Community Affairs Specialist II (35320)

Community Affairs Specialist II (35320) Bookmark this Posting Print Preview | Apply for this Job Position Information Posting Detail Information Working Position Title Community Affairs Specialist II (35320) Classification Community Affairs Spec II Position Number 00035320 Open Date 05/13/2026 Close Date 05/28/2026 Priority Review Date Employee Class Staff Full-Time/Part Time Part-Time FTE .4 Position Status Regular FLSA Non-Exempt Job code 3287 Union Representation Non-Union Union Code N/A Unit/Department Ctr Child Welfare & Education College/Unit P20 Initiatives Network Division Outreach Engagemt Regl Dev Dv Location HS Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page https://ccwe.niu.edu/ Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications Overview This role focuses on building community capacity by forming and supporting local action teams, fostering partnerships, and facilitating inclusive, collaborative participation among stakeholders. Responsibilities include developing engagement strategies, leading trainings and discussions, leveraging technology for communication, and guiding communities in identifying needs and implementing solutions. The consultant will also track progress, maintain records, and provide regular reports to ensure continuous improvement and sustainability of PEP initiatives. Position Summary This position will work out of the Center for Child Welfare and Education ( CCWE ) DeKalb office at the NIU campus, Health Services building. The specialist will support the Permanency Enhancement Project ( PEP ) by strengthening community engagement efforts to improve permanency outcomes for youth in foster care and reduce disparities affecting children of color. Essential Duties and Responsibilities PEP Consultation Provide strategies, planning, facilitation, and development services to create and implement local community PEP action teams Develop and implement approaches to engage community members and organizations as partners in collaborating to impact community issues Identify potential community partners and build relationships Develop mechanisms to assist community members understand PEP issues Facilitate and support opportunities for community engagement in identifying concerns and executing plans and activities for solutions Provide opportunities for early involvement and a meaningful voice in identifying community needs and shaping solutions in partnership and in support of other organizations Use training, one-on-one interviews, and small group meetings and other techniques to facilitate engagement in taking initiative to solve community problems Provide consultation, training and assistance to staff and volunteers on implementing engagement tools Leverage the use of technology to gain efficiencies and enhance two-way communication between, and among stakeholders Maintain records, produce reports and evaluate progress Review and evaluate engagement goals, mechanisms and activities and make recommendations to improve effectiveness Maintain accurate records and prepare reports related to program activities Provide updates on the status of PEP action team, goals, activities and accomplishments Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service) High school diploma or equivalent. Four (4) years (48 months) of work experience in public contact with an agency or organization oriented toward community activities. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service) Knowledge of community personnel, programs, organizations, resources, and issues of public concern. Knowledge of the administrative and organizational structure of the campus and/or its major components. Ability to establish a communicative role between the campus and/or its major components and the surrounding community. Specialty Factors (Civil Service) None Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service) Bachelor's degree. At least five (5) years of community engagement/development experience, and planning and organizing experience. Knowledge and/or experience of Child Welfare and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is preferred but not required Strong written and verbal communication skills Ability to exercise sound independent judgment and decision-making Knowledge of community engagement and development practices Ability to navigate systems and identify strategies to enhance community engagement Skill in framing issues and asking strategic, thought-provoking questions Ability to influence, motivate, and engage diverse stakeholders Emotional intelligence, including the ability to manage one's own and others' emotions Ability to build trust and support individuals and groups through change Skill in fostering inclusive environments where culturally diverse groups collaborate effectively Training and facilitation skills Ability to actively seek out, understand, and leverage diverse perspectives Strong organizational, planning, and prioritization skills Ability to work independently with a self-motivated, reflective, and adaptive approach Ability to prepare clear, accurate reports and documentation Ability to deliver effective public presentations Working knowledge of standard software applications, including Microsoft Word Ability to navigate systems and identify interventions to enhance engagement within communities. Skilled at actively seeking out different viewpoints and leveraging the benefits of different perspectives. A work style that is self-motivated, reflective, self-aware, and adaptive and that includes the ability to fulfill a variety of functions with minimal supervision. Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work. Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS) N/A Additional Requirements (SPS) N/A Preferred Qualifications (SPS) N/A Physical demands/requirements Travel required In person position General office work The specialist may be required to work irregular hours to complete responsibilities, and the work is performed in a variety of settings including offices, community settings and businesses. Appointment and Compensation Details Appointment and Compensation Details Anticipated Appointment Start Date 06/16/2026 Anticipated Appointment End Date Percent of Staff Year 1.00 Standard Hours Per Week 15 Working Hours Varies; As Needed Salary $19,500.00/Annually; NIU offers a robust benefits package. Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range $25.00/

Hourly Earn Type Hourly Application Procedure Application Procedure Application Procedure Application Procedures:

Fully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience.

Important:

Please upload any unofficial transcript(s) and/or documentation that verifies any education, experience, and/or training you have received. If eligible for Veteran's Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting an Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination. After the posting has closed, your submission will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification, including any specialty factors associated with this position. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register. Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from jobs@niu.edu and CivilServiceTesting@niu.edu . Please add these emails to your address book to ensure timely delivery of any future communication. Illinois residency required within 180 days of the hire date.

Credentials Assessment Examination:

The examination for this position is a Credentials Assessment and is based on your application materials as submitted for this posting. A Credential Assessment is a rating by the Human Resources Office of an applicant's/employee's education, experience, and special credentials/qualifications (licenses, etc.). Applicants are required to upload documentation to verify the minimum qualifications for this position has been met. Required documentation noted in the posting, such as a driver's license, licensures, or certifications MUST be uploaded with your application materials. After assessment of all qualified applicants has been completed for this position, the names with the top three (3) scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.

Additional Details:

Click on Community Affairs Specialist II for more information including salary ranges, typical duties, minimum acceptable qualifications, and testing requirements. Applicants who may assume they do not meet the exact minimum qualifications are still invited to apply. Within the application documents, applicants should be sure to explain how their credentials and related qualifications address the requested minimum requirements. Please click on Human Resource Services - Benefits for detailed information about Northern Illinois University's benefits package. Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources. Special Instructions Quick Link to Applicant https://employment.niu.edu/postings/92243 Is Background Check Required? Yes EEO Statement Summary In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator Health Services Building Room 230 TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu 815-753-5560 Visa Policy In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. ADA Accommodation NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person's disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity ( AAEO ) at ada@niu.edu . Safety Information NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety. Read the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report . Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-9364 for a hard copy. Applicant Documents Required Documents Resume/Curriculum Vitae Cover Letter List of at least 3 Professional References Optional Documents Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256) Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire) Other Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (

• ).

• What is the highest level of education attained? GED High School Diploma Associates Degree Bachelors Degree Masters Degree PHD
• Have you attached all transcripts to support the degrees you are submitting for consideration? Yes No
• Do you have specific work experience planning and implementing policies, programs, and procedures of a university campus and/or major components thereof so as to assure their adaptability and responsiveness to common problems and concerns of the community?

No work experience directly related to the job function described My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed under guidance My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed independently

• Do you have specific work experience developing programs that coordinated campus and community activities toward improving the human and environmental needs of numerous groups and organizations throughout the community and that promoted maximum involvement and participation between the university and the community?

No work experience directly related to the job function described My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed under guidance My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed independently

• Do you have specific work experience establishing communication and liaison procedures between a university campus and various administrative units, organizations, and personnel of the community; communicating program activities to both campus and community participants and/or recipients?

No work experience directly related to the job function described My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed under guidance My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed independently

• Do you have specific work experience developing and identifying sources of funding for continued program activities and planned expansion needs; preparing budgets and reports?

No work experience directly related to the job function described My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed under guidance My work experience relevant to the job function described was performed independently

• Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response) (Open Ended Question)
• Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response) (Open Ended Question)
• Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response) (Open Ended Question)
• Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response) (Open Ended Question)
• If applicable, have you attached a copy of your DD214, DD215, NGB22, or DD256 for consideration of Veterans Preference Points?

The copy submitted should reflect the status of discharge in order to be considered. Yes No Not Applicable