Community Affairs Specialist I (Community Coordinator) - Community Collaboration

University of Illinois Chicago•Chicago, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

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 requires the ability to travel between community centers and other sites in North Lawndale, using a personal vehicle, public transportation, or ride-sharing.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, public health, or an equivalent major.
Ability to travel between community centers and other sites in North Lawndale using a personal vehicle, public transportation, or ride-sharing.
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 Chicago.
Experience developing community outreach and/or programming within a higher education organization.
Understanding of community-engaged research principles.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or Office365.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to navigate systems and communicate successfully with faculty, staff, and administrators at all levels of the University.
Ability to make lasting connections with neighborhood organizations and community-focused groups of all sizes and diverse constituencies.
Ability to establish a communicative role between a campus and/or its major components and the surrounding community.
Ability to work independently and navigate constraints caused by multiple competing priorities.

Responsibilities

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.
Maintain an active presence within the North Lawndale community and participate in neighborhood networks, coalitions, working groups, meetings, and events aligned with the Office of Community Collaboration’s goals and objectives.
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.
Manage and maintain accurate information and data related to UIC programs, services, partnerships, and activities delivered through the Neighborhood Center and other community settings.
Use 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.
Support the Assistant Director of Community Collaboration in planning and implementing projects, community engagement initiatives, and collaborative activities that respond to community priorities and expand access to UIC resources, programs, and services.
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 reach neighborhood residents, organizations, and other community stakeholders.
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.