialists in the distribution of water filters to communities, ensuring that the filters reach the individuals and families who need them most.

• With Water Quality Specialist, provide hands-on training and support to community members on how to use and maintain water filtration systems.

• Collaborate with local organizations, schools, and health clinics to ensure knowledge based outcomes.

Community Relationship Building:

• Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with community leaders, local stakeholders, and residents to foster collaboration and participation in water safety initiatives.

• Facilitate open dialogue between the organization and community members to understand their concerns, needs, and perspectives on safe drinking water.

• Address and resolve any concerns or questions raised by community members regarding the water filtration system or the organization’s mission.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Track and report on the success of community engagement initiatives and overall community response.

• Collect and analyze feedback from community members to improve future engagement efforts and ensure the sustainability of water-related programs.

• Collaborate with the Western North Carolina Recovery team to assess the impact of safe drinking water programs.

• Identify areas of high vulnerability and need where additional water, sanitation and hygiene programming are needed.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Social Work, Communications, Environmental Science, Education, or a related field.

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in community engagement, public health, or a related role (experience in water, sanitation, or environmental advocacy is a plus).

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and educate diverse community groups.

• Experience in conducting workshops, presentations, or educational outreach in a community setting.

• Cultural competency and sensitivity to working with diverse populations and underserved communities.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders, including local governments, community based organizations, and residents.

• Basic knowledge of water quality issues and the benefits of water filtration systems is highly desirable.

Additional Attributes:

• Empathy and active listening skills to build trust within the community.

• Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities.

• Organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

• Familiarity with social media and digital communication platforms to reach broad audiences.

• Fluency in both English and Spanish (spoken and written) is desirable in order to effectively engage diverse communities and ensure clear communication across language barriers.

Working Conditions:

• This position will involve both fieldwork and office-based tasks. Fieldwork will require traveling to and working within communities in various locations.

• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for community meetings or events.

• Must be comfortable working in diverse and sometimes challenging environments.

Why Join Us?

At Wine To Water, we are dedicated to creating confidence in and access to safe drinking water. Be an integral part of sustainable change in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene by providing safe drinking water and empowering residents through education and trust-building. As a Community Engagement Specialist, you will have the opportunity to make a direct impact on the health and well-being of communities, contributing to a brighter, healthier future for all.