Community Outreach Worker – Amharic Speaking

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS:

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) creates and coordinates services that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents. Driven by the needs of residents, DHSP’s extensive services and programs touch almost every sector in the city: from newborns to senior citizens, from school-aged children to homeless families, from non-profit organizations to local employers.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Community Engagement Team (CET) is part of the Community Engagement and Family Support Division under the Department of Human Service Programs for the City of Cambridge. The Community Engagement Team (CET) values diverse, flexible, creative, teamwork-oriented staff members. CET is committed to serving all families, especially those traditionally underheard, underserved and historically excluded families. CET connects these families to resources and community events. Outreach Workers Report to the Community Engagement Manager. Outreach Workers are expected to have a highly visible presence in Cambridge. They are also expected to support departmental outreach efforts to reach a diverse community and encourage community leadership.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attend all the training sessions required.
• Refer families to early learning services and events that benefit the literacy development of their children.
• Organize a series of culturally appropriate parenting workshops to underserved families with young children in Cambridge.
• Participate on advisory boards and/or round table discussions, as assigned, that address community needs.
• Participate in discussions and educate the Community Engagement Team about outreach strategies for building relationships with hard-to-reach communities.
• Complete all required paperwork: document outreach activities and participate as needed in the evaluation of the program.
• Attend all outreach worker team meetings.
• Reach out to Amharic Speaking communities in Cambridge and engage them in programs, services, and planning processes. This work may include placing flyers around the community, posting to social media, attending events, hosting focus groups, visiting local businesses or places of worship, implementing surveys, and other engagement opportunities.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Experience and Education

• Experience with parenting
• Cambridge resident strongly preferred
• Understanding of the Cambridge Ethiopian community preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must speak Amharic
• Sincere desire to reach underserved Cambridge families with young children
• Ability to relate well with diverse groups and individuals
• Knowledge of, or willingness to learn about, early learning community resources
• High motivation
• Strong work ethic
• Willingness to learn and to teach others
• The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORKING CONDITIONS, WORK FLEXIBILITY AND ACCOMODATIONS:

• General office environment with air conditioning and fluorescent lighting
• Job requires some walking.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.