Job Description

Community Affairs Specialist I (Community Coordinator) - Community Collaboration

Hiring Department: Community Collaboration

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1043260

FTE: 1

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Shift: Days

# of Positions: 1

Workplace Type: On-Site

Salary Range (commensurate with experience): $30.24 - 32.73 / Hourly Wage

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The Community Coordinator coordinates and supports place-based programs, partnerships, and engagement activities at the UIC Neighborhood Center serving North Lawndale. The role serves as a liaison between UIC and community stakeholders, including neighborhood organizations, schools, service providers, and residents, to identify priorities and connect them with relevant UIC resources, programs, and services. The position maintains knowledge of community needs, resources, events, and developments; communicates relevant information to UIC partners; and participates in community networks and collaborative initiatives. Working with the Assistant Director of Community Collaboration, the Coordinator engages UIC faculty, staff, students, alumni, and units to develop responsive programming, coordinate community engagement activities, maintain program data, support resource mapping, and strengthen long-term relationships between UIC and the North Lawndale community. The position will require the ability to travel (whether via personal vehicle, public transportation or ride-sharing) between community centers and other sites in North Lawndale.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Community Engagement, Partnership Development & Program Coordination

• Serve as a liaison between UIC and neighborhood stakeholders to coordinate and support programmatic activities at the UIC North Lawndale Neighborhood Center and in other community settings.
• Oversee logistics, scheduling, and regular functioning of the North Lawndale neighborhood Center.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with community residents, neighborhood schools, community-based organizations, local service providers, civic and cultural organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Engage UIC colleges, departments, programs, faculty, staff, students, and alumni in identifying and coordinating opportunities for community engagement, programming, and services.

Community Presence & Network Participation

• Maintain an active presence within the North Lawndale community and participate in neighborhood networks, coalitions, working groups, meetings, and events that align with the goals and objectives of the Office of Community Collaboration.
• Monitor neighborhood developments, community priorities, events, initiatives, and emerging opportunities, and provide timely information and updates to the Assistant Director of Community Collaboration and relevant UIC partners.

Program Data, Resource Coordination & Reporting

• Manage and maintain accurate information and data related to UIC programs, services, partnerships, and activities delivered through the Neighborhood Center and other community settings.
• Utilize internal resource-mapping and program-tracking systems to identify, coordinate, and connect relevant UIC resources with community needs and opportunities.
• Support documentation, reporting, and evaluation activities related to community engagement efforts.

Community Initiatives & Special Projects

• Support the Assistant Director of Community Collaboration in planning and implementing innovative projects, community engagement initiatives, and collaborative activities that respond to identified community priorities and expand access to UIC resources, programs, and services.

Outreach, Communications & Awareness

• Promote awareness of UIC programs, services, educational opportunities, and resources available through the Neighborhood Center and broader UIC community.
• Develop and support outreach activities and communications that effectively reach neighborhood residents, organizations, and other community stakeholders.

Other Duties & Special Projects

• Perform other related duties and participate in special projects, events, and initiatives as assigned in support of the Office of Community Collaboration and its community engagement objectives.

Minimum Qualifications Required:

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Three (3) years (36 months) of work experience in public contact with an agency or organization that is oriented toward community activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, public health, or equivalent major preferred.
• Ability to travel (whether via personal vehicle, public transportation or ride-sharing) between community centers and other sites in North Lawndale.
• Familiarity with the administrative and organizational structure of the campus and/or its major components.
• Familiarity with community personnel, programs, organizations, resources, and issues of public concern in the city of Chicago.
• Experience with developing community outreach and/or programming within a higher education organization.
• Understanding of Community-engaged research principles is desired.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or Office365 strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication skills—written and verbal—highly desirable.
• Ability to navigate systems and communicate successfully with faculty, staff and administrators at all levels of the University strongly preferred.
• Ability to make lasting connections with neighborhood organizations and community-focused groups of all sizes and diverse constituencies strongly desired.
• The ability to establish a communicative role between a campus and/or its major components and the surrounding community.
• Ability to work independently, and navigate within constraints caused by multiple competing priorities desired.

To Apply: For fullest consideration click on the Apply Now button, please fully complete all sections of the online application including adding your full work history with specific details of your duties & responsibilities for each position held. Fully complete the education, licensure, certification and language sections. You may upload a resume, cover letter, certifications, licensures, transcripts and diplomas within the application.

Please note that once you have submitted your application you will not be able to make any changes. In order to revise your application you must withdraw and reapply. You will not be able to reapply after the posting close date. Please ensure the application is fully completed and all supporting documents have been uploaded before the posting close date. Illinois Residency is required within 180 days of employment.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.