Community and Outreach Specialist

Access•Dearborn, MI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Under direct supervision, the Community and Outreach Specialist will oversee all local civic engagement programming and will lead efforts to educate, activate, and empower community members to participate in local government, public programs, and civic life. The role blends relationship-building with key stakeholders, public communication, event coordination, data management, and strategic outreach to ensure civic engagement goals are met. This position focuses on underrepresented groups to ensure they have access to information, resources, and opportunities to engage with our community of interests.

Requirements

Awareness and sensitivity to the specific needs of the population being served
Knowledge of social media, digital communication, and promoting public awareness campaigns
Knowledge of developing, running, and evaluating outreach programs
Knowledge of presenting information to community groups, stakeholders, and the public
Knowledge of recruiting, training, and managing volunteers
Knowledge of VAN and voter databases, and digital election tools
Skill in public speaking
Skill in creating, planning, and implementing strategies to engage the public and build partnerships
Skill in conflict resolution, cultural competence, and proficiency in outreach strategies
Exceptional verbal and written communication
Skill in representing the organization at events, fostering partnerships, and advocating for community needs
Skill in translating complex organizational information into easy-to-understand language for the public
Proficiency in multilingual communication; Arabic preferred
Skill in operating standard office equipment and using required software applications for program area and other applications, including Microsoft Office
Ability to build trust, rapport, and maintain professional relationships with diverse community members, stakeholders, and organization staff
Ability to manage disputes and handle challenging or sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy
Ability to understand local community needs, demographics, and cultural norms to effectively connect with specialized, underserved, or diverse populations
Ability to perform detail-oriented management of multiple projects, community events, and outreach schedules
Ability to establish trust rapidly, connect with diverse stakeholders, and manage partnerships
Ability to identify community needs and bridge gaps with available services
Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Communications, Sociology, or a related field
2 years of experience organizing communications or community building
Proficient in voter databases such as VAN, Getthru, Thrutext and other voter engagement tools
Any equivalent combination of experience, education and/or training approved by Human Resources

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive field strategy for voter education, registration, and turnout
Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders: residents, neighborhood groups, nonprofits, faith organizations, and civic leaders to increase awareness of public programs and engagement opportunities
Develop and deliver workshops, presentations, and materials that help residents understand local government processes, voting, public meetings, and available services
Plan and maintain election protection programming for all local elections across our community of interest
Plan and execute large-scale community events, town halls, listening sessions, and engagement activities in our community of interest
Create accessible outreach materials, including newsletters, social media content, flyers, and digital campaigns tailored to community needs
Manage voter-engagement platforms including VAN, GetThru, ThruText, and related tools and provide support for NNAAC member organizations
Track engagement metrics, analyze participation trends, and prepare reports to guide outreach strategies and measure impact
Recruit, retain volunteers, and develop a volunteer pipeline
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned