Title: Communications, Engagement & Community Relations Coordinator

State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist I

Hiring Range: $53,380 - $68,500 commensurate with experience

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Southeastern VA Training Ctr

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/sevtc/employment

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Passionate about helping others? Start a rewarding career at Southeastern Virginia Training Center!

Southeastern Virginia Training Center (SEVTC) is seeking a Communications, Engagement & Community Relations Coordinator to administer and coordinate facility programs related to volunteer services, fundraising, employee engagement, community outreach, and internal communications in support of the facility’s mission and strategic priorities.

This role helps strengthen communication, engagement, and community partnerships that support SEVTC’s mission. The coordinator develops internal communications, supports volunteer and fundraising initiatives, coordinates employee engagement activities, and builds relationships with community partners that enhance services for the individuals we serve.

The position also serves as the facility liaison to the Office of Communications within the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), ensuring facility messaging aligns with agency branding standards, social media guidelines, and the One DBHDS initiative.

About Us

At Southeastern Virginia Training Center (SEVTC) we serve citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are an intermediate care facility operated by the Department of Behavioral health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) where we support individuals in state-of-the-art homes with accommodations unique to their specific needs.

At SEVTC, we take pride in providing our individuals with a person-centered approach, fostering their independence, and ensuring their life is fully realized to their potential. Our employees are our most valuable asset, and we take time to invest in their health, wellness, and happiness.

Our employees are our most valuable asset, and we invest in their health, wellness, professional development, and overall well-being.

 About the Role

The Communications, Engagement & Community Relations Coordinator plays a key role in supporting communications, engagement, and community partnerships at Southeastern Virginia Training Center.

In this role, you will:

• Administer and coordinate the facility’s Volunteer Services Program, including volunteer recruitment, orientation, assignments, and recognition activities.
• Support fundraising initiatives and donor engagement efforts, including sponsorship coordination and tracking contributions.
• Build relationships with community partners, vendors, donors, and volunteers to strengthen community involvement.
• Plan and coordinate employee engagement and recognition activities, including facility-wide events and initiatives.
• Develop and distribute internal communications such as newsletters, announcements, and visual displays.
• Maintain and update communication boards and digital signage to ensure messaging is accurate and timely.
• Support facility social media and communications initiatives in coordination with the DBHDS Office of Communications.
• Create communications materials such as flyers, brochures, presentations, and digital content.
• Assist with community outreach and partnership events that promote engagement with SEVTC.
• Track and summarize volunteer participation, donations, and engagement activities to support reporting and program improvement.
• Collaborate with leadership and departments across the facility to strengthen communication and engagement initiatives.

This position is designated as essential personnel, which may require working during emergencies or facility needs. Employees may also be required to work varied shifts or overtime as necessary.

All new hires must successfully complete the facility’s pre-service training program.

 

Skills and experience required:

We seek a candidate with a demonstrated ability to coordinate programs, events, outreach activities, and presentations while collaborating with multiple stakeholders. Candidates should also demonstrate:

• Knowledge of program administration principles including planning, implementing, and evaluating programs and services.
• Knowledge of communications practices including branding standards, social media use, and internal communications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to develop newsletters, presentations, instructional materials, and promotional content.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to coordinate programs, events, outreach activities, and presentations while collaborating with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners.
• Ability to prepare presentations and use audiovisual or multimedia equipment for meetings, training, and outreach activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in program coordination, communications, community outreach, volunteer services, fundraising, public relations, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating programs, events, or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders such as staff, volunteers, community partners, or donors.
• Experience organizing, prioritizing, and managing multiple projects or program activities simultaneously.

Bonus points if you have:

• Experience administering volunteer services, fundraising initiatives, or community outreach programs.
• Experience coordinating employee engagement activities or large-scale events.
• Experience developing communications materials such as newsletters, social media content, or promotional materials.
• Experience managing digital communication platforms such as SharePoint, websites, social media accounts, or digital signage systems (e.g., MagicInfo).
• Experience working in government, healthcare, nonprofit, or behavioral health environments.
• Training or coursework in communications, marketing, nonprofit management, public administration, business administration, or a related field.
• Experience using Microsoft Office 365 applications (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint) or similar platforms.

 

What do we offer:

We offer an array of benefits to help you take care of you and your family:

• Health, vision and dental; multiple plan choices!
• Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• 13 paid holidays.
• Paid time off to include sick leave, family personal leave, annual leave, parental leave and more!
• Life and long-term care insurance.
• Retirement and savings to include - membership in the Virginia Retirement System (401(a) defined benefit plan) and the commonwealth’s deferred compensation plan.
• Short-term and long-term disability benefits.
• Employee assistance program, wellness, employee discounts and so much more!
• Career advancement opportunities.

 Person Centered. Community Based

SEVTC’s mission is to provide quality, person-centered services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in partnership with a community-based system of supports.

We envision SEVTC as a center of excellence providing specialized supports that enable successful community living for individuals with intellectual, developmental and behavioral challenges across the state of Virginia.

Our values reflect an environment where: individuals lead self-determined lives that focus on empowerment, dignity and respect, employees are valued and appreciated as out most import asset, individuals and employees live, work and play in an environment that is safe and free from harm, collaboration with DBHDS, community partners, and family members is welcomed and fostered, and resources are utilized in a thoughtful and efficient manner.

 Special Instructions

You will be provided with confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé are submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Application Requirements: Applications and résumés for this position are accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System only. Interview decisions will be based solely on the information provided in your electronic application and/or résumé. Please ensure you detail all relevant work experience clearly and specifically; we will not make assumptions about your qualifications. You will receive confirmation of receipt once your application and/or résumé have been successfully submitted. To check the status of your application, refer to “Your Application” in your account.

Applications/résumés will begin to be reviewed within five (5) days of the posting date.

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code §§ 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers' individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at sarita.jordan@dbhds.virginia.gov during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We highly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply and respond accordingly on the state application.

 Contact Information

Name: Sarita Jordan

Phone: (757) 424-8545

Email: sarita.jordan@dbhds.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.