Community Connector

Major Responsibilities:

• Listens to community voices and builds relationships among residents and with key community stakeholders and members. Connects with and participates in naturally occurring gatherings of community residents to listen for community voices, concerns and dreams. Represents Advocate Aurora Health in congregational and community collaborative and networks.
• Communicates community concerns and issues to Faith Community Nurse, congregational and community-based partners, Advocate Aurora Health Community Health staff and other relevant stakeholders. Connects congregation and community members with messages and programs supporting healthy lifestyles, social connectedness, and health equity.
• Ensures effective linking of faith-based efforts to improve community well-being. Assists with community health assessments of needs and assets in partnership with Advocate Aurora Health Community Health and public health partners. Participates in planning process to develop implementation plans to address health issues raised in assessments.
• Connects key programs, leaders and resources across the community to enhance overall collaborative work to address the social conditions that impact community health. Promotes a unified strategy for health and community thriving.
• Connects community residents with available services. Connects congregation members and community residents with services through Advocate Aurora Health and providers. Directs community residents to the Faith Community Nurse for triage, health education, and specialized health support. Mobilizes support for populations of patients identified as vulnerable or in particular need of faith-rooted care.
• Provides support to community residents identified as vulnerable or in need of special support. Offers social support and links individuals to available social support networks. Coordinates Support Teams or other caring programs.
• Advocates for needed services and resources. Works with community partners to identify collaborative advocacy agenda to address root causes of priority community health issues. Advocates for adequate funding, accessibility and equity for issues that impact the health of the community. Consults with Advocate Aurora Health Government Relations staff to integrate community voice and perspective into advocacy initiatives carried out by Advocate Aurora Health.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• None Required.

Education Required:

• Advanced training beyond High School that includes the completion of an accredited or approved program in Community Health, or
• Certificate of General Educational Development (GED) or High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), or
• High School Graduate

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 3 years of experience in community organizing, social work, sociology, political science, or ministry.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Familiarity in working in faith-based settings.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent relationship building and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent poise and teaching skills.
• Ability to develop relationships in multicultural and multi-religious settings.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, across multiple internal teams and external partners.
• Demonstrated a keen understanding of the integration of faith and health as a core factor in mental health recovery.
• Demonstrated spiritual maturity.
• Cultural humility
• Ability to work independently

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to sit for the majority of the workday.
• Occasionally lifts up to 10 lbs.
• Exposed to a normal office environment.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
• Local travel required (approx. 30–50%), travel within assigned neighborhoods and partner sites, and IL for in person team meetings or trainings, mileage reimbursed per organizational policy, parking or tolls reimbursed if incurred for work-related activities

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.