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Director, Basic Needs Outreach

Austin Community College

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Austin Community College is a public two-year institution that serves a multicultural population of approximately 41,000 credit students each Fall and Spring semester. We embrace our identity as a community college, as reflected in our mission statement. We promote student success and community development by providing affordable access, through traditional and distance learning modes, to higher education and workforce training, including appropriate applied baccalaureate degrees, in our service area.

As a community college committed to our mission, we seek to recruit and retain a workforce that:

• Values intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching
• Is attracted by the college's mission to promote equitable access to educational opportunities
• Cares about student success and collaborates on strategies to facilitate success for populations including; first generation college students, low-income students, and students from underserved communities.
• Focused on student academic achievement and postgraduate outcomes
• Welcomes difference and models respectful interaction with others
• Engages with the community both within and outside of ACC

Job Posting Title:
Director, Basic Needs Outreach

Job Description Summary:
The Director of Basic Needs Outreach at the Austin Community College District ("ACC" or "the College") is responsible for integrating the organization's commitment to meeting student basic needs with community resources and advocacy efforts. This role involves leading outreach initiatives, identifying student needs, and fostering partnerships with stakeholders such as community agencies and city officials. Working closely with the Special Advisor to the Chancellor for Basic Needs Systems, the Director develops and executes a community engagement strategy to enhance ACC's social services delivery system. Qualifications include a graduate degree in Social Work or relevant experience, strong organizational and communication skills, and a passion for community engagement and advocacy. This role is pivotal in advancing ACC's mission to support student success through collaborative partnerships and innovative initiatives.

Job Description:
Description of Duties and Tasks

Community Outreach and Engagement:

• Lead and coordinate community outreach efforts to develop and implement basic needs systems and social services delivery at ACC.
• Establish and nurture partnerships with diverse stakeholders in the Austin Metro area, including faith-based institutions, public officials, local government agencies, and social service organizations.
• Conduct regular data analysis on student basic needs, utilizing survey results and demographic information to inform decision-making and measure the effectiveness of outreach efforts.

Program Development and Response:

• Identify emerging needs and trends among ACC students related to housing, economic self-sufficiency, and childcare, proposing new programs or campaigns to address these needs.
• Collaborate with academic departments to integrate basic needs support into curriculum and student services, ensuring a holistic approach to student success.
• Establish protocols and procedures for responding to urgent student needs or crises related to basic needs, coordinating with campus and community resources for effective crisis management.

Strategic Planning and Evaluation:

• Develop, monitor, and execute a comprehensive community engagement strategy and plan for ACC's basic needs systems, ensuring inclusivity and equity in outreach efforts.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of basic needs programs and initiatives on a regular basis, gathering feedback from stakeholders and making adjustments as needed to improve outcomes.
• Research historical economic and food insecurity trends within the community, analyzing past approaches and proposing community-based solutions for addressing systemic issues.

Advocacy and Representation:

• Represent ACC Basic Needs Systems at internal activities and external events/community engagement functions, advocating for student well-being and community partnerships.
• Engage in ongoing advocacy efforts to address systemic issues related to basic needs insecurity, supporting policy initiatives and community-based solutions.

Professional Development and Leadership:

• Pursue ongoing professional development in areas such as community organizing, social work, and advocacy to remain current in best practices and emerging trends.
• Provide leadership and guidance to staff members involved in community engagement efforts, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Knowledge

• Understanding of community engagement principles
• Knowledge of basic needs support
• Familiarity with policy landscape
• Understanding of crisis management
• Knowledge of affordable housing and community development issues

Skills

• Effective communication and leadership
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving
• Strategic planning and advocacy
• Team leadership and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in making presentations

Technology Skills

• Proficiency in data analysis tools
• Familiarity with communication platforms
• Experience with project management software
• Knowledge of survey tools
• Proficiency in presentation software

Required Work Experience

Three years of experience in the following areas:

• Demonstrated track record of successfully organizing and prioritizing multiple ongoing projects.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a self-motivated and responsible approach.
• Experience working in the nonprofit sector, either as a leader or staff member.
• Demonstrated initiative to identify and implement solutions with a track record of success.

Preferred Work Experience

• Five or more years of related experience.
• Previous experience in community outreach/organizing roles, preferably in a nonprofit sector.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, ever-changing work environment.
• Experience speaking in front of groups and making persuasive presentations.
• Prior experience in leadership roles within community engagement or social service organizations.

Required Education

• Master's degree in Social Work or a related field.

Preferred Education

• Previous experience or coursework related to affordable housing and community development issues.
• Additional certifications or training in areas such as leadership, project management, or public speaking.

Special Requirements & Licenses/Certifications

• Licensure (or within six months of licensure) in Social Work or a related field.
• Valid Texas Driver's License and reliable transportation for travel in the Austin area as required.

Other Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellence in organizational management, with the ability to build and lead high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated ability to set and achieve strategic objectives in community engagement or social service settings.
• Proficiency in grant writing to secure funding for community programs.
• Understanding of legislative processes for effective advocacy.
• Experience in volunteer management to maximize community involvement.
• Tech-savviness for utilizing digital platforms in outreach efforts.
• Skills in data visualization for compelling presentation of information.
• Ability to build collaborative partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in conflict resolution for navigating complex dynamics effectively.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel between campuses as needed
• Work is performed in a standard office or similar environment.
• Subject to standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
• Occasional lifting of objects up to 10 pounds.

Safety

• Work safely and follow safety rules. Report unsafe working conditions and behavior. Take reasonable and prudent actions to prevent others from engaging in unsafe practices.

Salary Range

$71,744 - $89,680

Disclaimer

The above description is an overview of the job. It is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities of the job, nor is it intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Duties and responsibilities may change with business needs. ACC reserves the right to add, change, amend, or delete portions of this job description at any time, with or without notice. Employees may be required to perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made by ACC as its discretion to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Updated 6/2024

Number of Openings: 1

Job Posting Close Date:
July 1, 2024

Clery Act

As required by the US Department of Education, employees are required to report violations under Title IX and, under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), select individuals are required to report crimes. If this position is identified as a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified, trained, and provided resources for reporting.

Disclaimer

The above description is an overview of the job. It is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities of the job, nor is it an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Duties and responsibilities may change with business needs. ACC reserves the right to add, change, amend, or delete portions of this job description at any time, with or without notice. Employees may be required to perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made by ACC at its discretion to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job.


To apply, please visit: https://austincc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/Highland-Campus/Director--Basic-Needs-Outreach_R-6237