Community Affairs Specialist II (35320)

Position Summary
This position will work out of the Center for Child Welfare and Education (CCWE) DeKalb office at the NIU campus Health Services building. The specialist will support the Permanency Enhancement Project (PEP) by strengthening community engagement efforts to improve permanency outcomes for youth in foster care and reduce disparities affecting children of color.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Provide strategies, planning, facilitation, and development services to create and implement local community PEP action teams

Develop and implement approaches to engage community members and organizations as partners in collaborating to impact community issues

Identify potential community partners and build relationships

Develop mechanisms to assist community members understand PEP issues

Facilitate and support opportunities for community engagement in identifying concerns and executing plans and activities for solutions

Provide opportunities for early involvement and a meaningful voice in identifying community needs and shaping solutions in partnership and in support of other organizations

Use training, one‑to‑one interviews, and small group meetings and other techniques to facilitate engagement in taking initiative to solve community problems

Provide consultation, training and assistance to staff and volunteers on implementing engagement tools

Leverage the use of technology to gain efficiencies and enhance two‑way communication between, and among stakeholders

Maintain records, produce reports and evaluate progress

Review and evaluate engagement goals, mechanisms and activities and make recommendations to improve effectiveness

Maintain accurate records and prepare reports related to program activities

Provide updates on the status of PEP action team, goals, activities and accomplishments

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

High school diploma or equivalent.

Four (4) years (48 months) of work experience in public contact with an agency or organization oriented toward community activities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge of community personnel, programs, organizations, resources, and issues of public concern.

Knowledge of the administrative and organizational structure of the campus and/or its major components.

Ability to establish a communicative role between the campus and/or its major components and the surrounding community.

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

At least five (5) years of community engagement/development experience, and planning and organizing experience.

Knowledge and/or experience of Child Welfare and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is preferred but not required.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to exercise sound independent judgment and decision‑making.

Knowledge of community engagement and development practices.

Ability to navigate systems and identify strategies to enhance community engagement.

Skill in framing issues and asking strategic, thought‑provoking questions.

Ability to influence, motivate, and engage diverse stakeholders.

Emotional intelligence, including the ability to manage one’s own and others’ emotions.

Ability to build trust and support individuals and groups through change.

Skill in fostering inclusive environments where culturally diverse groups collaborate effectively.

Training and facilitation skills.

Ability to actively seek out, understand, and leverage diverse perspectives.

Strong organizational, planning, and prioritization skills.

Ability to work independently with a self‑motivated, reflective, and adaptive approach.

Ability to prepare clear, accurate reports and documentation.

Ability to deliver effective public presentations.

Working knowledge of standard software applications, including Microsoft Word.

Ability to navigate systems and identify interventions to enhance engagement within communities.

Skilled at actively seeking out different viewpoints and leveraging the benefits of different perspectives.

A work style that is self‑motivated, reflective, self‑aware, and adaptive and that includes the ability to fulfill a variety of functions with minimal supervision.

Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work.

Equal Opportunity & Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation
NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form. For further assistance, please contact the office of affirmative action and equal opportunity (AAEO) at ada@niu.edu.

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