Overview:
The Children’s Services Department (CSD) is driven by a mission to promote the safety, stability, and well-being of unaccompanied children as they reunify with family across the United States. Our work is rooted in a child-centered, culturally competent, and trauma-responsive approach that empowers the children and families we serve. Guided by the values of integrity, compassion, cooperation, accountability, and belonging, CSD partners with communities nationwide to ensure that unaccompanied children have safe pathways and access to essential services.
About CWS:
Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone’s life. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether supporting refugees, asylees, or unaccompanied children across the U.S., implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia, or rebuilding projects in Central America—or even connecting remotely from home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications—you have the opportunity to work toward a world where everyone has food, a voice, and a safe place to call home.
Purpose:
The Community Engagement Officer strengthens service pathways for unaccompanied and immigrant children by developing and maintaining community partnerships nationwide. The Officer leads outreach, landscape mapping, and partner coordination to expand referral networks, enhance community collaboration, and inform departmental strategy. This role works closely with internal program teams and external stakeholders to ensure communities are equipped with accurate information and that children have access to a robust continuum of care. Some domestic travel is required.
Responsibilities:
Community Outreach & Partnership Development
- Conduct targeted proactive outreach to community-based organizations under identified priority areas such as service providers, schools, healthcare systems, faith-based groups, child welfare and legal services to educate on the needs of UAC in order to expand referral pathways and address gaps in knowledge and services for unaccompanied and immigrant children.
- Coordinate trainings with said stakeholders (training child welfare organizations and school districts on the unique needs of UAC and available resources /supports, for example).
- Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with key external stakeholders (child welfare, school districts, legal service organizations, etc.) across priority regions. Consults with local CWS sites to prevent duplication of efforts and to coordinate a strategy when overlap exists.
- Represent the organization in-person and virtually at community events, coalition meetings, and provider networks to increase visibility and strengthen community ties.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for partner engagement, information exchange, and resource coordination.
- In collaboration with the Program Implementation team, develop and deliver presentations, informational sessions, and materials to external audiences to promote available services for unaccompanied children.
Landscape Mapping & Network Analysis
- Conduct comprehensive landscape mapping to identify potential partners, service gaps, and regional strengths. This includes mapping of existing partners / potential partners and collaboration with local offices that may have existing relationships to avoid duplication of efforts.
- Develop and maintain an updated database of community partners, including services offered, geography, capacity, contact points, and partnership status.
- Analyze local and national trends affecting unaccompanied and immigrant children, using data to guide outreach priorities and inform departmental strategy.
- Identify emerging opportunities and risks within the partner ecosystem to enhance service access and continuity of care.
Strategic Return-on-Investment (ROI) Assessment
- Create partner profiles and assessments to evaluate alignment, impact potential, and strategic value to the organization.
- Support leadership in determining ROI for partnership activities, including measuring referral increases, service accessibility, and operational efficiencies.
- Track and report engagement metrics, progress, and outcomes to inform decision-making and strategic planning.
- Track and report on in-kind contributions.
- Recommend partnership strategies that maximize reach, improve operational effectiveness, and strengthen service pathways for children.
Cross-Department Collaboration
- Collaborate closely with CWS US nationally managed and state programs, legal, communications and marketing and policy teams to ensure accurate messaging and alignment with organizational priorities.
- Coordinate with internal teams to ensure follow-up, accountability, and continuity of relationships with external partners.
- Share community insights and trend data to support strategic planning, program design, and departmental initiatives.
Communications & Resource Networking
- Develop outreach materials, partnership briefs, maps, and presentations that effectively communicate the department and organization’s mission, service offerings and outcomes.
- Assist in developing guides, toolkits, and informational resources (one-pagers, newsletters, program outcomes, etc.) for staff and external partners.
- Support the creation of community engagement strategies that advance awareness and visibility of UAC, referral pathways, and partner collaboration.
Other Responsibilities
- Serve as a mandated reporter, ensuring compliance with CWS reporting protocols for suspected abuse or neglect.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, community development, public administration, communications, or related field (required).
Experience
- Minimum 5 years in community outreach, partnership development, or stakeholder engagement (required).
- Experience in social services or nonprofit sectors (required).
- Experience working with vulnerable immigrant populations or children (highly preferred).
Skills
- Strong relationship-building, written and verbal communication, and presentation skills. Comfort with public speaking and engaging participants is required.
- Knowledge of community resources, social service provider networks, and trends in the UAC field.
- Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
- Social media and content development skills
- Ability to conduct landscape mapping, partner assessments, and basic data analysis.
- Strong project management, organization, and time-management abilities.
- Ability to work collaboratively across diverse communication styles.
- Proactive, detail-oriented, and adaptable in fast-paced environments.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish, highly preferred.
Special Requirements:
Special Requirements
- Able to sit for an extended period.
- Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
- Remote position must have access to reliable internet and appropriate workspace. Standard work hours with occasional evening or weekend assignment.
- Successfully pass Motor Vehicle Records, SEA, FBI, and Child Abuse and Neglect Checks and federal Suitability Determination by third party vendor (not affiliated with CWS).
- Valid driver’s license, personal vehicle, and insurance required.
- Reasonable proximity to airport for work-related travel
Benefits :
CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes
403(b) Retirement Plan
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days Off after 2 Years)
14 Official Holidays
12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)
Life Insurance and AD&D
Long Term and Short-Term Disability
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Accounts
