The Community Outreach Coordinator will serve as an ambassador of the Conservancy and will build upon community engagement efforts to strengthen existing relationships and create new ones with key leaders, organizations and partners in Markham and the surrounding southland communities. This position will be under the joint direction of the Project Manager for Indian Boundary Prairies and the Director for Urban Stewardship and Engagement and will be based at the Conservancy’s Indian Boundary Prairies preserve office in Markham, Illinois.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
As part of our urban conservation team, the Community Outreach Coordinator will have an opportunity to learn about natural areas restoration work and connecting people to nature in the Chicago region. This position will serve as a liaison to the local community and will build upon community engagement efforts at Indian Boundary Prairies to strengthen existing relationships and create new ones with key leaders, organizations and partners in Markham and in the surrounding southland communities. This includes leading the implementation of a community engagement plan through education and engagement activities in the prairies and in the southland region.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key community members, partners and organizations such as, but not limited to: schools, libraries, local faith institutions, hospitals, Markham Park District, Markham Block Club, Southland Ministerial Health Network, Faith in Place and the Forest Preserves of Cook County;
• Work with partners and staff to plan, promote and coordinate youth programs including Eco-Ambassadors (a summer youth program in partnership with Faith in Place for youth ages 14-18); Mighty Acorns (an environmental education program that connects 3rd-5th grade students with local natural areas through science and stewardship); and NatureWorks Everywhere (a Conservancy program that provides teachers with free digital resources to teach young people about nature including lesson plans, videos, virtual field trips and interactive garden tools.)
• Assist with development of communication and education materials as needed;
• Create reports, provide tours and contribute information for grants, press releases, and other materials to increase awareness of engagement activities at the prairies;
• Purchase supplies as provided for in the budget; may assist with budget preparation and monitoring;
• May supervise administrative staff and/or volunteers, interns, or temporary staff;
• Work alongside Conservancy staff outside doing restoration and monitoring activities in the prairie (~10%);
• Due to the nature of this position some work on weekends and evenings will be expected.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years experience, or the equivalent;
• Experience in business writing, editing, and proofreading;
• Experience in community organizing and/or managing a volunteer program;
• Experience managing diverse activities to meet deadlines;
• Experience working and communicating with a wide range of people.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross cultural experiences are appreciated;
• At least 1 year experience working with local communities and youth;
• Interest and willingness to learn about the prairies and land restoration;
• Strong communication skills;
• Ability to write and edit written materials for internal and external use and for reports.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to meet all Conservancy Youth Qualification requirements and background checks;
• Supervisory experience.