Job Title: Community Engagement Specialist (#479)/2 Positions
Grade: 18
Level: Entry (This may vary for internal candidates only)
Salary: $79,895
Classification: Full-Time/Union
Reports to: Director of Community Engagement
Location: 1100 S Hamilton/Juvenile Courthouse
Bureau: Administrative Services
Deadline Date: October 7, 2026
Primary Function:
The Community Engagement Specialist is responsible for Cook County Wide Engagement efforts on behalf of the State’s Attorney’s Office. This role focuses on building and maintaining strategic relationships, assessing community needs, and educating stakeholders on the office’s services, initiatives, and priorities. The Specialist serves as a key representative of the office in the community and ensures alignment between community needs and internal engagement strategies.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage community engagement throughout Cook County
- Build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with community organizations, schools, faith-based institutions, law enforcement agencies, elected officials, and other stakeholders
- Conduct ongoing community assessments to identify needs, trends, and opportunities for engagement
- Represent the State’s Attorney’s Office at community meetings, events, and public forums
- Educate stakeholders on the office’s role, services, initiatives, and public safety priorities
- Identify and coordinate opportunities for presentations, workshops, and outreach activities
- Collaborate with internal units to align community engagement efforts with office priorities
- Provide timely follow-up and relationship management to ensure consistent engagement and trust-building
- Track and report on regional engagement activities, outcomes, and community feedback
- Support planning and execution of community-based events and initiatives
- Work closely with the Director of Community Engagement to ensure scheduling, logistics, and materials are aligned
- Coordinate with the Director of Community Engagement to ensure consistent messaging and outreach materials
- Support Steering Committee engagement and other stakeholder convenings as needed
- Maintain accurate records of partnerships, engagement activities, and key contacts
- Maintain confidentiality of information and systems
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Qualifications:
Required:
- The candidate must have experience in community engagement, stakeholder relations, public service, or working with law enforcement and community-based partners.
- Strong relationship-building skills, cultural competency, and the ability to navigate diverse communities are essential.
- The candidate must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, excellent organizational skills and the ability to multi-task.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word applications.
- The candidate must be a strategic thinker with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Preferred:
- Experience conducting community needs assessments and facilitating outreach efforts is preferred.
Equal Employment Opportunity
EEO Message: The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) is an equal opportunity employer, which seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The CCSAO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Upon request, the CCSAO will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals due to a disability or pregnancy. The EEOP report can be found on our website at www.cookcountystatesattorney.org.
