Civic Engagement Services Manager

Milwaukee Public Library; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

The Milwaukee Public Library is seeking a Civic Engagement Manager to spearhead the One MKE Initiative and oversee Civic Hubs, enhancing community involvement. This role requires a strong background in program development and civic engagement, alongside a commitment to fostering diversity and accessibility. Candidates will collaborate with city departments and community organizations to enrich civic knowledge and participation throughout Milwaukee.

Benefits

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree related to public engagement.
• Three years of experience in community outreach, program development, or civic engagement.
• Valid driver's license and the use of an insured vehicle are required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the One MKE Initiative and manage Civic Hubs.
• Develop multilingual civic resources and oversee Civic Hub operations.
• Establish partnerships to enhance civic engagement initiatives.

Skills

Community outreach

Program development

Civic engagement

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, mass communication, public administration, political science, or a related degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM CIVIL SERVICE

Appointment and continued employment are at thepleasure of the Milwaukee Public Library Director.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverseworkforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’sresidents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team ofpublic servants, please consider the following opportunity.

Purpose

The Civic Engagement Manager will lead the implementation ofthe One MKE Initiative and the planning,design, and implementation of the library's Civic Hubs, which are dedicated,public-facing spaces that serve as access points for civic information,resources, and engagement opportunities.

Essential Functions

Program Development and Coordination

• Act as primary liaison for City departments, community agencies,and MPL locations for the One MKE project.
• Plan, design, and implement the library's Civic Hubs.
• Work closely with the One MKE outreach team to coordinateactivities and provide updates for MPL and the City.
• Organize youth-focused activities such as mock elections andcommunity issue debates to engage middle and high school students.

Resource Creation and Management

• Develop and maintain multilingual, accessible guides oncivic topics, ensuring materials are current and relevant.
• Oversee the setup and upkeep of Civic Hubs in each branch,ensuring they are welcoming and informative spaces.

Partnership and Collaboration

• Establish and nurture relationships with local governmentdepartments, educational institutions, and community organizations to supportand expand civic engagement efforts.
• Organize and facilitate workshops, seminars, and events thatpromote civic knowledge and participation.
• Coordinate joint events and programs that addresscommunity-specific civic issues.
• Serve as MPL's representative in city-wide civic initiativesand collaborate with national networks to share best practices.

Staff Training and Support

• Provide training for library staff to effectively facilitatecivic programs and assist patrons with civic-related inquiries.
• Develop resources and toolkits to empower staff in promotingcivic engagement within their branches.
• Oversee the work of the Temporary Community EducationAssistant.

Evaluation and Reporting

• Monitor and assess the impact of civic engagement programs,collecting data on participation and community feedback.
• Prepare regular reports detailing progress, challenges, andrecommendations for future initiatives.

We welcome qualified individualswith disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonableaccommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans withDisabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with DisabilitiesAct Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

Conditions of Employment

• As this is a grant-funded position, the role and jobfunctions are subject to grant funding availability and grant guidelines. Thisposition is funded through March 2026.
• Work some evening and weekend hours, depending upon theproject.
• Travel to various sites throughout the City of Milwaukee.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, mass communication, publicadministration, political science, or a related degree.
• Three years of experience in community outreach, programdevelopment, or civic engagement.
• Valid driver's license at the time of appointment andthroughout employment.
• Use of a properly insured vehicle for us on the job;mileagereimbursement is provided pursuant to Section 350-183 of the Milwaukee Code.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may alsobe considered.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics

Technical

• Ability to learn and explain general city services anddepartmental objectives.
• Knowledge of social media platforms, strategies, bestpractices and the associated use of analytics.
• Knowledge of customer service best practices.
• Knowledge of the voter registration and absentee votingprocess.
• Ability to effectively utilize internal electronic files anddatabases, reporting tools and the Microsoft Office suite.
• Knowledge of professional marketing techniques andpractices, visual design principles and public relations best practice.
• Knowledge of local government structures and civic processes.

Communication & Interpersonal

• Written communications skills to create clear and concisebusiness communications such as reports, social media posts, and procedures.
• Verbal communication skills ensure the accuracy ofinformation conveyed and to explain complex concepts to individuals withvarying degrees of understanding.
• Skill in presenting information effectively.
• Ability to work effectively with multi-level staff,residents, and community group members from all socioeconomic, educational,literacy, and cultural backgrounds.
• Community outreach skills to build relationships withcommunity partners.

Professionalism

• Ability to read and interpret a wide variety of job-relateddocuments.
• Honesty, integrity, ability to maintain confidentiality, andresponsible stewardship of City resources.
• Creative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively resolve problems and recommend preventativeaction.
• Strong collaboration skills; ability to work effectively aspart of a team or individually with diverse staff, and community partners.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including ability to manage schedules, prioritize, and meet short-term and long-term goals and deadlines.

The current salary range (Pay Range 1GX) is $85,086 -$98,703 annually, and the residency incentive salary for City of Milwaukeeresidents is $87,639 - $101,664 annually.

• The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefitsprogram that includes the following:
• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Defined Benefit PensionPlan

Screening for this position will be based on an evaluationof each applicant’s education, experience, and professional accomplishments,which should be detailed in a cover letter and resume.

• Questions relative to the selection process may be directedto: Danielle Wrobleski, Human Resources Representative, MPL Human Resources at:[e-mail] .

The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only themost qualified applicants to participate in the selection process.

INITIAL FILING DATE:The selection process will beconducted as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt ofapplication materials may be discontinued at any time after this date withoutprior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the city's needs havebeen met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of theselection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

Conclusion

EEO 102

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and isan equal opportunity employer.