POSITION TITLE: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INTERN

MISSION: To disrupt the cycle of homelessness and promote sustained independence for current and future generations.

VISION: A compassionate community where everyone has a home and the opportunity to thrive.

PROGRAM: Community Engagement Programs

SUPPORTED BY: Development & Volunteer Coordinator, Program & Partnership Coordinator, Development Manager

PROGRAM LENGTH: 10 weeks, minimum 10 hours per week. This is an unpaid position.

BENEFITS:

• Gain experience with event support, fundraising, and all aspects of non-profit community engagement
• Develop rapport and establish strong connections with local community partners, groups, businesses, and non-profit organizations
• Learn how to work, communicate, and make positive change in a professional office environment
• Letter of recommendation can be provided upon successful completion of internship

POSITION SUMMARY: The Community Engagement Intern will assist in community engagement opportunities and fundraising events, coordinating special projects, and strengthening community partnerships.

LYDIA PLACE VALUES:

COMMUNITY
We believe strong healthy communities are the foundation to a better world.

EQUITY
We believe it is our responsibility to actively challenge systems of oppression. We recognize a majority of those experiencing homelessness have been marginalized.

UPSTREAM IMPACT
We believe that the best way to eliminate homelessness is to look beyond short-term solutions and focus on breaking the generational cycle of poverty.

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS
We value each other as humans first. We know that the best outcomes for our clients and our community are achieved when our team is healthy and thriving.

TO APPLY: Email resume and detailed cover letter outlining your interest, qualifications, experience, or information that may not be encompassed in your resume such as lived experience as it relates to this position, in attached .doc or .pdf format to Development Manager, Meredith Stamey at [email protected]. You may also submit hard copy materials via PO BOX 28487 Bellingham, WA 98228. Position open until filled.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT: Lydia Place is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on the basis of race, sex/gender, religion/creed, pregnancy, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, national origin, genetic markers, military or veteran’s status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Real-world experience has value in the workplace. Individuals who identify with non-dominant groups, who have experienced poverty and had first-hand knowledge working with system resources, and who have relevant, lived experience equivalent to minimum qualifications are encouraged to apply.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated experience equivalent to, or actively completing a degree in Communications, Public Relations, Business, or related field. Applicants using internship for class credit preferred.
• Background/ interest in the fields of social justice, human services, community education and engagement
• Ability to generate enthusiasm around programs and events as well as appreciate those individuals, groups, and businesses supporting Lydia Place
• Experience working with diverse groups of people
• Proficiency with word processing, Microsoft Office programs, and cloud-based internet software
• Completion of background investigation, including professional reference checks
• Valid driver’s license, access to a vehicle and proof of insurance required
• Proficiency in Spanish, Russian, or Sign Language preferred

REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES:

Anti-Oppressive Lens
Must be able to adopt anti-oppression, anti-racist, and trauma-informed framework to navigate complex systems of racism, poverty, homelessness, violence against women and children and other systems of oppression.

Effective Communication
Must be able to read and interpret documents, write reports, correspond verbally and in writing with clarity, and must embody active listening skills. Must be able to ask for help when needed and offer help to others when appropriate as well as give and receive feedback. Supports and explains reasoning for decisions.  

Initiative
Ability to assess and identify actions to address issues independently while knowing when to ask for appropriate support.

Organization
Effectively able to manage time and develop and carry out complex timelines and action plans. Able to follow policies and procedures.

Integrity
Responsible, reliable, and accountable for actions in all settings. Open and honest about own strengths, limitations, and boundaries.  Able to maintain confidentiality and commitments.

Emotional Intelligence
Must have an awareness of own emotions and be able to manage them while also being able to understand and respond appropriately to the emotions of others. Effectively manage disagreements. Ability to manage frequent high stress situations.

Open-mindedness
Adept at holding space for opposing ideas and embrace diversity in all areas of the workplace.

Courage
Willingness to step outside of your comfort zone to address uncertainty, fear, discomfort, inequities.

Curiosity
Positive change and innovation requires that we ask questions. The why’s, why nots, and what-ifs are crucial to this work and we encourage and expect employees to ask questions. We look for curiosity about ourselves, our workplace, the people, and families we serve, and the larger community.

Flexibility
Able to adapt and pivot as situations arise that are unexpected and/or challenging. Embrace needed change and manage well when faced with ambiguity.

Creativity
Thinking outside the box, resourcefulness, trying new things, approaching things differently and moving beyond the status quo.

Collaboration
Embraces a team approach with colleagues, community partners, and can work both individually and part of a team when needed. Supports organizations goals and values.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work closely with Community Engagement team on event support, execution, and follow-up for a variety of fundraising or client-focused events.
• Help coordinate additional community engagement opportunities such as donation drives.
• Assist with the organization and dispersal of donated goods to our direct service staff and community partners.
• Assist with creating promotional materials and content for in house signage, social media and newsletters for volunteers and greater community.
• A variety of administrative and organizational tasks that provide integral support to the functions of the Community Engagement Team.
• Additional duties as assigned.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. While performing these job duties, the employee is regularly required to listen to others and provide verbal feedback. The employee is required to sit for extended periods of time. Employee also is frequently required to stand, walk, climb, or balance.