Community Outreach & Development Specialist

One of only three selective universities within the University System of Georgia and a top 10 ranked public university in the Southeast, GCSU offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors, more than 30 graduate programs, doctorates in education and nursing, professional certificates, and continuing education programs.

As a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), GCSU is committed to fostering a liberal arts environment that values academic preeminence, interdisciplinary inquiry and an inclusive learning community. GCSU enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and nationally ranked programs according to US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Colleges of Distinction - among other ranking sources.

Georgia College & State University takes great pride in combining the educational experience of a private liberal arts college with the affordability of a public university. Faculty and staff are dedicated to student engagement and experiential learning through high-impact practices such as internships, service- and community-based learning, leadership development, study abroad opportunities, mentored undergraduate research and a capstone project that fosters intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry and critical thinking.

The university's beautiful and historic campus is located downtown in Milledgeville, Georgia, a charming college town of approximately 19,000 residents in Central Georgia, and only 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also the home of noted American author and alumna, Flannery O'Connor, '45, and the college community enjoys many exciting literary arts programs at O'Connor's former home, Andalusia, a National Historic Landmark owned by the university. Milledgeville is located on the banks of beautiful Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, allowing faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of the environmental and recreational benefits of being part of a lake community. For cultural, educational and leisure opportunities beyond Milledgeville - Macon and Atlanta are located within easy driving distances.

Georgia College & State University is dedicated to protecting academic freedom in addition to supporting freedom of expression as outlined in the University System of Georgia's Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom policy and its Ethics Code of Conduct. For more information, visit us online at gcsu.edu.

Job Summary

The Community Outreach & Development Specialist is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing impactful community engagement initiatives that strengthen educational outcomes and lifelong learning across the community settings. This role collaborates closely with community partners, facilitates training, and advances the organization's mission through strategic outreach and specialized content expertise.

Responsibilities

• Program Development - 35%
  • Develops, implements, and manages impactful community outreach initiatives and relevant resources that promote early language and literacy with an emphasis on birth to age three.
  • Plans, executes, and delivers high-impact professional learning for public health, health care, childcare, and community organizations that support early language and literacy and caregiver capacity.
  • Advances early literacy programs through training, coordination, and engagement to expand community learning spaces and community impact and to reach families with young children.
  • Works with the program manager to ensure alignment with research-based strategies and measurable impact metrics specific to early learning and family support.
  • Oversees seasonal and initiative-based community outreach program planning and ensures alignment with the organizational strategic plan.
  • Develops social media content related to community outreach and literacy initiatives' impact, emphasizing successes in supporting families with young children.
• Collaboration - 20%
  • Engages with public health, health care, childcare, and community organizations to support literacy initiatives that reach families with young children.
  • Establishes and maintains relationships with community partners through regular reports, meetings, and collaborative communication.
  • Collaborates with public health, health care, childcare, and community organizations to design and establish strategic plans that address literacy needs for young children.
  • Partners with libraries to advance Science of Reading practices, fostering community-based literacy learning.
• Operational and Administrative Tasks - 25%
  • Manages email communication, meeting preparation, and agenda development.
  • Serves on search committees.
  • Represents the organization through community event attendance and relevant conferences.
  • Tracks data for community outreach meetings and projects.
  • Evaluates outreach effectiveness.
  • Distributes early literacy learning materials.
• Professional Development and Continuous Learning - 15%
  • Engages in specialized training to deepen expertise in early childhood development, family engagement, and evidence-based practices supporting children birth to three.
  • Stays informed on best practices in early literacy and community outreach through research articles, conferences, and professional networks.
  • Applies insights from professional learning to improve program design, partnership strategies, and the quality of community-based initiatives.
• Other - 5%
  • Performs other duties as assigned in support of the organization's mission, programs, and strategic priorities.

Required Qualifications

• Educational Requirements
  Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Education, Public Health, Social Work, Human Services, Community Development, Communications, Family Studies, or a related field.
• Required Experience
  3 - 5 years of progressive experience working in community organizations, early childhood education, literacy instruction, or professional development for educators, with a proven record of measurable impact.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred Educational Qualifications
  Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Literacy, or a related field.
• Preferred Experience
  Strong background in community outreach, early language development, adult learning strategies, and strategic planning.
  Data analysis and evaluation expertise to assess program effectiveness and apply findings to continuous improvement.
  Experience working with communities, coaching, curriculum development, and instructional design.
  Advanced knowledge of e-learning tools and best practices for online professional development.

Proposed Salary

This position is a pay grade 9. The available salary range is $52,880.00 to $66,156.00. Starting salary within this range is based on relevant years of experience. Compensation will be determined based on experience and qualifications.

For more information about GCSU compensation practices, click here: https://www.gcsu.edu/humanresources/pay-grade-structure.

Required Documents to Attach

• Cover Letter
• Resume / CV

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Abilities

• Ability to engage cross-disciplinary partners, including educators, health-care providers, and social service organizations.
• Ability to plan, execute, and manage multiple concurrent community outreach initiatives alongside administrative responsibilities.
• Ability to represent the organization professionally at community events, conferences, and search committees.
• Ability to apply research-based and Science of Reading practices to program design and community literacy initiatives.
• Ability to adapt communication and training approaches to multifaceted partners and family populations.

Knowledge

• Cultural and community responsiveness: Understands and values the multifaceted experiences of families with young children and adapts approaches accordingly.
• Early childhood expertise: Knowledge of developmental milestones, early language and literacy development, and family-centered practices for children birth to three.
• Communication: Knowledge on how to engage cross-disciplinary partners, including educators, health-care providers, and social service organizations.
• Collaborative mindset: Works effectively across organizations, agencies, and disciplines to advance shared goals.
• Equity orientation: Committed to removing barriers and promoting equitable access to early learning opportunities.
• Strategic thinking: Connects community engagement activities to larger organizational goals and measurable outcomes.
• Empathy and professionalism: Demonstrates compassion, discretion, and respect in all interactions with families and partners.
• E-learning proficiency: Knowledge of e-learning tools and best practices for online professional development.

Skills

• Leadership and project management skills, including experience leading cross-sector collaborations and managing multi-stakeholder projects.
• Training and facilitation skills, with the ability to design and deliver high-impact professional learning for public health, health care, childcare, and community organizations.
• Program planning and evaluation skills, including data tracking and assessing outreach effectiveness to inform continuous improvement.
• Content development skills, including creating social media and literacy resource materials for community audiences.
• Relationship management skills, including maintaining community partnerships through regular reporting and collaborative communication.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG). The Board of Regents prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any USG program or activity because of the individual's protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual's protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.

Other Information

• This is not a supervisory position.
• This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
• This position will be required to drive.
• This role is not considered a position of trust.
• This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
• This position may travel 25% - 49% of the time.
• This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

• Criminal Background Check
• Education Verification
• DMV Check
• Drug Screening

To apply, visit https://careers.hprod.onehcm.usg.edu/psp/careers/CAREERS/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=36000&JobOpeningId=301979&PostingSeq=1.