Intercultural & Community Outreach Coordinator

THE SALVATION ARMY

NORTH & CENTRAL ILLINOIS DIVISION

OAKBROOK TERRACE CORPS

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Intercultural & Community Outreach (ICO) Coordinator

LOCATION/DEPT: Oakbrook Terrace Corps

REPORTS TO: Corps Officers

FLSA CATEGORY: Non-exempt

STATUS TYPE: RFT

DEPARTMENT MISSION

The Intercultural Ministries Coordinator at The Salvation Army Oakbrook Terrace (OBT) Corps/Church will be responsible for promoting and facilitating intercultural understanding, cooperation, collaboration, and worship within the OBT church community. This individual will play a vital role in fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment where people from diverse cultural and racial backgrounds feel welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to fully participate in the life of the church.

Initiating new programs and lead current programs which includes worship, evangelism, fellowship, and discipleship, directed to the surrounding community - with emphasis on multi/intercultural engagement and integration - by meeting needs in the name of Christ. Working with people, from diverse cultural backgrounds, in a team environment and interact well in a positive manner with volunteers, co-workers, and Corps Officers. Adherence to Salvation Army policy and procedures to perform duties with minimal supervision. Position requires establishing self as a leader, to not only perform in a leadership role, but to also be recognized by others as a leader.

OUTCOMES

Increase attendance and participation in intercultural events and activities. Establish and maintain partnerships with new community organizations or cultural groups within the local area. Recruit and train new volunteers to assist with intercultural ministry initiatives. Increase the representation of diverse cultural backgrounds in leadership positions within the church. Facilitate intercultural dialogue sessions or forums, with a goal of engaging participants. Increase the number of cross-cultural partnerships or collaborative initiatives with other churches or religious organizations. Develop and maintain a database of contacts within the local community representing various cultural backgrounds for outreach and engagement purposes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Outreach (50%)

1. Develop and implement strategies to promote intercultural awareness and sensitivity among OBT Corps/Church members and leadership.
2. Coordinate and facilitate intercultural events, workshops, and activities that promote cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.
3. Serve as a resource person for individuals and groups seeking guidance on intercultural communication and integration.
4. Collaborate with Corps leaders and ministry teams to ensure that intercultural perspectives are integrated into the planning and implementation of various church programs and initiatives.
5. Stay informed about relevant cultural trends, issues, and best practices in intercultural ministry and incorporate learnings into the church's programming and outreach efforts.
6. Work closely with the Corps/church leadership to promote a culture of inclusion and belonging for people of all cultural backgrounds.
7. Regularly assess and evaluate the effectiveness of intercultural ministry initiatives and make recommendations for improvements as needed.

Ministry (50%)

1. Maintain and develop a working knowledge of the surrounding multicultural community, taking responsibility to keep up to date and request assistance for further development needs.
2. Coordinate weekly Worship, Bible study, discipleship, and fellowship within the multicultural community, with the goal of full integration into the general OBT community.
3. Promote and provide culturally and linguistically relevant opportunity for community worship and public proclamation of the Gospel message.
4. Shepherding and visitation to multicultural Corps' members.
5. Responsible for coordinating Soldiership recruitment classes for non-English speaking members.
6. Initiate and maintain a targeted visitation strategy in areas of non-English speaking or multicultural population concentration (i.e., Soccer ministry, ESL programs, non-English Worship).
7. Follow up contacts with regular and seasonal non-English speaking or multicultural social service clients, Sunday visitors, family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors of all ministry participants.
8. Promote, encourage, and synchronize assimilation into existing Oakbrook Terrace Corps program and activities.
9. Be responsible for networking with other TSA Intercultural Ministries within the NCI Division.
10. Represent Oakbrook Terrace's Hispanic Ministries as member of the NCI Divisional Hispanic Council when possible (eight times a year).
11. Organize purposefully, fun, and family-friendly community events, sensitive to surrounding multicultural cultures and practice public with opportunity of proclamation of the Gospel message.
12. Assist with pastoral counseling with Spanish and Multicultural Social Service clients when needed.
13. Support and assist with holiday ministries as assigned (i.e. Kettles, Seasonal food distributions, Angel tree/Toy shop, Three Kings Celebration).
14. Attend divisional and territorial camps as well as trainings which support the department mission and outcomes of this position.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports to the Corps Officers.

This individual relates to and interacts with a wide range of contacts both within and outside The

Salvation Army and in these contacts, they act as a representative of the Army and its mission.

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

This individual will be evaluated on how effectively the outcomes of this position are achieved as well as the timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of accomplishing assigned goals.

A 30, 60, and 90-day performance review will be conducted.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• A BA or BS in a ministry field is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in intercultural ministry, cross-cultural communication, social services, or related fields.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) with an ability to communicate fluently in Spanish preferred.
• Valid Driver's license/MVR clearance.

COMPETENCIES

• A strong commitment to promote the mission of The Salvation Army and a passion for intercultural ministry.
• Knowledge of the concepts of ministry.
• A spiritual maturity in understanding faith.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to relate effectively to people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• An interpersonal style that is service oriented as well as anticipates and responds to the needs of clients and staff.
• An excellent attention to detail, procedures, processes, and policies.
• A demonstrated ability to manage projects, priorities, and/or staff in a constantly changing environment.
• A flexible style that also displays a willingness to learn.
• Possess ability to multitask with a strong awareness of deadlines.
• Effective written and oral communication skills, especially in public presentations.
• A "hands-on" knowledge of how to effectively work with diversity in the workplace.
• A familiarity with the community.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.

POSITION LIMITATIONS

• This individual will only commit Army resources that have been allocated or approved.
• This individual will keep the Corps Officers informed on all critical issues relating to their area of responsibility.
• This individual will adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position is required to do light physical work and must be able to lift 20 pounds.
• In order to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to remain stationary for some periods of time; communicate; use hands and fingers; move; occasionally required to position self to stoop, kneel or crouch; frequently required to reach with and use arms and hands, as required in using standard office equipment and a PC.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to focus.
• The work environment for this position includes an office environment with a low noise level.
• Maintain positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with co-workers and supervisors. This would include but not be limited to such actions: resolution of conflicts in a positive manner; courteous treatment of staff, clients, and visitors; respect of others' property and person, professional and appropriate communication to and about co-workers, supervisors, and subordinates. Support the Mission of The Salvation Army by treating every donor, contact and colleague with respect and dignity, and without discrimination of any kind.

THE SALVATION ARMY MISSION STATEMENT

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.