FSRI - Community Engagement Specialist, South County Academy

The City of Providence providenceri.gov Open · verified Sep 19, 2026

Exeter Full-time Mid-level Community Marketing

Mid-level Community Marketing role at The City of Providence. Exeter · full-time.

Role brief

Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

Build and maintain a current network of employers, volunteer sites, faith groups, libraries, and youth organizations
Arrange safe, regular student access to community locations and handle the related logistics
Turn community relationships into opportunities that build students’ practical independence
Help students stay connected to their home communities during residential placement

What you bring

Have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent education and directly related experience
Bring experience working with adolescents or young adults, with trauma or behavioral health experience preferred
Use medical record, word-processing, and database software effectively
Communicate professionally with outside stakeholders and manage multiple projects with strong organization and detail
Hold a current driver’s license, registration, auto insurance, and dependable transportation

Who this fits

You’ll suit this outward-facing, non-clinical role if you can build community relationships while supporting adolescents with complex needs. You’ll need to travel between the Exeter campus and community sites, work some evenings and weekends, and provide emergency coverage as needed. Spanish is preferred, and the role involves both independent work and teamwork.

From the employer

FSRI is always looking for candidates that want to make a positive impact on the community!

About the Program

South County Academy (SCA), a program of Family Service of Rhode Island and in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), is a residential treatment program upholding RIDE standards located in Exeter, Rhode Island. The Academy serves up to 16 adolescent females, ages 13 to 17, who have experienced trauma and present with complex behavioral health needs. Students live in single-bedroom accommodations and are supported by staff 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our clinical model is grounded in evidence-based practice, including Trauma Systems Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Restorative Practices. On-site academic instruction allows students to continue their education without interruption.

Position Summary: The Community Engagement Specialist (CES) is an outward facing, non-clinical position. Responsible for building and expanding the program’s relationships outside its walls, and for turning those relationships into real opportunities for students. Develops and maintains a working inventory of community partners, including employers, volunteer sites, faith communities, libraries, recreation departments, youth sports and arts organizations, vocational and pre-employment programs, colleges, and local businesses. The Coordinates the logistics of community access so that students leave campus regularly and safely and builds the practical skills students need to navigate a community on their own. Supports the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) principle that a young person’s connection to her own home community must be maintained during placement, not rebuilt at discharge.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, communications, recreation, education, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and directly related experience.
Skilled in operating various medical record software and hardware, word-processing, and database software programs
Experience working with adolescents and young adults required. Experience with youth who have trauma histories or behavioral health needs strongly preferred.
Excellent customer service skills, including the ability to communicate with external stakeholders in a courteous and professional manner.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Self-motivated, resourceful, able to manage multiple projects, and highly attentive to detail.
Spanish Speaking preferred and is compensated
Willingness and capability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends, since community activities frequently occur outside standard business hours.
Excellent multitasking and communication skills necessary
Ability to work independently and part of a team

Physical Requirements: This position requires community visits, employees in this position must have the ability to:

Current driver’s license, reliable transportation, registration, and auto insurance
Ability to communicate effectively
Travel to and from community locations and office site, which could include using walkways, stairs, and/or elevators
Utilize a computer and an electronic medical record to complete documentation.
Ability to lift up to 20lbs
Provide emergency coverage; ratio to the programs as needed

Don’t meet every single requirement? Here at FSRI, we’re dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you’re excited about one of our career opportunities, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be the perfect fit for this or another opportunity!

We offer our employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental and work life benefits.
Only together can we continue to grow and make a difference in our communities.
Join our FAMILY today!

Family Service of RI (FSRI) is a statewide organization with a 130 year track record of improving the health and well-being of children and families. We are passionate about our mission to advance opportunity and hope. FSRI’s diverse and inclusive teams – working across the Health, Healing, Home and Hope divisions, are experts in their fields, delivering strategies to positively impact lives. We provide services statewide, and currently operate in three locations in Providence; and four locations in East Providence, Smithfield and North Smithfield.

Family Service of Rhode Island provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

FSRI determines pay based on a candidate's relevant and transferable experience, certifications, licenses, degree and language ability.