Community Engagement Specialist

Location: Chicago, IL Work Setting: 100% On-site (In-Person) Reports To: Director of Development Salary Range: $40,000-$45,000 annually About Centers for New Horizons Founded in 1971, Centers for New Horizons is a mission-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering children, youth, and families to become self-reliant and thrive. With more than 200 employees, many of whom live in or near the communities they serve, Centers delivers high-quality programs across seven locations throughout the Bronzeville and Riverdale neighborhoods on Chicago’s South Side, reaching more than 1,000 individuals every day. Through education, workforce development, behavioral health, housing, youth development, and supportive services, Centers is committed to strengthening communities, expanding opportunities, and creating measurable, lasting impact for the families it serves. Position Summary The Community Engagement Specialist plays a key role in strengthening Centers for New Horizons’ visibility, relationships, and engagement within the communities we serve. Working in partnership with program teams, development/communications staff, and organizational leadership, this position coordinates community engagement activities, supports outreach and recruitment strategies, develops community partnerships, manages social media engagement, and ensures that community engagement efforts are effectively documented and measured. This position is designed to be community-facing and relationship-driven. The Community Engagement Specialist will spend designated days working from both the Effie Ellis Center and CNH's Altgeld Gardens location, allowing the Specialist to build relationships, understand the distinct needs and assets of each community, and ensure CNH's engagement strategies reflect the families and neighborhoods we serve. The Community Engagement Specialist will help move CNH from simply participating in community activities to implementing a coordinated engagement strategy that builds relationships, increases program participation, strengthens referral networks, and expands CNH's presence and influence within the community. Key Responsibilities: -Community Presence and Relationship Building -Maintain a consistent, visible presence at both the Effie Ellis Center and Altgeld Gardens location. -Develop an understanding of the unique needs, resources, organizations, schools, businesses, and community stakeholders within each service area. -Build authentic relationships with residents, families, community leaders, schools, businesses, faith-based institutions, and community organizations. -Identify emerging community needs, opportunities, and concerns and communicate relevant information to CNH leadership and program teams. -Represent CNH at community meetings, events, resource fairs, school functions, and other external activities. Community Engagement and Event Coordination -Partner with program leads and other CNH staff to plan and execute community events, recruitment activities, resource fairs, workshops, family engagement activities, and other outreach opportunities. -Develop event work plans, timelines, checklists, staffing assignments, registration processes, and logistical requirements. -Gather event information including dates, locations, program details, partner information, logos, photographs, registration information, and promotional needs. -Maintain a centralized calendar of CNH community engagement activities and relevant external community events. -Identify strategic opportunities for CNH to participate in or partner on external events that align with organizational priorities. -Coordinate post-event follow-up, documentation, data collection, and evaluation. Partnership Development and MOUs -Identify and cultivate relationships with schools, community-based organizations, businesses, faith institutions, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and other entities that can support CNH programs and families. -Conduct outreach to prospective partners and coordinate introductory meetings with appropriate CNH leadership and program staff. -Support the development, execution, and tracking of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and other partnership agreements. -Maintain a centralized partnership database that tracks contacts, agreements, referrals, activities, commitments, and relationship status. -Regularly engage existing partners to identify opportunities for referrals, shared programming, events, resources, and expanded collaboration. -Monitor MOU activity to ensure partnerships remain active and mutually beneficial rather than agreements existing only on paper. Recruitment and Outreach Strategy -Work with program teams to understand enrollment goals, eligibility requirements, target populations, and recruitment challenges. -Develop targeted outreach and recruitment strategies based on program goals and community needs. -Identify recruitment gaps and recommend new outreach locations, partnerships, events, and engagement strategies. -Establish referral pipelines with schools and community partners that connect eligible children, youth, and families to CNH services. -Help ensure CNH maintains a consistent presence within the communities and institutions most connected to the populations we seek to serve. Data Tracking and Community Insights -Establish and maintain systems for tracking community engagement activities. -Track metrics including event attendance, participant demographics when appropriate, referrals, inquiries, partner activity, outreach contacts, program leads, and participant feedback. -Work with program teams to determine whether outreach and engagement activities are translating into actual program enrollment and participation. -Prepare regular community engagement reports summarizing activities, outcomes, partnership development, recruitment trends, and emerging community needs. -Use data and community feedback to identify which outreach strategies are effective and recommend improvements. -Maintain accurate documentation necessary for organizational, programmatic, and funder reporting. Social Media and Communications -Manage CNH's day-to-day social media presence in coordination with development/communications staff. -Develop and maintain a social media content calendar highlighting programs, events, partnerships, community activities, impact stories, organizational initiatives, and opportunities for families. -Gather photographs, stories, program updates, testimonials, and other content from CNH teams. -Draft and schedule engaging social media content that reflects CNH's mission, voice, and community presence. -Monitor social media engagement and use performance data to strengthen future content. -Ensure programs, events, and enrollment opportunities are promoted with sufficient lead time. -Maintain organized digital files of photographs, logos, flyers, partner materials, and other communications assets. Internal Coordination -Serve as a liaison across program teams to ensure community engagement activities are coordinated throughout the organization. -Participate in program and organizational planning meetings to remain informed about enrollment priorities, upcoming initiatives, events, and partnership needs. -Develop templates, checklists, calendars, and processes that streamline community engagement and event planning. -Ensure program staff provides necessary event and promotional information in a timely manner. -Collaborate with staff across departments so that community engagement supports CNH's broader organizational strategy. Education and Experience Required Qualifications: -Minimum of 2–3 years of experience in community engagement, outreach, partnership development, event coordination, communications, nonprofit programming, or a related field. -Equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience will be considered. -Demonstrated experience developing relationships with community organizations, schools, businesses, government entities, or other external partners. Preferred Qualifications: -Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Community Development, Social Work, Human Services, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, or a related field preferred. -Experience coordinating community events, outreach campaigns, or recruitment initiatives. -Experience managing organizational social media platforms and developing digital content. -Experience collecting, organizing, and reporting engagement or program data. Why Join Centers for New Horizons? At Centers for New Horizons, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, youth, and families while contributing to programs that create lasting community impact. You'll work alongside dedicated professionals who are passionate about empowering individuals, strengthening neighborhoods, and building pathways to self-sufficiency. Benefits and Perks Centers for New Horizons offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and professional growth, including: -Competitive salary -Medical Insurance -Dental Insurance -Life Insurance -Paid Vacation and Sick Leave -11 Paid Holidays -401(k) with Employer Match -Paid Birthday Off -Student Loan Forgiveness Eligible Employer Equal Opportunity Employer Centers for New Horizons is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status under applicable law.