Police Community Engagement Specialist

City of Appleton; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Appleton is seeking a full-time Community Engagement Specialist to strengthen ties between the Appleton Police Department (APD) and the community through strategic communication and outreach programming. You will report to the Community Resource Unit Captain and serve as a bridge among the department, civic groups, neighborhoods, and partner organizations to promote transparency and trust.

You’ll work on engagement initiatives, manage social media content, support news conferences,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public administration, or a related field.
• Preferred experience in community engagement or communications.
• Understanding of public, media, and community relations principles.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational ability, time-management, and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Knowledge of computer programs and AV/photography editing tools.

Responsibilities

• Build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with schools, nonprofits, businesses, and community groups.
• Coordinate and attend outreach events, meetings, and engagement initiatives.
• Lead Neighborhood Watch/Neighborhoods program and volunteer program.
• Facilitate community meetings to exchange information and build trust.
• Communicate APD initiatives and events clearly to the public.
• Respond to inquiries via email, website, and phone with consistency.
• Assist in planning news conferences, media events, and critical-incident communication.
• Maintain website content and ensure ADA-compliant messaging.
• Track engagement metrics and feedback trends.
• Contribute to social media content reflecting APD priorities.
• Capture photos/videos to support digital storytelling and department visibility.
• Coordinate community programs and seasonal campaigns with staff.
• Support special projects, surveys, and grant-related outreach.

Skills

Community engagement

Public relations

Communication

Organizational skills

Confidentiality

Photo/Video editing basics

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, public administration, or related field

Job description

Come join the City of Appleton and make an impact today! Each day you'll have the opportunity to improve the community and make a difference in someone's day. At the City, you'll have a chance to grow through ongoing training, work alongside awesome coworkers and leaders, share your thoughts and ideas, and be respected for who you are. Best of all, you'll have work-life balance to share more time with those you love. Come join the City and make an impact!

The City of Appleton is seeking a full-time Community Engagement Specialist. The Police Community Engagement Specialist strengthens relationships between the Appleton Police Department (APD) and the community through strategic communication, and outreach programming. This role enhances APD's service delivery by promoting transparency, building trust, and ensuring the public is engaged with department initiatives, operations, and events. Working under the general supervision of the Community Resource Unit Captain, this role functions as a bridge between the department, civic groups, neighborhoods, partner organizations, and the broader Appleton community.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with schools, nonprofits, businesses, neighborhood groups, civic organizations, volunteers, and Community Advisory Board members.
• Coordinate, support, and attend APD outreach events, community meetings, specialty program activities, and engagement initiatives, including evenings and weekends as required.
• Lead and manage APD's Neighborhood Watch/Neighborhoods program and volunteer program.
• Conduct and facilitate community, civic, and group meetings to exchange information, gather feedback, and build trust.
• Support communication to the community keeping them informed about APD operations, initiatives, and events through timely, accurate, and positive communication.
• Respond to community inquiries across email, website, and phone, ensuring consistent and transparent communication.
• Participate in the coordination of news conferences, media events, and critical-incident communication.
• Manage and update website content and ensure digital messaging aligns with APD policy, brand standards and ADA compliance.
• Track engagement metrics, community feedback trends, and communication effectiveness.
• Participate as a member of the Social Media team to contribute, plan, create social media content that reflects APD priorities, seasonal trends, safety messaging, and community engagement.
• Capture photos and video to support digital storytelling and department visibility.
• Oversee Department participation in community programs such as the Resident Leadership Academy, crime prevention activities, district-level outreach, internal police events and seasonal campaigns.
• Coordinate logistics for community events, including planning, scheduling, staffing needs, communication with partners, and onsite support.
• Support special projects, grant-related outreach, surveys, and emerging community initiatives.
• Work closely across the department with patrol to include patrol briefings, specialty units, district commanders, and other internal units to identify engagement opportunities and community issues.
• Keep command staff updated on emerging community concerns that may affect APD's service delivery or reputation.
• Disseminate departmental information effectively across internal and external audiences.
• Attend weekly command staff meetings and monthly crime council meetings.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Predictable attendance and ability to work additional hours as needed to include nights and weekends.
• Alignment with APD's values of compassion, integrity and courage.

REQUIREMENTS OF WORK

Bachelor's degree in communications, public administration, or a related field or a combination of experience and training which provides the following knowledge, abilities and skills:

• Preferred experience in community engagement or communications
• Understanding of public, media, and community relations principles.
• Ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and effectively with diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational ability, attention to detail, and time-management skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information.
• Knowledge of computer programs and audio/visual equipment, photography skills and photo and video editing tools.
• Ability to build positive public relations and foster trust through communication.
• Ability to work independently, adapt quickly, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to demonstrate a proactive, professional, and consistent public facing presence
• Strong understanding of police operations
• Ability to maintain APD's voice across platforms and interactions.

Competencies

• Communication
• Self-Directed / Autonomous
• Technical Skills
• Problem Solving
• Creative/Innovative