Community Connector (Part-Time)

Position Summary

Brown County United Way (BCUW) is seeking a part-time Community Connector to support students participating in two programs in partnership with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC).

The first, Pathways to Thrive @NWTC, is a pilot program designed to help students—particularly those experiencing financial and other barriers—successfully complete their education, pursue sustainable employment, and build greater financial stability. The second is Ride United, which provides transportation assistance to eligible students participating in NWTC's TRIO program.

The Community Connector will serve as a trusted and consistent point of contact for participating students, helping them identify goals, navigate challenges, access campus and community resources, and make measurable progress toward educational and financial stability.

The position will also coordinate transportation assistance through Ride United and serve as a liaison between NWTC's TRIO program and BCUW.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong relationship-building skills, proactive problem-solving, sound judgment, and the ability to support students with empathy while maintaining clear expectations, professional boundaries, and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

Pathways to Thrive @NWTC – Student Engagement and Resource Navigation

• Build trusting relationships with participating students and maintain regular, proactive engagement throughout their involvement in the program.
• Work collaboratively with students to identify barriers to educational success and financial stability, including transportation, childcare, housing, food, finances, healthcare, and technology.
• Support students in establishing individualized goals, identifying measurable milestones, and developing practical action plans.
• Connect students to appropriate NWTC and community resources through warm referrals, track referral outcomes, and follow up to identify and resolve barriers to accessing services.
• Help students navigate challenges, problem-solve, and build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to independently access resources over time.
• Monitor participant progress toward established goals, conduct regular check-ins, and proactively engage students who may be experiencing difficulties or disengaging from the program.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of participant interactions, goals, referrals, progress, and outcomes in the program's data system.
• Independently manage routine participant support and resource navigation, collaborating with the BCUW Community Resource Navigator to address complex needs, troubleshoot unresolved barriers, and determine appropriate next steps.

• Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and appropriate handling of sensitive participant information.
  
  

  Ride United – Transportation Assistance

• Serve as the primary point of contact for Ride United transportation assistance requests from eligible NWTC TRIO students.
• Coordinate transportation assistance in accordance with established program guidelines, including reviewing requests, facilitating transportation arrangements, and troubleshooting service-related issues.

• Maintain accurate records of transportation assistance provided, monitor program utilization, and provide regular updates and reports to the BCUW Community Resource Navigator.

  Other Responsibilities

• Participate in relevant program meetings, training sessions, and coordination activities with BCUW and NWTC staff.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

  Required Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusting, respectful relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong listening, verbal and written communication, and practical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to engage individuals using a compassionate, nonjudgmental, and strengths-based approach.
• Strong organizational, time-management, documentation, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively with colleagues and community partners.
• Ability to help individuals navigate complex systems and connect with appropriate community resources.
• Basic proficiency with technology, including digital communication and data-tracking systems.

• Ability to follow established procedures, exercise sound judgment, and recognize when additional guidance or support is needed.

  Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in resource navigation, social services, higher education, workforce development, community outreach, coaching, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating services or working collaboratively across organizations or service systems.
• Familiarity with Brown County community resources and/or lived experience navigating educational, workforce, or support systems.
• Fluency in a language other than English, particularly Spanish, Somali, or Hmong, is an advantage.