Family Recruitment & Community Engagement Specialist

Family Recruitment & Community Engagement Specialist

Position Type: Full-time, Exempt

Reports to: Program Manager Central Region

Work Location: Hybrid - Central Virginia, Richmond area – 75% in the field, 25% in office/at

Connection Events

Kidsave is a nonprofit with an entrepreneurial spirit, committed to helping older children and teens in foster care find permanent families and lasting supportive connections. The Family Recruitment and Engagement Specialist is responsible for identifying, engaging, and supporting prospective host, mentor, and adoptive families throughout the recruitment and onboarding process.

This position requires a relationship builder who enjoys networking, developing community partnerships, and inspiring others to make a difference. Success requires exceptional follow-through, persistence, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while consistently meeting recruitment goals. Evening and weekend work is required to support orientations, community presentations, and recruitment events.

The ideal candidate is a highly motivated self-starter who takes ownership of results, proactively creates new opportunities, and is persistent in following every lead to completion. They thrive with minimal supervision, embrace ambitious goals, are resilient in the face of challenges, and are driven to continually expand Kidsave's network of families and community partners.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Family Recruitment:

• Develop and implement strategies to recruit qualified host, mentor, and adoptive families.
• Build relationships with prospective families through consistent communication, encouragement, and follow-up.
• Use recruitment techniques to understand prospective families' motivations, address concerns, overcome barriers, and guide families through orientation and application, maximizing engagement and completion at every stage.
• Meet established recruitment and conversion goals.

Community Outreach & Partnership Development:

• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, businesses, employers, faith communities, civic organizations, schools, and volunteer groups.
• Conduct presentations to educate community partners and recruit prospective families.
• Represent Kidsave at community events, resource fairs, conferences, and networking opportunities.
• Identify and cultivate new partnership opportunities that expand community awareness and generate prospective families.
• Develop and maintain an active pipeline of community partners and referral sources that generate ongoing family recruitment opportunities.

Program Support:

• Coordinate and facilitate orientations for prospective families.
• Support Weekend Miracles events by preparing families and facilitate meaningful interactions with children and teens.
• Collaborate closely with Program Manager to ensure families move efficiently from inquiry through application submission.
• Assist with advocacy efforts that increase visibility for children waiting for permanent connections.

Marketing & Communications:

• Work with communications staff to promote recruitment campaigns and develop local outreach opportunities using social media, community calendars, newsletters, partner communications, and other grassroots marketing strategies.

Data Management & Reporting:

• Maintain accurate and timely records of recruitment activities, inquiries, partnerships, and family progress in the organization's CRM database.
• Track recruitment metrics and provide regular reports on outreach activities, conversion rates, and recruitment outcomes.
• Continuously evaluate recruitment strategies and recommend improvements.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/WORK EXPERIENCE (required)

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Two or more years of experience in community outreach, nonprofit development, volunteer recruitment, business development, sales, marketing, education, child welfare, or another relationship-based field.
• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable with public speaking and presenting to groups.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM/database systems.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in child welfare, foster care, adoption, mentoring, or family services.
• Experience using relationship-based engagement techniques to recruit families and volunteers.
• Understanding trauma-informed care, adolescent development, and the unique needs of older youth in foster care.
• Experience building partnerships with community organizations or employers.
• Public relations, marketing, or communications experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Relationship-building and networking
• Community engagement and partnership development
• Public speaking and presentation skills
• Sales and relationship-based recruitment techniques
• Strong verbal persuasion, persistence, and follow-up skills
• Knowledge of foster care, permanency, adoption, mentoring
• Understanding of trauma-informed care, adolescent development, and cultural competency
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Problem-solving, initiative, and sound judgment
• CRM Database management and data-driven decision making
• Ability to inspire and motivate community members to become involved in Kidsave's mission
• Ability to inspire and motivate others to become involved in Kidsave's mission
• Ability to work collaboratively with county staff, community partners, and internal program teams

Success Measures

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Growth in qualified family inquiries
• Conversion of inquiries into completed orientations, training, and approved families.
• Development of productive community partnerships that generate prospective families.
• Increased visibility of the Weekend Miracles program through community outreach and presentations.
• Achievement of recruitment benchmarks through proactive outreach, strong follow-up, and effective relationship management.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should email their resumes and three (3) professional references to Jeanette Roman at View email address on apply.j-vers.com

Kidsave is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our culture and our work on behalf of children who need family connections. Kidsave provides equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability.

Compensation: $70,000-$73,000 per annum, commensurate with experience. Opportunities for advancement within development or other areas of the company.

Excellent Benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance. PTO, 401K, Life and ADD, Employee Discounts (through Insperity Marketplace), Adoption and Educational Assistance, and more.