CIVIC ENGAGEMENT SERVICES MANAGER

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM CIVIL SERVICE

 Appointment and continued employment are at the pleasure of the Milwaukee Public Library Director.  

 The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity. 

The Civic Engagement Manager will lead the implementation of the One MKE Initiative and the planning, design, and implementation of the library's Civic Hubs, which are dedicated, public-facing spaces that serve as access points for civic information, resources, and engagement opportunities.

Program Development and Coordination

• Act as primary liaison for City departments, community agencies, and MPL locations for the One MKE project.
• Plan, design, and implement the library's Civic Hubs.
• Work closely with the One MKE outreach team to coordinate activities and provide updates for MPL and the City.
• Organize youth-focused activities such as mock elections and community issue debates to engage middle and high school students.

Resource Creation and Management

• Develop and maintain multilingual, accessible guides on civic topics, ensuring materials are current and relevant.
• Oversee the setup and upkeep of Civic Hubs in each branch, ensuring they are welcoming and informative spaces.

Partnership and Collaboration

• Establish and nurture relationships with local government departments, educational institutions, and community organizations to support and expand civic engagement efforts.
• Organize and facilitate workshops, seminars, and events that promote civic knowledge and participation.
• Coordinate joint events and programs that address community-specific civic issues.
• Serve as MPL's representative in city-wide civic initiatives and collaborate with national networks to share best practices.

Staff Training and Support

• Provide training for library staff to effectively facilitate civic programs and assist patrons with civic-related inquiries.
• Develop resources and toolkits to empower staff in promoting civic engagement within their branches.
• Oversee the work of the Temporary Community Education Assistant.

Evaluation and Reporting

• Monitor and assess the impact of civic engagement programs, collecting data on participation and community feedback.
• Prepare regular reports detailing progress, challenges, and recommendations for future initiatives.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

• As this is a grant-funded position, the role and job functions are subject to grant funding availability and grant guidelines. This position is funded through March 2026.
• Work some evening and weekend hours, depending upon the project.
• Travel to various sites throughout the City of Milwaukee.

1. Bachelor’s degree in journalism, mass communication, public administration, political science, or a related degree.
2. Three years of experience in community outreach, program development, or civic engagement.
3. Valid driver's license at the time of appointment and throughout employment.
4. Use of a properly insured vehicle for us on the job; mileage reimbursement is provided pursuant to Section 350-183 of the Milwaukee Code. 

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered.

Technical

• Ability to learn and explain general city services and departmental objectives.
• Knowledge of social media platforms, strategies, best practices and the associated use of analytics.
• Knowledge of customer service best practices.
• Knowledge of the voter registration and absentee voting process.
• Ability to effectively utilize internal electronic files and databases, reporting tools and the Microsoft Office suite.
• Knowledge of professional marketing techniques and practices, visual design principles and public relations best practice.
• Knowledge of local government structures and civic processes.

Communication & Interpersonal

• Written communications skills to create clear and concise business communications such as reports, social media posts, and procedures.
• Verbal communication skills ensure the accuracy of information conveyed and to explain complex concepts to individuals with varying degrees of understanding.
• Skill in presenting information effectively.
• Ability to work effectively with multi-level staff, residents, and community group members from all socioeconomic, educational, literacy, and cultural backgrounds.
• Community outreach skills to build relationships with community partners.

Professionalism

• Ability to read and interpret a wide variety of job-related documents.
• Honesty, integrity, ability to maintain confidentiality, and responsible stewardship of City resources.
• Creative problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively resolve problems and recommend preventative action.
• Strong collaboration skills; ability to work effectively as part of a team or individually with diverse staff, and community partners.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including ability to manage schedules, prioritize, and meet short-term and long-term goals and deadlines.

The current salary range (Pay Range 1GX) is $85,086 - $98,703 annually, and the residency incentive salary for City of Milwaukee residents is $87,639 - $101,664 annually.

Benefits: 

• The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefits program that includes the following:
• Wisconsin Retirement System (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 of Milwaukee, please visit http://city.milwaukee.gov/Benefits.

Screening for this position will be based on an evaluation of each applicant’s education, experience, and professional accomplishments, which should be detailed in a cover letter and resume.

• Interested individuals must apply online at  https://www.mpl.org/about/library_opportunities/civic-engagement-services-manager-application.php by 4:45 PM on Monday, July 11, 2025.
• Questions relative to the selection process may be directed to: Danielle Wrobleski, Human Resources Representative, MPL Human Resources at: MPLjobs@milwaukee.gov.

The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process.

INITIAL FILING DATE: The selection process will be conducted as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of application materials may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the city's needs have been met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

EEO 102

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.