Community Development Specialist

Job DetailsPosition Type: Part TimeEducation Level: 4 Year DegreeSalary Range: $55,000.00 - $60,000.00 Salary/yearTravel Percentage: Up to 25%Job Shift: DayJob Category: Health CareEqual Opportunity Employer The mission of the Health Federation of Philadelphia is to promote community health by advancing access to high-quality, integrated, comprehensive health and human services. We believe in and are firmly committed to equal employment opportunity for employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status.  This commitment applies to all aspects of the Health Federation of Philadelphia’s employment practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promotion. JOB SUMMARY Home Grown, a fiscally sponsored project of the Health Federation of Philadelphia, is a national collaborative dedicated to creating a more inclusive child care system that values and supports home-based child care (HBCC), including care provided by family, friends, and neighbors (FFN). The organization envisions a future where all children have access to quality care that fosters their growth, learning, and well-being. By addressing systemic barriers and amplifying the unique value of HBCC, Home Grown advocates for sustainable change that positions HBCC as a viable and high-quality child care option for families. Guided by core values such as community-centered approaches, collective action, and innovation, the organization prioritizes uplifting care providers and families, fostering provider-led networks, and building scalable solutions. Home Grown believes that the voices of providers and parents must shape policy decisions and action. We are committed to supporting the leadership, visibility, and participation of home-based child care providers. The Community Development Specialist will identify and engage with providers, connecting them to Home Grown’s programs, resources, and storytelling opportunities. As a relational and hands-on team member, the Specialist will support providers through enrollment, onboarding, and continued participation in Home Grown’s projects and initiatives. This role requires strong community organizing skills, deep respect for provider experience, and the ability to work independently while collaborating closely across teams within Home Grown to achieve our strategic goals. Much of this work happens in the field, independently. The Specialist decides how to approach a provider or partner, when to escalate a concern, and how to represent Home Grown in the moment. It is a deeply community-centered role, requiring regular in-person outreach in key geographies and a passion for being in action with others to grow grassroots power. The Community Development Specialist is self-motivated and thrives in relationship-centered work. They are grounded in equity and respect for diverse lived experiences, and are comfortable navigating complex, dynamic environments. Responsibilities/Duties Provider Recruitment & Engagement Develop and implement a provider outreach and recruitment strategy for Home Grown’s priority geographies and affinity groups with clear action steps, measurable milestones, and visible outcomes aligned with strategic priorities. Conduct regular outreach travel, including 5-6 multi-day trips annually for recruiting, relationship building, provider engagement, leadership development, partner meetings, conferences, and internal meetings. Collaborate with local partners to plan and deliver outreach activities, including forums, focus groups, peer support, and virtual engagement. Build relationships with home-based child care providers through direct community outreach, referrals, and events in areas Home Grown has selected as a priority. Lead eligibility conversations with potential providers considering values-alignment and goals, and decide how to position each provider for the right next step. Serve as providers’ first point of contact, and coordinate a warm handoff to the appropriate program manager once that judgement call is made. Track and document outreach activities, provider relationships, engagement status, and other data using internal systems to support planning, reporting, and continuous improvement. Provide mentorship and training to emerging HBCC leaders on advocacy, policy, organizing, network leadership and other skills to advance their goals. Step in to resolve conflict among HBCC advocates and leaders, deciding how to  build consensus, and foster collaboration across diverse communities and viewpoints. Build relationships with HBCC-led or serving associations and community-based organizations to deepen context and extend reach. Make day-to-day calls in the field about how to approach various stakeholders and adjust strategy on the spot when local conditions change. Program Coordination Serve as a bridge between providers and other Home Grown programs and initiatives, ensuring clear and timely communication, smooth handoffs, and responsive support. Track and analyze the progress and trends of initiatives. Use data insights to inform improvements and share recommendations. Identify and analyze trends, gaps, and barriers that providers face from recruitment through program entry, and bring  a clear point of view to internal conversations about how to strengthen readiness and participation. Collaborate across teams to co-develop programs, strategies and solutions that improve accessibility and impact for HBCC providers connected to Home Grown. Develop workflows to ensure efficient and effective management of administrative and project deliverables (e.g., scheduling, invoicing, etc). Document and communicate effective practices and strategies. Storytelling Collaborate with the narrative strategy team to identify providers whose stories illustrate key policy issues or program impacts. Contribute to community-facing communications materials by sharing relevant insights and feedback from providers. Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with colleagues across all Home Grown teams to align outreach with strategic priorities. Represent Home Grown at community events and convenings; serve as a relationship builder with key partner organizations. Support event planning and coordination for provider-focused engagement. QualificationsEducation:  Bachelor’s degree in social work, community organizing, or a related field; or substantial lived and professional experience in caregiving or a related field that demonstrates equivalent skills and knowledge. Skills/Experience Required: 3–5 years of experience in community outreach, organizing, or engagement roles. Experience coordinating community events or group activities. Demonstrated ability to build trust and relationships across demographics. Culturally competent, empathetic, and strongly oriented to support diverse stakeholders from various communities. Strong project coordination and follow-through skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a remote environment. Confidence with technology and virtual communication tools. Desired: Experience in early childhood education or familiarity with HBCC settings. Lived experience as a child care provider. Bilingual proficiency. While Spanish is widely spoken, we also welcome fluency in other languages commonly used in communities across the U.S., particularly in the South and Midwestern states. Work Environment:  Fully remote position working with a national team. We have a preference for candidates residing in Central states or the Southeast. This position offers the opportunity for hybrid work in downtown Philadelphia. Position Type and Work Schedule:  Part-time position. Typical hours are Monday through Friday, between 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, local time to the candidate. Flexible office schedule options are available, subject to supervisor approval. Travel:  Ability to travel about 20%-30% of the time annually to meet with community members, attend conferences, and for internal gatherings. Physical Demands:  n/a Salary and Benefits:  The annual salary for this position ranges from $55,000 to $60,000. (full-time equivalent $68,750 - $75,000) based on a fixed schedule of 30 hours per week (80% FTE) established at the time of hire. This salary is fixed for the agreed-upon schedule and will not vary based on hours worked in any given week.  Our employees are our most valuable resource, so we offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, which can include: •             Medical with vision benefits •             Dental insurance •             Flexible spending accounts •             Life, AD&D Insurance •             Short- and long-term disability insurance •             403(b) Retirement Plan, with a company contribution •             Paid time off including vacation, sick, personal and holiday •             Employee Assistance Program  Eligibility and participation are handled consistent with the plan documents and HFP policy.  For applicants living outside the Pennsylvania/Delaware/New Jersey tri-state area, full-time employment through a Professional Employment Organization with a comparable benefits package may be considered. DISCLAIMER The Health Federation reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in any way the Company desires. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an employee assigned to this position. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, responsibilities and/or skills to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not an employment contract, implied, or otherwise. The employment relationship remains “at will.” The aforementioned job requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified disabled individuals.