Job Information
Johnson County Iowa Community Engagement & Policy Coordinator in Iowa City, Iowa
Community Engagement & Policy Coordinator
Salary
$32.24 - $38.68 Hourly
Location
Iowa City, IA
Job Type
Full-time
Job Number
00843
Department
Board of Supervisors
Opening Date
04/08/2025
Closing Date
4/18/2025 11:59 PM Central
Description
Benefits
Definition & Duties
Under general direction and supervision of the Board Office Executive Director and in collaboration with the Board of Supervisor’s staff, serves as a liaison between County government and residents with a focus on understanding community needs, concerns, and priorities. This position will involve outreach to local organizations, government agencies, and residents to gather feedback and foster strong relationships to ensure that county services meet the needs of residents. Provide support and guidance on policy and organizational issues informed by community-driven input to understand the needs and barriers the public encounters when interacting with county operations. Maintains County policy database and collaborates with other departments for related updates.
Knowledge of & Ability to
Federal, state and local procedures
Purpose and function of county government, including all Johnson County departments and public offices.
Data collection, survey methods, and analyzing community feedback, including qualitative and quantitative analysis, with ability to communicate findings to stakeholder groups, including leadership.
Consensus building, group facilitation, and collaborative decision making.
Community resources, local government processes, and service delivery systems.
English language to include basic grammar, sentence structure and vocabulary
Excellent problem-solving skills and a collaborative attitude
Ability to:
Execute work in alignment with the County’s core values, mission and strategic plan.
Work independently, with excellent skills in teamwork and collaboration.
Manage multiple tasks, changing priorities and adjust schedule as needed.
Work effectively with people representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view.
Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
Have an understanding of the varied political and social landscapes of Johnson County and be able to work effectively in a complex political environment.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, department heads, county employees, agencies, and members of the public
Represent Johnson County and perform duties in a professional, responsible, and trustworthy manner
Analyze and interpret data and other information to reach conclusions and make decisions.
Organize and present facts, ideas, and opinions clearly and concisely, orally and in writing formally and informally
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to listen and empathize with people from a variety of backgrounds
Provide customer service that is courteous and responsive.
Work effectively as a member of a team.
Track and report performance and keep accurate and organized records.
Provide excellent verbal communication skills or public speaking
Operate common office equipment such as calculators, fax and postage machines, photocopiers, scanners, and multi-line telephones
Use a computer for the purposes of word processing, data entry, spreadsheets, presentations, email, and Internet
Be detail oriented and accurate when working with documents and information
Follow oral and written instructions
Organize and prioritize multiple tasks
Handle low to moderate levels of stress, meet deadlines and solve problems appropriate to the position
Have sufficient personal mobility to complete work at various county facilities
Have sufficient vision which permits moderate production and review of a wide variety of materials both in electronic and hardcopy forms
Have sufficient manual dexterity to make handwritten notations and which permits moderate use of a keyboard and mouse
Lift, push, pull, and/or carry up to 25 pounds
Sit, stand, walk, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, squat, bend, twist, and reach
Work flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and occasional additional time as needed
Minimum Education, Training & Experience & Special Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in a related field AND three (3) years of experience with community engagement and policy coordination OR any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Government experience is preferred.
Special requirements: Valid driver’s license and insurable under County liability coverage. May also require use of private vehicle or equivalent transportation for official business. Must pass background check.
Specific Duties
to be performed satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Facilitate or assist with committee meetings, community events, stakeholder workshops, or other meetings to engage and receive community feedback on a wide range of topics.
Proactively engage with residents, local organizations and community groups through face-to-face interactions, phone calls, surveys, and community events.
Serve as a community liaison to various community organizations, groups, institutions and government entities to cultivate partnerships
Conduct surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one interviews to identify areas for improvement and service gaps.
Compile, analyze and track data regarding community needs, challenges, and concerns.
Collaborate with county departments to relay community feedback and coordinate services based on identified needs.
Work with county staff and external agencies to help resolve issues that may arise based on community input, ensuring that residents feel heard and supported.
Engage with other County community engagement liaisons to confirm trends in outreach findings, share observations, and encourage cross department information sharing to inform and strengthen community outreach.
Prepare regular and annual reports summarizing community engagement findings, feedback, trends, and recommendations for improvement.
Staff internal and external committee meetings as assigned, ensuring compliance with Open Meeting Laws, tracking attendance, developing agendas and generating minutes.
Assist with ADA compliance efforts including review of facilities, policies, and programs in addition to coordination of resident requests for access to County services.
Collaborate with Board Office staff to provide research and analysis on operational and public policy issues as directed, to assist the Board in carrying out its policy-making responsibilities.
Collaborate with Board Office staff to develop proposals, recommendations, and short-and long-term policy options as directed, based on community engagement and feedback.
Collaborate with Board Office staff to prepare, review and/or manage Requests for Proposals/Quotes/Qualifications and related contracts.
Draft summary reports, executive summaries, resolutions, and other documents as directed to carry forward Board initiatives and information requests.
In collaboration with the Executive Director, maintain database of board policy documents with consistent formatting, tracking updates, and ensuring appropriate access to impacted users.
Annually review existing board policies and prepare a report highlighting suggested updates.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, department heads, county employees, agencies, and members of the public.
Work on special projects as assigned
Provide direction and supervision to Board Office intern as needed.
Provide backup for Board Office staff.
Keep accurate and organized records.
Perform general clerical duties such as filing, faxing, typing, and photocopying.
Attend work-related meetings, conferences, and seminars.
Perform all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures, and safety practices.
Attend work regularly at the designated place and time.
Resume and cover letter must be attached to online application.
For questions regarding this position please contact Ines Beltre at ibeltre@johnsoncountyiowa.gov or 319-688-8076.
Employee Benefits
The following is a summary of benefits for full-time, non-bargaining County employees. Benefits, privileges and duties for employees covered under a collective bargaining agreement may vary depending on specific contract provisions.
Compensation
Employees serve a six-month probationary period and are eligible for meritorious performance compensation increases based upon performance evaluations. Across the board compensation increases are considered by the Board of Supervisors, and are made effective July 1 annually.
Vacation
During 1st through 4th years: 3 working weeks
During 4th through 9th years: 4 working weeks
During 9th through 19th years: 5 working weeks
During 19th or later years: 6 working weeks
Holidays
12 paid holidays per year plus 2 personal holidays:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King's Birthday
President's Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Juneteenth
Labor Day
Veteran's Day
Thanksgiving Day and day after
Christmas
Floating Christmas holiday
Sick Leave
Accrues at the rate of 18 days per year on a per-pay period basis to a maximum accrual of 120 days. After accumulation of 90 sick days, employees may convert sick leave to vacation on a 4:1 basis.
Parental Leave
A paid two-week (80 hour) paid parental leave is provided to full-time benefit eligible parents to allow for child bonding time. This includes child's birth, adoption, placement in the home or court appointed guardianship.
Wellness Program
Voluntary wellness activities, screenings, educational opportunities and incentives are offered throughout the year for employees and their families.
Employee Assistance Program
Employees and their families may contact Synchrony for free EAP counseling and referral services.
Health Care Coverage
Eligible employees may elect health care coverage the first of the month following one full month of employment.
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa is the third party administrator for this self-funded plan
PPO with 90/10 in-network and 80/20 out-of-network co-insurance; $275 deductible single or $550 deductible family; $1000 out-of-pocket maximum single or $2000 out -of-pocket maximum family
Single coverage is $32/month for eligible full-time employees; family coverage is $112.00/month.
Dental Care Coverage
Eligible employees may elect dental care coverage the first of the month following one full month of employment. Single coverage is paid by the County for eligible full-time employees; family coverage is a cost between the County and employee.
Vision Care Coverage
Eligible employees may elect vision care coverage the first of the month following one full month of employment. Single coverage is paid by the County for eligible full-time employees; family coverage is a cost between the County and employee.
Flexible Spending
Eligible employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for out-of-pocket health, dental and vision expenses that are not reimbursable through another source. Employees may also set aside pre-tax dollars for dependent care expenses.
Life Insurance
Eligible full-time employees are covered after 60 days of employment. Coverage is 1 times annualized compensation rounded up to the nearest thousand in group term life insurance and AD&D. Max covered salary $100,000.
*Supplemental Life Insurance
The County offers to all benefit-eligible employees additional life insurance coverage that may be purchased for employees, spouses and children at guarantee basis.
Long-Term Disability
Eligible full-time employees are covered after 60 days of employment. County provides up to 2 years of long term disability coverage at 66 2/3% of the employees wages as a result of injury, sickness or pregnancy; employees may opt to purchase additional coverage.
IPERS
Iowa Public Employee Retirement System is a mandatory defined benefit retirement plan designed to supplement both Social Security and private savings. Non law-enforcement employees contribute 6.29% and the County contributes 9.44%.
Deferred Compensation (457)
A deferred compensation plan is offered that provides tax advantages and an additional means in which to save for retirement with an easy payroll deduction. Employees may select from several companies offering deferred compensation. The County will match up to $40/biweekly, and employees are vested on day 1.
Discounted Bus Pass
Full-time and part-time employees are eligible to purchase discounted bus passes for Iowa City Transit and Coralville Transit for commuting to/from their jobs as Johnson County employees. Bus pass availability is subject to available funds and continuation of the program.
Johnson County is an affirmative action equal opportunity employer.
Women, minorities and elderly are encouraged to apply.
Employer
Johnson County
Address
913 S Dubuque St Suite 103 Iowa City, Iowa, 52240
Phone
319-356-6003
Website
https://www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/
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