Community Well-Being Specialist

YMCA OF METROPOLITAN LOS ANGELES

The LA Y is the Center for Community Well-Being in Los Angeles, committed to building stronger communities by providing equitable programs and services to empower all. We are focused on fighting food insecurity, providing equity in education, making sure every child has the opportunity to experience the joy of sports, ensuring kids and teens have a safe place to grow, learn and live a healthy lifestyle. The LA Y’s health and wellness initiatives offer medical and mental health resources to ensure everyone has access to basic health needs. Our mission is to provide services and resources that contribute to the well-being of our community. The LA Y operates 29 Centers and over 200 program sites across LA County.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Community Well-Being Specialist will play a pivotal role in leading efforts to address isolation, loneliness, and lack of connection within the communities served by the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. This role involves designing, implementing, and overseeing a range of programs that foster social interactions, promote well-being, and create a sense of belonging among individuals of all ages and backgrounds. The Community Well-Being Specialist will collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including community partners, volunteers, and staff, to create a vibrant and inclusive environment that aligns with the mission of the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Principle Responsibilities:

PROGRAM OPERATIONS/COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

1. Program Development and Implementation:
   • Design and develop innovative community engagement programs that target isolation, loneliness, and lack of connection.
   • Create a diverse range of activities, workshops, events, and support groups that cater to the needs and preferences of various demographic groups.
2. Stakeholder Collaboration:
   • Collaborate with community organizations, schools, healthcare providers, and local businesses to establish partnerships that enhance program effectiveness and reach.
   • Collaborate with volunteers and mentors to ensure smooth program implementation and participant engagement.
3. Strategic Planning:
   1. Develop long-term strategies for addressing social isolation and loneliness, aligning programs with the organization's vision and community needs.
   2. Regularly evaluate program impact and adapt strategies based on feedback and evolving trends.
4. Resource Management:
   1. Manage program budgets, including allocation of resources for materials, venue rentals, and guest speakers.
   2. Identify potential sources of funding or grants to support program expansion and sustainability.
5. Team Leadership:
   1. Lead a team of program coordinators, facilitators, and volunteers, providing guidance, support, and training to ensure program success.
   2. Foster a collaborative and positive work environment that encourages creativity and innovation.
6. Participant Engagement:
   1. Ensure programs are well-promoted and reach their target audiences through effective marketing and outreach strategies.
   2. Foster a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that encourages participants to actively engage and form connections.
7. Data Collection and Reporting:
   1. Collect and analyze data to track program outcomes and measure the impact of initiatives on participants' well-being and connectivity.
   2. Prepare regular reports for organizational leadership and stakeholders.
8. Community Building and Networking:
   1. Act as a spokesperson for the organization's community engagement efforts, building relationships with community leaders, influencers, and partners.
   2. Attend relevant community events and meetings to represent the organization and stay informed about local needs and trends.
9. Attend staff meetings and trainings as required. Travel, as required, for off-site meetings, trainings and events.
10. Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting and risk management.
11. Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Fairness) as well as the YMCA Core Values of Caring, Respect, Honesty and Responsibility in all dealings with members, guests, volunteers and fellow staff.
12. Demonstrate competencies in and willingness to develop in the Cause-Driven Leadership areas of Mission Advancement, Collaboration, Operational Effectiveness and Personal Growth.
13. Participate as a member of the overall YMCA Early Learning Readiness department.
14. Support and Attend Association special events. Support branch special events, as appropriate.
15. All other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

STAFF ENGAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

1. Recruit and hire program staff using screening tools and panel interviews to gain the best possible fit with each opening.
2. Provide direct supervision to department staff, assuring that all staff are qualified, certified, and are meeting minimum performance standards for their position.
3. Support professional development through trainings, technical support and providing resources. This can look like attending professional development and trainings or hosting professional development and trainings.
4. Provide direct supervision of program staff, including recruitment, onboarding and training, performance management and development.
5. Provide extensive training to program staff and interns to more effectively engage, inform, and involve community members.

YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

The Y's Leadership Competency Model is comprised of 14 Leadership Competencies (leadership knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for success in the Y), organized by the four disciplines of Cause Driven Leadership:

• ADVANCING OUR MISSION & CAUSE: Provide visionary leadership to the organization and to ensure that all resources are mobilized to adapt to new challenges and needs in the community.
  • Competencies include: Change Leadership, Engaging Communities, Philanthropy, Volunteerism
• BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS: Connect people to the Y’s cause by developing inclusive relationships, partnerships and collaborations so that Ys can co-create solutions to pressing social needs
  • Competencies Include: Collaboration, Communication & Influence, Inclusion.
• LEADING OPERATIONS: Ensure relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability of the organization so that we can continue to fulfill our promise to the community
  • Competencies include: Critical Thinking & Decision Making, Fiscal Management, Functional Expertise, Innovation, Program/Project Management.
• DEVELOPING & INSPIRING PEOPLE: Support the holistic development of self and others so that everyone can embrace the Y’s cause, sustain the Y’s culture, and inspire others to take individual and collective action to further our impact.
  • Competencies include: Developing Self & Other, Emotional Maturity

While all competencies are significant the following are critical to success in this position:

• Engaging Community
• Program & Project Management
• Inclusion • Critical Thinking & Decision-Making
• Collaboration
• Developing Self & Others
• Emotional Maturity