Community Organizer
Job Description and Announcement
Location: Milwaukee, WI – Washington Park Neighborhood
Position Type: Full-time
Compensation: $43,000 base annual salary, experience and qualifications considered
Reports to: Executive Director
Agency: United Methodist Children’s Services of WI, Inc. (UMCS)
Overview:
Established in 1962, UMCS has a deep commitment to and long-standing presence in Milwaukee’s Washington Park neighborhood, where it has provided a wide range of social service programs and assistance to low-income, marginalized families, including affordable housing, community health promotion, community organizing, emergency food pantry and family resource center, social work and childcare.
Under the supervisor and support of the Executive Director, the Community Organizer for NSP Area #11 (the Washington Park neighborhood) will be a catalyst for bringing residents, business owners and other stakeholders together to drive positive change in the neighborhood. The Community Organizer will lead regular neighborhood meetings (both virtually and in-person as health conditions allow) to generate dialogue and develop strategies to both 1.) address different challenges that the neighborhood is confronting, and 2.) promote new initiatives that foster positive change. They will also collaborate with and learn from the experiences of other Community Organizers throughout the city of Milwaukee, particularly in adjacent neighborhoods that are confronting similar issues.
Primary Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions:
1. Interact and engage with neighborhood residents by conducting door to door outreach, walking the streets, attending and organizing community events, and listening to residents about their neighborhood perspective. The Community Organizer is expected to strengthen existing relationships and to identify and engage new neighborhood contacts each calendar year, keeping accurate and updated records of all contact information.
2. Establish and maintain block clubs/watches to address criminal and nuisance complaints incoordination with the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) District #3. The Community Organizer is expected to assist residents and the police in the formation of block club/watches and to refer criminal and civil nuisance complaints to MPD. Collaborate with MPD and others to develop a Washington Park Block Club Council.
3. Organize and facilitate the monthly Washington Park Neighborhood Meeting, ensuring that different voices are heard at these meetings and that all are able to participate and bring forward agenda items. Ensure that accurate notes are kept of all meetings and that those notes are circulated to the full list-serve.
4. Assist with coordinated neighborhood clean-ups between residents, community organizations, and the City's Department of Neighborhood Services. The Community Organizer will manage an inventory of supplies and encourage residents to utilize the neighborhood clean-up program.
5. Collaborate with City of Milwaukee Departments, law enforcement and other community-based organizations and business groups on crime prevention, neighborhood improvement projects, neighborhood improvement efforts, community events and other collaborative projects throughout the calendar year.
6. Connect residents to neighborhood resources, events, and public safety initiatives. Distribute diverse resource materials to individuals and families via door to door outreach, community events, schools, churches, nonprofit organizations and social media.
7. Conduct and attend neighborhood meetings involving residents, businesses and nonprofit organizations to further implement Sustainable Community Initiative and to gather input on Community priorities for the City's 5- Year Consolidated Strategy & Plan.
8. Attend monthly Milwaukee Police Department District 3 Crime Analysis Meetings.
9. Attend all Community Development Grants Administration (CDGA) required trainings and workshops on community organizing strategies and techniques and as well as any other training mandated by CDGA.
10. Recordkeeping, data entry, evaluation of organizer outcomes, and reporting/writing summaries will be done on a weekly to monthly basis.
11. Develop contacts with other community organizing agencies in adjacent neighborhoods and around the city to share experiences, lessons learned and good practices.
12. All other duties assigned
Qualifications:/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of and ability to collaborate with community residents, organizations, & public officials.
- Skill in using computers and Microsoft Office software; particularly Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word and Publisher.
- Ability to work weekday evenings and weekends is required to attend community meetings and events.
- Ability to write and speak clearly, must be comfortable with public speaking.
- Ability and comfort to communicate effectively with diverse populations.
- Ability to present information in an organized manner.
- Ability to maintain boundaries and confidentiality.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree or two-year associate degree from an accredited school; other combinations of education and experience may be considered.
- At least 3 years working with community-based organizations preferably with community organizing or community education experience.
Basic Requirements:
- Must have a valid driver's license, a vehicle and automobile insurance.
- Requires City of Milwaukee residence at time of hire.
Benefits:
Paid time off vacation/holidays; Employer-supported 403(b)retirement/savings plan; Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Allowance (ICHRA); Discounted onsite childcare available via the Growing Tree Children’s Center; Short-Term Disability.
To Apply: send cover letter and resume including three professional references with contact name/title/company/phone number to: HR@umcs-wi.org
or mail to:
Human Resources: CONFIDENTIAL
United Methodist Children's Services of WI, Inc.
3940 W. Lisbon Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53208
Incomplete submissions will be dismissed.
