Community & Position Summary

The Village of Lisle is looking for a Community Engagement Specialist! This is a new position and it represents an exciting opportunity to take the Village’s efforts of collaborating with the community to the next level. We are seeking an enthusiastic and creative individual who will grow and enhance services and events aimed at engaging with the community. As a key member of the Village Manager’s Office, the selected candidate will build long-lasting relationships between community members and the Village to foster fruitful partnerships that benefit the Lisle community.

Lisle is a vibrant and dynamic community located in Chicago’s western suburbs with a high quality of life. Called “The Arboretum Village,” the community is situated along the prestigious I-88 Corporate Corridor just 26 miles west of Chicago’s loop in DuPage County. With a nature-themed downtown, Lisle is home to 750 businesses located in a variety of business districts including corporate headquarters of AST, Navistar, REMPREX, Molex, SunCoke Energy, and Leeco Steel. Lisle has beautiful neighborhoods, three full-service hotels, Benedictine University, a growing local/independent restaurant scene, extensive recreational opportunities through the Lisle Park District, and exc­­­ellent schools all within just a short train ride to downtown Chicago.   

Under the direction of the Assistant Village Manager, the Community Engagement Specialist will be tasked with developing a plan for advancing Village communication efforts, researching and devising best-practice community engagement methods, crafting and conducting surveys to inform the delivery of Village services, and collecting, maintaining, and interpreting data for reporting. This individual will serve as the main contact for marketing, planning, and coordination of Village events such as Celebrate the Season, Independence Day Celebrations, and National Night Out.

Key Competencies 

Demonstrate advanced skills and knowledge of best practices in outreach design; methods and means of using in-person events and social media platforms to cultivate high levels of engagement.

Innovative thinking with the ability to develop creative approaches to engage with the cultural, socioeconomic, racial and other groups that are part of the Lisle community.

Ability to build and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with multiple stakeholders, ranging from customers to staff, neighborhood groups, schools, vendors, executive leadership, homeowners associations, and elected officials in order to enhance communication, build support, and trust.

Exemplary customer service, including problem-solving capabilities to ensure a satisfying customer service experience.

Firm knowledge of the principles and practices of neighborhood outreach, program development, public administration and local government structure and services.

Effective, clear, and engaging verbal and written communication skills that includes the ability to interpret and apply applicable laws, ordinances, and policies in a manner that is easily understood.

Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under time constraints and other pressures.

Demonstrate an optimistic and professional attitude; ability to flourish in a team environment that includes working collaboratively, building strong cross-departmental relationships and anticipating information and messaging needs of key audiences.

Principal Responsibilities

Serve as primary manager of the Village’s communication platforms including social media and website; plan and generate content aimed at engaging with audiences, respond to questions and inquiries; implement tactics to increase reach and engagement.

Serve as the main contact for development, marketing, planning, and coordination of Village events. Provide organizational support and assistance for economic development marketing efforts and events run by community stakeholders.

Research, devise, and carry out best-practice community engagement methods.

Under supervision, proactively disseminate concise and timely information regarding Village services, pending development, special projects and initiatives, topical issues, potential hazards and emergencies, community events, and other priority subjects of information.

Build suitable and collaborative partnerships with resident groups and other community organizations to best inform the development, planning, and administering events/programs that best contribute to a welcoming community and high quality of life.

Continuously identify, develop and use interactive and innovative technologies to inform and engage the community; develop, plan, and schedule specific communication and outreach strategies to reach all populations found within the community.

Facilitate the development and implementation of creative engagement efforts that build bridges and provide community members more opportunity to learn about, discuss, and participate in key community issues.

Create and edit visual content including complex video, motion graphics, and photographic, audio and other content.

Use of Office Software & Office Equipment

Strong abilities to use software systems and modern office equipment; ability to create, edit, produce, and publish short videos.

Use of word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheet and data base software for the generation of reports, production of outreach materials, and other routine tasks.

Routine use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job include regularly communicating, traveling from place to place, handling objects, and reaching with hands and arms. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

Tasks involve the regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling moderately heavy objects and materials, up to fifty pounds. Ability to climb stairs.

Ability to perform a variety of physical and mental skills including but not limited to standing or sitting for extended periods of time, reading and writing, preparing and presenting material in a formal setting, performing complex mathematical computations, making sound decisions and using good judgment and demonstrating intellectual and communication capabilities.

Ability to work under potentially uncomfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as temperature extremes and precipitation. 

Qualifications & Experience

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent is desired, plus 2-3 years of experience in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism or a similar field. 

Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Notice

This job description is not intended to provide a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the Community Engagement Specialist. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.  

The position is typically required to working during Village Hall hours and will be required to attend Village Board or Commission meetings, workshops, and special events as job duties demand. Consistent and regular attendance is essential for successfully completing the duties of this position.  

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent is desired, plus 2-3 years of experience in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism or a similar field. Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements

Post-offer candidates should be prepared to take a physical evaluation, including a drug screening, and undergo a thorough background investigation.

Miscellaneous Information

Candidates are encouraged to apply by October 24, 2022 by applying online at https://www.villageoflisle.org/ and submitting an application, resume, and cover letter to [email protected]. Please reference Community Engagement Specialist in the subject line of your email.