Community Navigator bei Penobscot Bay YMCA

Description

Join our team and make a difference in your community!

Are you a person who loves being rooted in your local community, connecting people to resources, and sharing knowledge and information?  The Penobscot Bay YMCA is seeking a part-time Community Navigator who will act as a knowledgeable guide and advocate, providing information, making referrals, and offering personalized support to help community members navigate and access the resources they need to be healthy, happy, and connected. 

This part-time, hybrid position (averaging  21 - 23 hours/week) will have you working across Rockport, Camden, and Thomaston, with travel throughout Knox County.  This position is dependent on continued grant funding, with an anticipated start date of October 1, 2025.

What You’ll Do:

• Manage client intake and conduct assessments
• Research and connect clients with local, state, and federal resources
• Oversee our community navigation help line
• Maintain a comprehensive database of community resources
• Foster relationships with community partners and promote our services
• Track client data and prepare reports for grant funding 

What We’re Looking For

• A high school diploma or GED (Associate or Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field preferred)
• 1–3 years of experience in social work, case management, or community outreach
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a team-oriented mindset
• A self-starter who can adapt in a fast-paced environment
• Strong computer skills and a valid driver's license 

Why Join Us?

• Retirement Program – Access to retirement on Day 1, with potential eligibility for a 10% match from the YMCA after two years.
• Membership Perks – Enjoy a free, individual annual YMCA membership ($696 value!)
• A Role That Makes a Difference –  The Pen Bay Y is a community cornerstone where all people can connect, grow, and thrive, and you are a vital part of that vision.

Requirements

Essential Functions

• Manage client intake and conduct comprehensive information-gathering interviews to assess client needs.
• Research local, state, and federal services and assistance programs to determine the programs that are best suited to address individual client needs.
• Oversee the community navigation help line to ensure timely, accurate response and support for callers.
• Create and maintain a comprehensive database of community resources.
• Serve as a YMCA liaison for community outreach efforts, including attending events, fostering relationships with partners, and promoting services through social media, marketing materials, and public postings.
• Work with the Community Health Promotion department to build and maintain strong, authentic relationships with participants, staff, community organizations, and local legislative offices to advance the YMCA’s mission and reach.
• Setup a new data system to track client data, referrals, and program outcomes, and prepare regular data reports for municipal and state administrators as required by grant funding.
• As a Mandated Reporter, recognize signs of abuse or neglect and report to a supervisor and the appropriate authorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support department goals and community impact.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field strongly preferred.
• 1–3 years of experience in social work, case management, community outreach, or a related field.
• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work positively with co-workers, community members, and partners.
• Self-starter who can multitask, work independently, and adapt to changing needs in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong computer skills and the ability to learn new software effectively and securely to track client data.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for community-based work.
• Ability to approach client needs with empathy, compassion, and sound judgment to connect them with appropriate resources.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods and be able to communicate using a computer, phone, and smart mobile device.
• The employee is frequently required to sit and reach, and must be able to move around the work environment.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds, such as equipment used for educational presentations.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust visual focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.