Community outreach specialist

Job Details:

Job Location: On Campus Transition - Jacksonville, FL

Salary Range: Undisclosed

The Arc Jacksonville Community Outreach Specialist

The Arc Jacksonville is seeking a Community Outreach Specialist to support students in our educational programs, Career Campus and the On-Campus Transition (OCT) Program. The primary goal of this position is to build strong relationships with local employers and develop consistent internship opportunities that provide students with meaningful, hands-on, real-world work experience. The Community Outreach Specialist will work closely with employers and program coordinators to identify potential internship sites, establish ongoing business partnerships, and connect students with opportunities that align with their interests, skills, and career goals. This position will play an important role in preparing students for future employment by expanding access to workplace experiences and helping employers create inclusive opportunities.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter, relationship builder, and strong communicator who is passionate about creating opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences to succeed in the workplace.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develop and maintain relationships with local businesses and organizations to create internships and employment opportunities for students in Career Campus and the OCT Program.
2. Build and maintain a network of consistent internship sites where students can gain hands-on work experience and explore different career paths.
3. Identify new business partners and industries that align with students' interests, skills, and career goals.
4. Work closely with program coordinators and instructors to coordinate internship placements and ensure opportunities meet students' needs.
5. Regularly communicate with employers to maintain partnerships, address concerns, and encourage continued participation in student internship programs.
6. Conduct regular site visits to internship and employment locations to monitor student experiences, support employers, and identify opportunities for continued collaboration.
7. Assist students with preparing for internships, including interview preparation, workplace expectations, communication skills, and other employment-related skills.
8. Collaborate with program staff to support students as they transition into internship placements and gain experience in real-world work environments.
9. Help employers understand how to support individuals with intellectual and developmental differences in the workplace and identify strategies that promote successful internship experiences.
10. Participate in student transition and planning meetings as needed to discuss internship opportunities, career interests, and future employment goals.
11. Represent The Arc Jacksonville at community events, employer meetings, transition fairs, and other outreach activities to promote the educational programs and develop new partnerships.
12. Maintain accurate records of employer contacts, business partnerships, internship sites, student placements, and program outcomes.
13. Collaborate with program staff, students, families, and Vocational Rehabilitation, as appropriate, to support students' employment goals and access to available resources.
14. Pursue and maintain required Vocational Rehabilitation certification as an Employment Specialist to provide authorized VR employment services, as applicable to program needs and agency requirements.
15. Complete other duties as assigned to support the success of the educational programs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution preferred.
• Experience in business development, community outreach, workforce development, education, or employment services preferred.
• Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental differences is preferred.
• Experience as a job coach, supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental differences in workplace settings, preferred.
• Experience working with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), including familiarity with employment services, referrals, and the vocational rehabilitation process, preferred.
• Strong relationship-building, networking, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with employers and community partners.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and take initiative in developing new opportunities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, families, program coordinators, employers, and community partners.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, as needed to support student internships, employer partnerships, and program activities.
• Must have a valid Florida driver's license and a good driving record and be willing and able to drive agency vehicles.

SALARY:

$40,000–$50,000

Please note that all employees of The Arc Jacksonville must complete a background screening housed and managed by the Agency for Health Care Administration called the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. The Clearinghouse is a first-in-the-nation enterprise system for background screening results of individuals required by law to undergo screening for employment in positions that provide services to vulnerable populations, as mandated by section 435.12, Florida Statutes. To learn more and complete your screening, please visit info.flclearinghouse.com.