Bilingual Community Educator - (Full Time)

Overview of The Rowan Center:

The Rowan Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence and providing prevention education throughout Lower Fairfield County. For nearly 50 years, we have worked to prevent sexual violence and other trauma, respond to crisis when harm occurs, and support adult and youth survivors on their path to healing.

Each year, we provide thousands of free, confidential services through our 24/7 helpline, crisis counseling, advocacy, prevention education, support groups, and long-term trauma therapy. Our prevention education programs reach more than 25,000 students annually, while our advocacy and counseling services support survivors, families, schools, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and communities throughout the region.

The Rowan Center also operates the Trauma Recovery Practice, a statewide outpatient mental health program providing evidence-based, trauma-informed therapy, including EMDR, for adults across Connecticut who have experienced any form of trauma.

KidSafeHQ is The Rowan Center’s statewide digital safety platform designed to equip parents and caregivers with the tools they need to protect children from online and offline harm, including sextortion, grooming, cyberbullying, deepfakes, and digital exploitation. The platform combines expert insights, local law enforcement guidance, and trusted resources to help families navigate today’s rapidly changing digital world.

Position Overview:

The Bilingual Community Educator (English/Spanish) plays an essential role in advancing The Rowan Center's prevention and education mission by delivering engaging, evidence-informed programs in both English and Spanish throughout Lower Fairfield County. This position works closely with the Director of Education & Outreach to educate students, parents, professionals, and community members on sexual violence prevention, healthy relationships, consent, child safety, and emerging online risks.

The Bilingual Community Educator serves as an important bridge to Spanish-speaking families and communities by providing culturally responsive education, outreach, and resources that increase access to The Rowan Center's services.

The Bilingual Community Educator also supports the continued growth of KidSafeHQ through bilingual community outreach, parent education, and public awareness initiatives that help families navigate today's increasingly complex digital landscape.

As a member of The Rowan Center team, the Community Educator will also complete crisis counselor training and provide direct support to survivors through helpline coverage and advocacy services, including providing services in Spanish when appropriate.

Key Responsibilities:

Prevention Education

• Deliver age-appropriate prevention education programs for students from kindergarten through college in both English and Spanish.
• Facilitate interactive presentations on topics including personal safety, consent, healthy relationships, sexual violence prevention, child abuse prevention, bystander intervention, and digital safety.
• Adapt presentations to meet the developmental, cultural, linguistic, and educational needs of diverse audiences.
• Translate or assist in adapting educational materials into Spanish while maintaining cultural relevance and accuracy.
• Assist in developing, reviewing, and updating educational curriculum and training materials.
• Collect program evaluation data and prepare reports demonstrating educational outcomes and community impact.

Community Outreach & Professional Training

• Deliver trainings in English and Spanish for parents, caregivers, educators, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, businesses, and community organizations.
• Represent The Rowan Center at community events, health fairs, conferences, and outreach opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with schools, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and community partners, with an emphasis on expanding engagement within Spanish-speaking communities.
• Promote prevention initiatives and increase awareness of available services throughout the region.
• Assist with translation and interpretation at community events as needed.

KidSafeHQ

• Support statewide outreach and education efforts for KidSafeHQ.
• Assist in creating and delivering bilingual parent workshops, community presentations, webinars, and educational resources focused on online and offline child safety.
• Help connect English- and Spanish-speaking families, educators, and professionals with trusted child safety resources and local services.
• Stay informed on emerging issues affecting children and adolescents, including sextortion, online exploitation, cyberbullying, grooming, deepfakes, AI-related abuse, and technology-facilitated harm.

Crisis Response & Survivor Support

• Successfully complete The Rowan Center's 40-hour Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor Training.
• Provide scheduled coverage for The Rowan Center's 24/7 helpline, including responding to Spanish-speaking callers.
• Respond to hospitals and police departments to provide in-person advocacy and crisis intervention for survivors of sexual violence.
• Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, safety planning, and referrals in both English and Spanish, as appropriate.
• Be able to arrive at hospitals in Stamford, Norwalk, or Greenwich within approximately 40 minutes when on call.

Additional Duties:

• Participate in staff meetings, supervision, strategic planning, fundraising events, and community initiatives.
• Pursue ongoing professional development and maintain knowledge of best practices in prevention education, trauma-informed care, child safety, and culturally responsive services.
• Work occasional evenings and weekends based on program and event schedules.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support organizational priorities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in education, public health, social work, women's studies, sociology, communications, or a related field preferred.
• Fluency in both English and Spanish (written and spoken) is required.
• Experience providing presentations, education, or community outreach in both languages strongly preferred.
• Experience working with children, adolescents, schools, or community organizations strongly preferred.
• Experience in education, counseling, prevention programming, public speaking, crisis intervention, or nonprofit work highly desirable.
• Excellent presentation, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to engage diverse audiences with confidence, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.
• Strong writing, computer, and time management skills.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.
• Ability to travel throughout Lower Fairfield County for presentations and advocacy response.
• Commitment to trauma-informed practice, equity, inclusion, and The Rowan Center's mission.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary: Commensurate with experience. Range: $50k-$60k
• Benefits: Employer-subsidized life, medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• 15 days of accrued Paid Time Off annually
• 12 paid holidays
• 2 floating holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact through prevention education, survivor advocacy, and statewide child safety initiatives