Assistant Director of Civic Engagement

Assistant Director of Civic Engagement

The Center for Civic Education & Justice

Job Summary
Reporting to the Director of The Center for Civic Education & Justice (CCEJ), designs, coordinates, and assesses civic engagement programs that prepare students to be active citizens, advance social justice and responsibilities, and build partnerships with communities on and off campus. Bridges traditional civic engagement (service-learning, volunteering, dialogue, voter participation, etc.) and social justice work by developing, coordinating, and facilitating programs and co-curricular opportunities, that help empower a community of students with the knowledge and skills needed to be committed to fairness, justice, and collective democratic engagement. Plays a key role in shaping a campus-wide culture of justice-centered civic engagement. Duties & Responsibilities

Programming

• Develop, plan, and implement educational, recreational, social, and cultural programs and resources that help empower students with the knowledge and skills needed to become engaged citizens committed to fairness, justice, and collective democratic engagement.
• Coordinate civic dialogue and deliberation programs across differences (forums, facilitated discussions, public issues dialogues).
• Collaborate with other units and campus-community partners to develop programs that encompass various intersecting identities and experiences through a civic engagement lens.
• Direct voter engagement strategy (registration, education, access campaigns) with an equity lens, including partnerships with nonpartisan organizations.
• Coordinate and oversee the office programs that align with the Carnegie Elected Classification for Community Engagement including but not limited to: Changemaker Expo, Thanksgiving Meal Drive, Holiday Toy Drive, Immersive Learning Trips, and Campus & Community Engagement Days.
• Collaborates with the Director to manage the allocated budget for civic educational programming.

Advising and Outreach

• Provide advising, outreach, and leadership development for Volunteer Illini Projects (VIP) including the management of the Marion Kiely Scholarship.
• Assist in the production of programming, materials, resources, and activities related to Democratic Engagement and Civic learning.
• Help promote, publicize, and market activities and services of CCEJ on campus.
• Serve as a representative of CCEJ on various campus committees.
• Assist with the coordination of the campus Legacy Learning and Service Scholarship program that includes facilitating cohort orientation, meetings, and hours tracking.
• Build, foster, and maintain effective collaborative relationships with various academic and student affairs units and community partners to enrich awareness, transformational learning, and support related to civic responsibility and civic engagement.
• Build and sustain partnerships with local community nonprofits, schools, and equity-focused community groups.

Recruit, Train, Supervise, and Evaluate Education Department Staff

• Coordinate the recruitment and supervision of Illini Vote Ambassadors.
• Coordinate the We Are Illini Volunteers (WAIV) preparation workshop that focuses on social justice, volunteerism, community needs, and responsibility.
• Provide professional learning experiences that enable students to develop the personal and professional skills needed to thrive in an equitable society.
• Assist in the supervision of student staff.

Assessment

• Assist with developing and implementing programmatic assessment strategies.
• Assist with contracts and budgeting for programming.
• Maintain accurate records of programmatic efforts.
• Complete other duties as assigned by the Director.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in education, social work, counseling, sociology, or related field.

Experience:

• A total of two (2) years (24 months) in education, training and/or work experience in community outreach and engagement.
• Demonstrated experience developing programming focused on civic engagement, intercultural/intergroup dialogue, and/or social justice education.
• Experience working collaboratively with community-based organizations, non-profits, and/or local stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's Degree in higher education administration, college student personnel, sociology, counseling, or related field.

Experience:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with cultural knowledge, competence, and experience in working and communicating with college student and community members from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Experience designing and implementing programs focusing on civic engagement and intercultural/intergroup dialogue.
• Experience developing community and public engagement programs and public presentations.
• Experience in marketing and communications (e.g., electronic newsletters, websites, and social media).
• Professional experience advising and creating leadership development opportunities for students and/or student organizations.
• Experience in curriculum development.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Organizational, leadership, communication, and public relations skills.
• Ability to design tools for the assessment and evaluation of student learning and complex programs.
• Ability to work autonomously; takes initiative and has a willingness to assume responsibility.
• Ability to organize a wide range of tasks efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to plan, implement, and assess complex programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, cooperative working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5002 - Program Coordinator position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 6/1/2026. The budgeted salary range for the position is $56,000 to $62,000.

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at .

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. Please make sure to upload a cover letter, resume, and contact information for at least three professional references when applying. Additionally, if you have your transcripts please upload those as well. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Keri Collins at [email protected] . For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next . Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify .

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [email protected] .

Requisition ID : 1035140

Job Category : Professional and Administrative

Apply at: