Community Outreach Specialist Jobs in Iowa

JOB SUMMARY

The Community Engagement & Events Specialist serves as the primary liaison between Community Health Center of Fort Dodge (CHCFD) and the communities it serves. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating community engagement strategies that increase awareness of CHCFD services, improve patient access to care, strengthen community partnerships, support patient retention initiatives, and enhance the organization's visibility throughout its service area.

The Community Engagement & Events Specialist coordinates outreach events, develops community partnerships, promotes health education initiatives, supports patient engagement campaigns, assists with recruitment marketing efforts, and collaborates with internal departments to identify and address community needs. This position serves as a champion for CHCFD's mission, helping ensure the organization remains the provider of choice, employer of choice, and partner of choice within the communities it serves.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in community outreach, public relations, healthcare, marketing, community engagement, social services, or related field
• Valid Iowa Driver's License
• Reliable transportation with ability to travel between CHCFD service locations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and social media platforms

Preferred:

• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Marketing, Communications, Health Education, Social Work, Business, or related field
• Experience working in an FQHC, healthcare organization, public health, or community-based organization
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Experience coordinating events and community partnerships

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Special Events, Fundraising & Community Campaign Management

• Serve as the lead coordinator and project manager for all CHCFD fundraising events, community celebrations, awareness campaigns, and special events.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, execute, and evaluate major organizational events including, but not limited to:
• Annual Fundraising Gala
• Community Block Parties
• Coats for Kids Program
• Community Health Events
• Holiday Giving Initiatives
• School and Back-to-School Events
• Parades and Community Festivals
• Anniversary Celebrations
• Mobile Mammography and Community Health Campaigns
• Mental Health Awareness Events
• Other community engagement and fundraising initiatives
• Develop annual event timelines, budgets, project plans, and implementation strategies.
• Recruit, coordinate, and manage event volunteers, committees, sponsors, and community partners.
• Identify, solicit, and secure event sponsorships from businesses, organizations, foundations, and community supporters.
• Coordinate donation requests and procurement of auction items, raffle prizes, in-kind donations, and event supplies.
• Manage ticket sales, sponsorship packages, raffle sales, event registrations, and attendee communications.
• Coordinate event marketing and promotional activities including:
• Social media campaigns
• Print advertising
• Radio and television promotion
• Community calendars
• Press releases
• Website updates
• Email marketing campaigns
• Work collaboratively with internal departments to ensure adequate staffing, event support, and community representation.
• Establish and maintain relationships with community businesses, civic organizations, chambers of commerce, schools, and philanthropic partners.
• Track event participation, sponsorship revenue, fundraising outcomes, expenses, and return on investment.
• Prepare post-event evaluations and recommendations for future improvements.
• Develop strategies to increase community participation, sponsorship support, donor engagement, and fundraising revenue year over year.
• Serve as the organization's primary point of contact for community events, fundraising activities, sponsorship opportunities, and public engagement campaigns.

Community Engagement & Outreach

• Develop and implement annual community engagement plans and outreach strategies
• Coordinate and attend health fairs, community events, school events, chamber activities, and public outreach opportunities
• Represent CHCFD at community meetings, coalitions, and partner organizations
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, employers, community organizations, churches, social service agencies, and healthcare partners
• Identify opportunities to increase awareness of CHCFD services throughout the service area

Partnership Development

• Establish and maintain strategic community partnerships
• Coordinate collaborative community health initiatives
• Identify opportunities for community-based screenings, education, and enrollment events
• Participate in community needs assessments and community health improvement initiatives

Patient Engagement

• Support initiatives designed to improve patient retention and appointment adherence
• Collaborate with care teams to increase patient engagement in preventive services and care gap closure efforts
• Assist with MyChart enrollment campaigns and patient education efforts
• Promote programs and services that improve patient access and health outcomes

Marketing & Communications

• Assist with development of brochures, flyers, educational materials, newsletters, and community communications
• Coordinate social media content and community messaging in collaboration with leadership
• Develop press releases and public service announcements as appropriate
• Promote CHCFD events, services, and success stories

Recruitment & Organizational Promotion

• Assist with workforce recruitment marketing efforts
• Participate in job fairs and workforce development events
• Promote CHCFD as an employer of choice
• Support organizational branding and public relations initiatives

Data Tracking & Reporting

• Maintain outreach and engagement activity records
• Track event participation, referrals, community contacts, and outreach outcomes
• Prepare monthly reports outlining activities, successes, challenges, and opportunities
• Monitor community engagement metrics and recommend improvements

Other Duties

• Participate in organizational committees and special projects
• Assist with emergency response and community communication efforts when necessary
• Perform other duties as assigned

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Relationship Building
• Public Speaking and Presentation Skills
• Community Networking
• Event Planning and Coordination
• Written and Verbal Communication
• Customer Service Excellence
• Cultural Competency
• Strategic Thinking
• Organization and Time Management
• Problem Solving
• Adaptability

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Number of community partnerships developed and maintained
• Community event participation and attendance
• Patient referrals generated through outreach efforts
• Growth in community awareness and engagement activities
• MyChart enrollment and patient engagement support metrics
• Recruitment event participation
• Community education initiatives completed
• Timely completion of reports and outreach documentation

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee will regularly sit, stand, walk, communicate with community members, transport educational materials, and travel throughout the service area. Occasional lifting of outreach materials, displays, and supplies up to 30 pounds may be required.

The work environment includes clinic locations, community events, schools, businesses, community organizations, and outdoor events. Evening and occasional weekend activities may be required.

In any organization or job, changes take place over time. Although an effort will be made to keep job-related information current, this is not an all-inclusive list of job responsibilities. Community Health Center of Fort Dodge, Inc. reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the business need arises. In compliance with EEOC 29 CFR part 1630, if the essential functions of this position cannot be performed in a satisfactory manner by the employee, further accommodations shall be made if it does not constitute undue hardships upon this organization.