Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator

Job Title: Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator

Reports To: Branch Director

Status: Non-Exempt, Salaried, full-time (1.0 FTE)
Work Location: 100% In-Person,  Menomonee Valley

Weekly Schedule: Tuesday to Saturday

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Position Summary: As the Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator, you will promote the mission and activities of the Urban Ecology Center for the community. The Neighborhood Engagement Team strives to create long-lasting and meaningful relationships with neighborhood and community partners through events and initiatives that are safe, equitable, and welcoming for our communities to connect with nature and each other. A primary focus of your role is deepening community relationships to build neighborhood connections within and around the Urban Ecology Center. You will also support the on-site visitor experience.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Resource Navigation

• Connect community members with cross-departmental engagement opportunities of interest to them, including volunteer opportunities, community programs, and educational opportunities.
• Direct community members to resources, opportunities, and experiences available at other local nonprofits, businesses, and organizations aligned with the mission/vision/goals of the UEC. 
• Provide support for the neighborhood experience by serving as a resource for information about public-facing opportunities at the center.

Outreach Coordination and Event Planning

• Coordinate and attend outreach opportunities in the nearby community to enhance partnerships and increase visitor traffic.
• Coordinate and participate in efforts to engage people in the neighborhoods we serve through our programs, offerings, and community center.
• Foster partnerships and relationships with local businesses, organizations, government officials and agencies, and community members by attending meetings, co-hosting events, or participating in community initiatives.
• Coordinate and plan community-specific events with the Branch Director and Community Programs Manager.
• Identify the key elements in designing and managing an ongoing relational organizing program. Apply relational organizing tactics to supplement the UEC marketing and communications efforts, driving engagement in UEC programming.
• Prepare key community members to assess, engage, and mobilize their networks.
• Collaborate in building affinity groups, pursue UEC strategic outcomes through relationships and social pressure, and impact individual behavior.

Center Hospitality

• You will support a welcoming experience by engaging visitors to meet their needs, interests, or curiosity about the Center and advance the Center's mission. 

• Staff the building during some of the center's open-to-the-public hours; serve as on-site staff support for all open-to-the-public events during the center's Saturday open hours.
• Support the Branch team in creating a welcoming experience by engaging visitors to meet their needs, interests, or curiosity about the Center and advance the Center's mission. 
• Support the staffing schedule at the center’s reception desk, answering phones, and welcoming visitors as needed.
• Collaborate with the Branch Operations Coordinator and Branch Director on the activation of the UEC space as a community center through outreach efforts through Information gathered through community surveys and outreach.

TEAM AND SUPERVISION

• As a member of the Neighborhood Engagement team, you will be managed by the Branch Director at the Menomonee Valley Branch.
• Though all of our teams work together in some capacity, you will most frequently collaborate with Neighborhood Engagement Coordinators at other branches, your local Branch team, Green Career Pathways, the Animal Care Specialist, Community Programs, Volunteer Programs, and the Facilities team.
• In this role, you may have the opportunity to join UEC staff committees, circles, and learning groups as your schedule and interests allow.
• All UEC team members should expect interaction with volunteers, members, and youth participants.

ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT

• All team members of the Urban Ecology Center work a minimum of 1-2 weekend or evening events each year. Our events are a great way to engage with our communities and see our mission in action; examples include Urban Candlelight Hike, Autumn Celebration, and HKE MKE. Some roles may have increased responsibility for event leadership.
• All team members are asked to support our building hours by providing building coverage, which may include opening/closing the building, communicating with staff on-site, and welcoming visitors or guests. You may sign up for an ongoing shift or provide backup support.

OUR EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE

• We nurture an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative workplace culture. Many of our staff serve on cross-departmental committees for internal and external events, employee engagement, our equity, dignity, and justice (EDJ) focus, and safety initiatives, to name a few.
• We host a 2-day all-staff retreat each fall, with quarterly all-staff meetings, regular department meetings, and ongoing communication in between. We make frequent use of Slack and utilize the Google platform for email and cloud computing.
• UEC staff work on-site a minimum of twice per week at one of our 3 branches, though many choose to work in person more frequently. Several of our roles do not have remote capabilities by the nature of their responsibilities.
• UEC staff are invited to attend all events at a low or no cost. Children of staff members attend programming, including summer camps, at reduced rates.
• Full-time staff at the Urban Ecology Center are offered very competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance rates, a 3% 403(b) matching contribution, 24 days of PTO in year 1 (29 in year 2), 4 additional paid holidays, event & program admission or discounts, and other great benefits.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

Skills and Abilities

• Bilingual in Spanish/English is required (professional working proficiency, at minimum)
• Collaboration: You have a strong ability to collaborate and share responsibilities with peers while guiding organizational processes.
• Relationship Development: you can identify and initiate working relationships and to develop and maintain them in a way that is of mutual benefit to both yourself and others.
• Event/Project Management: you can turn ideas into action by creating a plan, setting priorities and deadlines, and holding others accountable. You are a critical thinker and problem solver.
• Growth Mindset: You have a demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and incorporating feedback; you are optimistic about future opportunities. 
• Conflict Management: you can navigate interpersonal challenges with a high degree of empathy and a commitment to resolution.
• Adaptability: Ability to both function independently and collaborate well with others; Ability to assess and react to changing priorities and adjust workflow accordingly. You are motivated through change and by new opportunities.
• Effective Communicator: you can articulate thoughts and express ideas effectively using oral, written, visual, and non-verbal communication skills, as well as listening skills to gain understanding. You have the ability to deliver information in person, in writing, and the digital world.
• Knowledge of the Menomonee Valley Branch’s surrounding neighborhood and community assets is recommended; strong community connections are preferred.
• Basic understanding of outdoor recreation equipment (bikes, kayaks, etc).
• Proficiency in utilizing the Google Suite is preferred.
• Strong cultural competency and commitment to equity, dignity, and justice.
• Affinity to the Urban Ecology Center's mission, vision, and values.

Experience, Education, and Certifications

• Two or more years of relevant post-secondary education or work experience is required.
• You have experience working in customer service or a public-facing role. 
• At least one year of community organizing experience is preferred.
• At least two years of experience working in a community-serving organization or relevant non-profit is preferred.
• Experience working on a team is required; working with or leading volunteers is preferred.
• Experience utilizing a CRM (customer relationship management software) is preferred.
• First Aid/CPR Certification is required; UEC can assist in attainment.
• The ability to drive a UEC vehicle is preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS, LOCATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Schedule: Your schedule will follow our public open hours with regular evening and weekend events; this role works a Tuesday to Saturday schedule.
• Condition & Location: Open office workspace with an active team atmosphere. You will have an assigned, potentially shared, workspace at your branch.
• Physical Requirements: Sitting for prolonged periods, typing on a computer keyboard, Lifting and carrying kayaks, bikes, and other outdoor adventure equipment as necessary, up to 50 pounds with or without accommodation.
• Equipment Used: Computer equipment, CRM software, Google software, copy/fax machine, printer, outdoor adventure equipment.

The Urban Ecology Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to make all personnel decisions without discriminating on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national or ethnic origin, and any other protected status.