Community Outreach Specialist

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM CIVIL SERVICE

The CommunityOutreach Specialist is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Directorof the Department of Community Wellness and Safety.

The Community Outreach Specialist supports the City ofMilwaukees violence prevention efforts by overseeing mentorship outreach andleadership development initiatives for youth particularly those at riskjustice-involved or impacted by community violence and gang involvement.

This position is funded by a grant from the Department ofLabor through December 2027.

Communication and Interpersonal

• Plan and facilitate meetings and events with community and system partners.
• Track and report on partnership engagement and the impact of youth violence prevention activities in Milwaukee.
• Research and share best practices for youth violence prevention in communities.
• Develop innovative approaches for implementing violence prevention efforts in Milwaukee.
• Educate youth-serving agency leaders on the Blueprint for Peace and provide support for aligning with the strategies in the Blueprint.
• Oversee the design coordination and delivery of youth mentorship leadership and employment development programs in partnership with Employ Milwaukee and the Critical Response Team (CRT).
• Ensure violence prevention conflict resolution and personal development strategies are fully integrated into all program components.
• Monitor program performance and outcomes to ensure alignment with grant requirements and the City of Milwaukee objectives.
• Provide direct support and guidance to youth participants including those with histories of justice involvement gang affiliation or exposure to violence.
• Cultivate trust-based relationships with youth through consistent mentorship positive reinforcement and goal-focused conversations.
• Support CRT members in facilitating scenario-based learning de-escalation practices and leadership skill-building activities.

Community Outreach Collaboration and Program Promotion

• Collaborate with community organizations schools and city partners to strengthen referral networks and expand access to youth employment and development opportunities.
• Represent the Department of Community Wellness and Safety (DCWS) at community events meetings and collaborative planning sessions.
• Foster partnerships that promote non-violence community healing and youth empowerment across Milwaukee neighborhoods.
• Assist with citywide community outreach events and violence prevention campaigns.
• Support department initiatives training or special projects that align with the mission of DCWS
• Collect and maintain participant data attendance and progress tracking in accordance with Department of Labor grant guidelines.
• Prepare regular reports summarizing program outcomes challenges and success stories for internal and external stakeholders.
• Use data insights to refine programming and demonstrate impact to funders and partners.

• Standard work hours are 8:00 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday; occasional weekend and evening hours may be required.
• Must travel between DCWS and other community-based sites and/or work at multiple locations.
• Travel outside the City of Milwaukee for job-related training presentations and conferences; occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Must carry a mobile device during business hours.
• Required to respond to an emergency or broad-impact event.

1. Four years of experience in program facilitation related to human services community violence prevention crisis response and trauma support OR a Bachelors degree in a human services field such as public health social work education health education or a related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Ability to travel independently around the City of Milwaukee by public transportation walking biking or automobile.

Note: Equivalent combination of education and experience maybe considered.

• Experience working with justice-impacted youth or youth at risk for justice involvement
• Bilingual in Spanish/ English

Technical

• Knowledge of youth mentorship violence prevention conflict resolution and trauma-informed practices.
• Experience coordinating community outreach employment readiness and leadership development programs.
• Knowledge of grant funding processes through public and private sources.
• Ability to manage program documentation participant records and grant-related reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and case management or data tracking systems.
• Knowledge of social media platforms and how to interact with them.
• Ability to read and interpret work-related documents.
• Ability to gather and interpret data and respond to data requests.
• Knowledge and understanding of the public health approach to violence prevention.

Interpersonal and Communication

• Ability to build trusting relationships with at-risk justice-involved and diverse youth through empathy and lived experience.
• Skill in giving presentations including group facilitation and public speaking.
• Skill in mentoring coaching active listening and conflict mediation.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with community partners city departments multiple levels of government and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with coworkers and residents whose backgrounds may differ from ones own.
• Verbal communication skills including the ability to speak clearly and persuasively effectively present information and respond to questions from other managers clients and the public.
• Written communication skills including the ability to write narrative case notes routine reports and professional correspondence.

Judgment and Professionalism

• Ability to think critically demonstrate sound judgment and make ethical decisions when working with vulnerable populations.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality professionalism and composure in high-pressure situations or crises.
• Commitment to accountability integrity equity and fostering positive youth outcomes.
• Dedication to the promotion of family and community health and a commitment to staying apprised of best practices.
• Ability to serve as an effective steward of City resources.
• Highly motivated and self-directed.
• Ability to plan work prioritize assignments and complete tasks to meet deadlines.
• Decision-making and problem-solving skills to handle complex issues as they arise.
• Ability to work under pressure.

The current salary range (2GN) is $65112-$78768 annuallyand the resident incentive salary for City of Milwaukee residents is$67717-$81918annually.Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level ofexperience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefitprogram that includes the following:

• Wisconsin Retirement Systems (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City ofMilwaukee please visit Process