Community Engagement Coordinator

City-of-Champaign,-I; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 94,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Champaign is seeking a Community Engagement Coordinator in the Champaign Fire Department. This role offers a front-row view of emergency response and public safety, with the chance to craft meaningful content and share the department’s story with the community.

You will develop communication strategies, respond to incidents to gather information, create visual and written content, and represent the department at community events throughout the year, aligning department goals with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, English, public administration or related field.
• Progressively responsible related experience in public administration, public information, public relations, communications, marketing or a related field.
• Professional or volunteer experience with social media content management.
• An equivalent combination of work experience and training that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.
• Current, valid driver’s license.
• Ability to respond to emergencies outside of normal business hours, which can include evenings, weekends, or holidays.
• Public sector or public safety experience.
• Experience developing clear, engaging, and audience-focused content for communication across multiple platforms (e.g. websites, social media, email, public-facing documents).
• Experience preparing news releases and/or public service announcements.
• Experience with media interactions and/or community briefings.
• Experience with coordinating and/or planning community events.
• Experience delivering presentations, trainings, or educational programs to target audiences.

Responsibilities

• Creating and delivering communications that help residents understand Fire Department programs, services, and emergency responses.
• Developing and executing outreach strategies through social media, printed materials, videos, presentations, and public-facing digital content.
• Preparing press releases, public service announcements, and other public communication for routine and emergency situations.
• Managing website and social media updates to keep public information accurate, timely, and accessible.
• Responding to media inquiries and gathering verified information during incidents to support transparent public communications.
• Building relationships with community partners, advisory groups, and residents to strengthen fire/community relations and encourage public participation.
• Monitoring the effectiveness of communication channels and adjusting strategies to improve engagement and reach.
• Preparing presentations, reports, and messaging that support department objectives, City initiatives, and command-level decision‑making.

Skills

Public relations

Content creation

Social media management

Crisis communications

Emergency response readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, English, public administration or related field

Job description

Full Salary Range:$93,786 - $131,292 annually

Starting Salary Range: Most new hires will be placed at or near the beginning of the range, DOQ.

Benefits: Paid vacation, sick, and personal leave; health, dental, vision and life insurance; 11 paid holidays per year; pension under IMRF and more. Visit champaignil.gov/hr/salaries-and-benefits/ and select Non-Bargaining Unit Exempt Full-Time to learn more

Location: Champaign, IL

Work Arrangement: On-site

The City of Champaign is seeking qualified candidates for a career opportunity as a Community Engagement Coordinator in the Champaign Fire Department. This dynamic position offers a front-row view of emergency response and public safety operations, giving you the chance to capture the moments that matter and help share the department’s story with the community. Beyond reporting statistics, you’ll have the creative freedom to craft meaningful content, build deep connections across the city, and see firsthand how your work supports life‑saving services.

The Community Engagement Coordinator’s role adds critical value to the fire department by bridging the gap between first responders and the public through proactive education, transparent crisis communications, and promoting public preparedness.You will become the department’s voice by developing communication strategies, responding to real-time incidents to gather information, creating visual and written content, and representing the department at community events throughout the year. Your work helps ensure our messages are timely, accurate, and reflective of the needs of the community we serve.

You will help shape communication priorities, monitor the effectiveness of outreach channels, and recommend ways to strengthen public engagement. You’ll serve as a connector between City leadership and community stakeholders, ensuring department goals and public needs stay aligned. While most work is conducted during standard business hours, you should expect occasional evening or weekend commitments tied to community events, meetings, and emergency communication needs. General direction is provided by the Fire Chief, with the flexibility for you to determine the most effective tools, methods, and strategies to accomplish your work.

Core Responsibilities Include:

• Creating and delivering communications that help residents understand Fire Department programs, services, and emergency responses.
• Developing and executing outreach strategies through social media, printed materials, videos, presentations, and public-facing digital content.
• Preparing press releases, public service announcements, and other public communication for routine and emergency situations.
• Managing website and social media updates to keep public information accurate, timely, and accessible.
• Responding to media inquiries and gathering verified information during incidents to support transparent public communications.
• Building relationships with community partners, advisory groups, and residents to strengthen fire/community relations and encourage public participation.
• Monitoring the effectiveness of communication channels and adjusting strategies to improve engagement and reach.
• Preparing presentations, reports, and messaging that support department objectives, City initiatives, and command-level decision‑making.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, English, public administration or related field.
• Considerable progressively responsible related experience in public administration, public information, community or public relations, communications, marketing or a related field.
• Professional or volunteer experience with social media content management.
• An equivalent combination of work experience and training that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.
• Current, valid driver’s license.
• Ability to respond to emergencies outside of normal business hours, which can include evenings, weekends, or holidays.

• Public sector or public safety experience.
• Experience developing clear, engaging, and audience‑focused content for communication across multiple platforms (e.g. websites, social media, email, public‑facing documents).

• Experience preparing news releases and/or public service announcements.
• Experience with media interactions and/or community briefings.

• Experience with coordinating and/or planning community events.
• Experience delivering presentations, trainings, or educational programs to target audiences.

Drug screening and criminal background check will be required. A valid Illinois driver’s license is required on Day One because this role involves driving to department events to capture photo and video content, responding to onsite incidents and attending community activities across the city. A City vehicle will be accessible, personal vehicle ownership is not required. Candidates must maintain a driving record meeting City standard.