Epicenter NYC, a community journalism organization based in Queens, is seeking a contract Community Ambassador to supports Epicenter’s outreach and engagement efforts. This person will connect directly with residents in priority neighborhoods, helping to identify individual and community needs, and guide people toward available resources and supports. This role blends in-person engagement, basic screening and assessment and navigation assistance. Working independently but in coordination with Epicenter Foundation staff, the Contractor helps strengthen community awareness, access to services, and overall well-being.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Community Engagement & Outreach
Contractor will serve as a Community Ambassador, supporting Epicenter Foundation’s work in diverse communities through:
- Direct engagement with residents in communities of color and priority neighborhoods, including 1:1 conversations, community events, interactive presentations, and in-person outreach such as flyering and tabling.
- Resource distribution and messaging dissemination supporting awareness of programs and services that promote community well-being, highlighting health resources and important updates, as well as job opportunities, workforce resources, financial empowerment, and services such as free tax preparation.
- Assisting individuals in understanding available resources and, when appropriate, helping them take the next steps to access those supports (e.g., providing information, helping locate services, navigating basic guidance on completing a form or making an appointment).
- Coordinating with Epicenter staff to ensure outreach aligns with community needs and organizational goals.
2. Screening & Assessment Support
The Community Ambassador may support Epicenter in conducting general screenings or assessments to identify community members’ needs across a range of areas related to social supports, access to services, or resource gaps.
This may include:
- Administering Epicenter-provided screening or assessment tools.
- Gathering information across domains such as housing, food access, transportation, safety, financial stability, or other areas impacting daily life.
- Documenting screening outcomes accurately and ensuring individuals understand next steps.
- Conducting assessments on a recurring or as-needed basis.
3. Navigation & Resource Connection
When individuals require additional help, Community Ambassador will provide navigation services, which may include:
- Offering information on available community programs, benefits, services, or supports.
- Providing guidance or referrals to connect individuals with organizations that can address identified needs.
- Ensuring individuals understand how to access the resources recommended to them.
- Coordinating with Epicenter staff or partners to support successful follow-through when appropriate.
4. Collaboration, Reporting & Administrative Support
- Collaborate with Epicenter staff to support project goals and community engagement strategies.
- Assist with data entry, summaries, recaps, and basic reporting as required by Epicenter.
- Participate in meetings, trainings, or briefings when requested.
- Provide feedback and ideas to improve outreach approaches, presentations, and engagement strategies.
- If and when necessary, help secure culturally sensitive staff to scale engagement.
Pay Range: $20-25 per hour, commensurate with experience
About Epicenter NYC
Epicenter started as a newsletter to help communities, especially those at the epicenter of the epicenter in NYC, navigate Covid through journalism, an artist program, small business coverage and on-the-ground resources. Today, it is an award-winning multiplatform community journalism organization that also includes podcast and video content, and features small businesses, culture and things to do, artists profiles, and coverage on issues that impact people’s everyday life. Epicenter-NYC connects, informs and engages people IRL and digitally through the power of culture and community.
