Community Engagement Liaison

About the role

The City of Urbana is seeking a Community Engagement Liaison to serve as a trusted liaison between Urbana residents, particularly those from underserved and marginalized communities, and City resources, community organizations, and violence prevention initiatives. This non-sworn, civilian position combines proactive community engagement with targeted conflict mediation and violence interruption strategies.

Responsibilities

• Builds and maintains strong relationships with residents, neighborhood leaders, schools, faith-based groups, and local organizations.
• Conducts proactive outreach to individuals and communities at elevated risk of violence.
• Works with residents and community members to identify and mediate conflicts to prevent escalation and retaliation.
• Provides trauma-informed support and maintains consistent engagement with members of at-risk populations.
• Connects residents to community resources including mental health, employment, education, housing, and victim services.
• Develops and facilitates workshops, events, and outreach initiatives focused on safety, wellness, and civic engagement.
• Documents outreach, mediations, and referrals in accordance with City and department requirements and established procedures.
• Affords assistance in developing and maintaining the Urbana Police Department's community engagement programs, particularly those focused on outreach to at-risk populations in the community.
• Affords assistance in representing the City of Urbana, as assigned, through networking and participation in a variety of meetings, public forums and social and civic functions with elected officials, external agencies, and community, neighborhood and business organizations.
• Creates, cultivates, and deepens strategic partnerships with key community members and groups.
• Attends meetings, seminars and forums of interest to keep informed of changing trends or legislative initiatives.
• Maintains a database of community contacts.
• Affords assistance in researching, writing, and designing internal and external communication such as press releases and annual reports for the public.
• Maintains strict confidentiality when in contact with or working with sensitive information requiring considerable use of tact, discretion, and judgment.
• Gathers community feedback and provides recommendations to support equitable policies and resource allocation.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• At least five (5) years of professional experience developing, facilitating, and/or supporting targeted community engagement efforts, violence prevention, community outreach, advocacy, social services, or similar work in a closely related field which provides an understanding of human relations issues, programs, and problems; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with individuals of varied backgrounds, (e.g., ethnic, cultural, racial, and socioeconomic).
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with underserved or at-risk populations.
• Must possess a valid State of Illinois Class D driver's license within 15 days of employment and maintain a safe driving record.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the needs of the various socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of the community.
• Trauma-informed care.
• Conflict resolution and de-escalation skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

Benefits

The City of Urbana provides a robust benefits package that includes:

• Health insurance through Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois, including a no-cost premium option for employees.
• Dental insurance options through Delta Dental Vision.
• Voluntary Life, Short/Long-term Disability, Accident, and Critical Illness insurance options.
• Flexible Spending Plan option.
• Paid holidays.
• Generous vacation and unlimited sick leave accruals.

Pay

The starting annual salary for this position is $72,470.0392 - $94,211.0510 annually ($34.8413/hr. - $45.2937/hr.).

Schedule

This is a limited-term position with an anticipated duration of three (3) years, dependent upon continued funding.