COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPECIALIST - OOP (OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT) - SHAKMAN EXEMPT

Overview

Cook County Office of the President is seeking an experienced Community Outreach Specialist, responsible for supporting the bureau/department’s community outreach efforts by advancing programs, initiatives, policy directives, and digital equity priorities.

Responsibilities include helping to develop and implement engagement strategies and targeted outreach designed to expand program impact and strengthen stakeholder involvement.

The role establishes and manages partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, contributes to the review of program policies and recommendations, and develops educational materials, presentations, and communications aligned with leadership priorities. Additional duties include providing guidance to team members on outreach activities and supporting efforts to promote digital equity across communities.

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois’ population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning.

Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.

Attention Applicants: Please note that as part of ongoing job architecture initiatives, the County is reviewing job titles and corresponding grades, which may be subject to change.WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?

Benefits

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:

Top Tier Medical

Benefits

• Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 9 Additional voluntary benefit plans
• Flexible Teleworking Options
• Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays;
• Minimum of 15 vacation days annually; and Paid sick leave)
• Pension Plan
• Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts
• Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend
• Health/Wellness

Perks

Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.

SALARY RANGE

$70,242 - $77,452 / YEARLYSNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTYServes 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs2nd largest county in AmericaLarger than 27 statesCook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.

Nearly 80% unionized workforce15 unions represented63 separate collective bargaining agreementsHighway – Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.

Land – Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.

Safety – Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.LOCATIONLocated in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping!

In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclists.

Job Summary

Conduct community outreach efforts to further the Bureau/Department programs, initiatives, policy directives and digital equity. Supports the development and implementation of engagement strategies and targeted outreach efforts designed to expand program impact and stakeholder engagement.

Establish and manage key partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen organization and public-facing initiatives. Provides input and support in the review of program policies and recommendations. Develop educational materials, presentations, and communications to ensure alignment with leadership priorities.

Provide guidance and support to team members on outreach activities to advance digital equity.

This position is in the Office of the Cook County Board President. As such, this position involves policymaking or implementation related to the administration's political and policy views, and/or requires a high-level of confidentiality such that political affiliation is an appropriate consideration for the effective performance of the job.

Typical Job

Duties

• Manage and maintain relationships with internal departments, external agencies, and non-profit organizations to advance Bureau/Department priorities, support program direction, and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Develop, evaluate, and oversee the distribution of educational materials and outreach content, ensuring consistency with policy objectives and leadership priorities.
• Lead and conduct community education initiatives through outreach, public presentations, and stakeholder engagements, exercising independent discretion in messaging, delivery, and audience targeting.
• Identify, evaluate, and establish strategic partnerships; provide guidance and training to internal staff and external stakeholders on the development and delivery of outreach and educational programming.
• Develop and coordinate content for Bureau/Department websites, blogs, and social media platforms, ensuring alignment with strategic communications objectives and securing leadership approval on sensitive or high-impact messaging.
• Represent the Bureau/Department in meetings with community groups, service providers, governmental entities, and key stakeholders to gather input, address concerns, and provide input to program and policy recommendations.
• Design and direct the tracking, analysis, and reporting of outreach activities and program outcomes; evaluate effectiveness and provide data-driven recommendations to leadership for program enhancements and policy improvements.
• Collaborate with internal leadership and cross-functional teams to support the development and implementation of strategic outreach plans, including timelines and execution frameworks that support broader organizational initiatives.
• Advance equity-focused initiatives by advising on and implementing outreach strategies that ensure inclusive access to County programs, services, and resources across diverse communities.
• Required For All Jobs
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree or higher and
• Two (2) years of community outreach, education, communications, or directly related experience or
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Valid driver's license and proof of automobile insurance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four (4) years of experience in community outreach, education, or communications.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Skill in communicating to and directly educating consumers regarding the benefits of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other beneficial environmental programs.
• Knowledge of community engagement, public outreach strategies, and stakeholder relationship managements and programs.
• Skill in evaluating program effectiveness and implementing modifications.
• Skill in problem solving and data management.
• Ability to work both evening and weekend hours as needed.
• Ability to travel.
• Ability to provide moderate-level insight, advice and expertise to other professionals, management, and external contacts in an assigned functional area.
• Ability to operate as a team player and communicate specialized knowledge to team members, managers, and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of public sector communications and outreach best practices.

Physical Requirements

• Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.
• The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work.
• They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.
• EMPLOYMENT TERMS RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County’s career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action.
• As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.
• Please contact shakmanexemptapplications@cookcountyil.gov for inquiries about this position.
• Job Posting
• Jun 5, 2026, 5:16:57 PMOrganization
• Offices Under the President