Outreach Specialist/Life Skills Educator - job 1 of 2

As an Outreach Specialist/Life Skills Educator at the Center for Employment Opportunities, your role encompasses a variety of essential tasks. You will conduct outreach and recruitment activities by engaging with probation and parole offices, build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, and present information about CEO’s programs to potential participants and community partners. Additionally, you’ll facilitate life skills education, preparing participants for employment through resume writing and mock interviews, while ensuring accurate documentation of all participant interactions in our case management system.

To qualify for the Outreach Specialist/Life Skills Educator position at the Center for Employment Opportunities, applicants should have a minimum of two years of experience in educational roles, preferably involving group presentations. Candidates with lived experience of incarceration or involvement in the justice system are strongly encouraged to apply. Familiarity with Salesforce, proficiency in data management software such as Excel, and strong interpersonal skills are also crucial for fostering relationships with participants and stakeholders.

The Center for Employment Opportunities is committed to the continuous learning and professional development of its staff. Outreach Specialists/Life Skills Educators benefit from various training opportunities, including workshops on Motivational Interviewing, performance evaluations, and team-building activities. The organization also emphasizes teamwork, offering resources for collaboration and engagement to enhance skills and foster a supportive workplace culture.

Outreach Specialists at the Center for Employment Opportunities work in a collaborative and positive environment where teamwork and inclusion are prioritized. With a focus on social justice and participant success, employees are encouraged to engage fully with colleagues and community partners, participate in learning opportunities, and maintain a balance between passion for their mission and professionalism.

The Outreach Specialist/Life Skills Educator position at the Center for Employment Opportunities offers a salary range of $46,288. The role comes with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, retirement plan participation, paid parental leave, and vacation days. Employees also have access to professional development opportunities and are encouraged to participate in team outings and events that foster a culture of teamwork.

When answering this question, express your passion for social justice and your desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals reintegrating into society. Share specific reasons you resonate with CEO’s mission and how your background aligns with their values.

Detail your relevant experiences, focusing on any roles where you directly supported individuals with similar backgrounds. Highlight your understanding of their challenges and how you successfully facilitated their growth and skill development.

Share specific strategies you use to establish trust and build relationships. Discuss your approach to communication, active listening, and finding common ground to foster collaborative partnerships.

Describe your teaching philosophy and techniques. Emphasize your adaptability in tailoring content to different learning styles and your focus on creating an inclusive, supportive classroom environment.

Talk about your organizational skills and tools you use to stay on track. Provide examples of how you prioritize tasks and manage deadlines in a dynamic work environment.

Explain how you use feedback as a tool for growth, both for yourself and your participants. Discuss how you cultivate a safe space that encourages constructive feedback and open communication.

Share a specific challenge related to outreach or education, detailing the steps you took to resolve the issue and what you learned from the experience. Highlight your problem-solving skills and resilience.

Discuss critical skills such as empathy, communication, adaptability, and relationship-building. Provide examples of how these skills have been valuable in your past experiences.

Emphasize your attention to detail and the systems you’ve implemented in the past to maintain accurate records. Highlight the importance of documentation in tracking participant progress and facilitating effective communication.

Detail your approaches to fostering an engaging learning environment, such as utilizing interactive activities, encouraging discussions, and relating the curriculum to participants' real-life experiences.