North Carolina Central University Blog

Effective community outreach can yield many positive outcomes. It can unify people in support of a specific cause. It can lift marginalized and vulnerable communities out of unfortunate situations and improve their well-being. It can bring about long-term improvements in a community that will benefit all of its residents. 

These outcomes are worthwhile and important, but achieving them requires dedicated professionals willing to see projects through from start to finish. Without them, community outreach efforts may never become fully realized.

A community outreach coordinator can be the key individual who leads these efforts, ensuring that outreach projects of all types effectively achieve their intended goals. Individuals interested in pursuing this role, and perhaps a bachelor’s in public health education degree, may want to learn what the job entails as well as the steps typically taken to prepare for it.

Community Outreach Coordinator Role at a Glance

Community outreach coordinators develop and maintain programs and initiatives intended to benefit a community and its residents. They breathe life into beneficial ideas and shape them into real-world plans. Their work starts with identifying a community need through data collection and analysis, then continues by working with various community groups and organizations to develop goal-oriented strategies that aim to meet that need.

Properly executing these strategies commonly requires the community outreach coordinator to handle a host of tasks. These include:

• Guiding and directing resources and people in carrying out the program

• Maintaining the program’s budget 

• Creating targeted marketing campaigns regarding the program 

• Developing public relations strategies and promotional materials 

• Acting as the public face of the program, presenting it at various public events and community gathering hubs

While coordinating programs is a community outreach coordinator’s responsibility, it’s not their main goal. Their primary objective is to use these programs to improve the community. They could be working toward general improvements or focused on a specific aspect of community life. 

For example, efforts to improve equality within a community may focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. To improve the physical well-being of residents, the community outreach coordinator may build a community health program to promote healthy eating.

Community outreach coordinators work in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Their common work environments include company offices, clinics, and government agencies. The type of community outreach they focus on can dictate the type of programs they may develop.

How to Become a Community Outreach Coordinator

The first step toward becoming a community outreach coordinator is to meet the role’s educational benchmark. A bachelor’s degree is typically required to pursue the role, with a degree associated with social services, such as a public health degree, sometimes preferred. By earning a relevant degree, individuals can gain the foundational knowledge and skills that can support their career as it flourishes, including managerial, analytical, and communication skills.

The next step is to gain experience. Community outreach coordinator roles commonly require several years of experience, which can be obtained through other roles in social services or public health agencies or organizations. Meeting the experience requirement is particularly important because it can help individuals become familiar with some of the needs of the community, which could make it easier for them to build more concrete, effective strategies.

Community Outreach Coordinator Salary and Job Outlook

According to 2023 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for social and community service managers — including community outreach coordinators — is $77,030. Several factors can determine an individual’s actual salary, such as their education level and years of experience. The job’s location also can come into play, as someone working in a city or region with a high cost of living may earn a higher salary than someone working in an area with a low cost of living.

The job outlook for community outreach coordinators is strong. The BLS projects jobs for social and community service managers will grow 8% from 2023 to 2033. This is double the average growth rate the BLS projects for all professions.

Prepare to Be a Difference-Maker 

The work of a community outreach coordinator can have a positive impact at both the community and individual levels. A successful program or initiative can make a significant difference in a person’s life. The ability to improve the well-being of others makes this role a particularly rewarding one.

North Carolina Central University Online’s Bachelor of Science in Public Health Education program can help you gain the knowledge and skills needed to successfully meet the moment by helping others. Our program’s service-oriented curriculum can guide you through the intricacies of public health, helping you develop a solid understanding of how to build programs that support and encourage community health and wellness.

Learn how NCCU Online can help you prepare to flourish in this critical role.

Recommended Readings

What Is a Wellness Coordinator?

What Is CHES Certification?

What Is Community Health?

Sources:

Indeed, “Outreach Coordinator Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications”

Indeed, “What Is an Outreach Coordinator? (Duties and Requirements)”

Positive Solutions Behavior Group, “The Power of Giving Back: Importance of Community Outreach”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social and Community Service Managers

ZipRecruiter, What Is a Community Outreach Coordinator and How to Become One