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The Community Relations Coordinator serves as a representative of the Executive Director and is the primary point of contact for constituents, and community stakeholders seeking a resolution to questions, concerns, and other matters pertaining to anti-violence and violence prevention. This position will ensure constituent concerns are handled in a thoughtful, responsive manner with an overarching goal of providing exceptional customer experience and a positive impression of the City of Columbus, the Office of the Mayor, and the Office of Violence Prevention. In addition to providing responses to inquiries and managing a record of them, the Community Relations Coordinator may also work with the Public Information Officer/Communications Coordinator to develop proactive communication strategies intended to educate and inform Columbus residents about anti-violence and violence prevention initiatives. The Community Relations Coordinator may also directly engage constituents, and community stakeholders through community gatherings, and may attend meetings and events with the Executive Director or as otherwise as assigned.
Key Responsibilities: - Responds to constituent concerns, inquiries, or requests for information from residents, and other community stakeholders; prepares correspondence as directed.
- Engages City departments, other government agencies, and community-based service providers to resolve concerns involving anti-violence and violence prevention initiatives.
- Keeps a well-organized record of constituent concerns and complaints and any problems reported to the Office of Violence Prevention and their outcomes.
- Prepares correspondence (i.e. letters of congratulations, thank you notes, and acknowledgments), proclamations, and certificates to be delivered and/or presented by the Mayor, the Executive Director, or a designee.
- Receives inquiries, concerns, and ideas directly from the community; records information and provides periodic reports to demonstrate trends (weekly, monthly, quarterly).
- Receives, records, and monitors community concerns, issues, matters, and ideas by thoroughly reading documents and announcements from local newspapers and news outlets; creates reports as requested.
- Monitors news outlets on the national, state, and local levels for news and information, which might affect the people of Columbus; provides periodic reports.
- Acts as a representative of the Office of Violence Prevention in the community by attending assigned commission and civic organization meetings and events.
- Serves as liaison to area commissions, neighborhood associations, special interest groups, and business organizations impacted by the programming and initiatives of the Office of Violence Prevention.
- Develops and maintains a tracking spreadsheet of area commissions, neighborhood associations, special interest groups, and business organizations impacted by the programming and initiatives of the Office of Violence Prevention.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: - Bachelor’s degree, preferably in the area of Political Science, Communications, Social Science, or a related field.
- At least three years of experience working in a community organization is preferred.
- Understanding of the social, developmental, economic, cultural, and legislative issues and trends that affect the City of Columbus and targeted communities.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Reliable and punctual.
- Energetic and motivated. Interested in city activities and services, and how they impact the community.
- Familiarity with Microsoft applications.
- Fluency in a language other than English (preferably Spanish or an Afro-Asiatic language) is preferred but not required.
This is a full-time position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend work is required as job duties demand.
Under general supervision, the position is responsible for managing constituent casework, coordinating programs designed to develop and maintain close positive relations between neighborhood communities and the City of Columbus, serving as a liaison to Columbus residents and community stakeholders; performs related duties as required.