ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Conduct desk review of existing literature for successful community engagement in park design;
• Community Engagement: Support project team throughout the community engagement process for the first two MKEPlays parks to encourage community participation in the design and planning process. The community engagement process is an opportunity to: provide context of the MKE Plays program to the community, fill translation gaps as necessary, uncover identity dynamics for the surrounding neighborhood, identify historical, current and desired best uses for the public space as well as user demographics. In consultation with Program Manager and other project team members, design community engagement strategy that encourages multi-generational input for park design and tools (surveys, questionnaires, focus group discussions, etc.) required for data collection that will inform and guide the Department of Public Works (DPW) as well as the community towards a final playground design reflective of community identity. Successful community engagement and coordination will require working with local residents, local partners and city staff to arrange effective information sharing;
• Participatory Park Assessments: Support project team in analysis of quantitative and categorical data related to current and recommended park uses, including creation of data collection instruments, data collection, reviewing data analysis conducted by the project team and analyzing additional data as needed. Data collection will also include photos and resident quotes. Schedule follow up meetings with internal staff as well as ad hoc boards to analyze data;
• Evaluation/Key Informant Interviews: Work with project manager and other project team members to support the evaluation process, which may include assisting the Evaluation Intern with data gathering, interpretation of findings and facilitation of video interviews.
• Program Documentation: Support the coordination and facilitation of program documentation by the Neighborhood News Service (NNS), an online media outlet in Milwaukee, as well as doc UWM, the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee’s documentary media center, both of which are dedicated to follow MKE Plays in its first year of implementation.
• Coordinate, schedule and facilitate large neighborhood meetings, workshops, ad hoc board meetings, and internal meetings for each park area as necessary;
• Assist in report writing, including summaries of neighborhood and ad hoc board meeting discussions in each of the park areas, description of stakeholder requests and interests, and steps required to move each park and its partners towards final park design and completion;
• Meet with playground vendors and DPW staff to discuss community requests;
• Draft 1-2 page briefs highlighting key program findings for public dissemination.
• Other duties as assigned.ACCOUNTABILITY:

  MKE Plays program team members, contracted by the City of Milwaukee or local partners, are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, especially to our beneficiaries. The MKE Plays program aims to build playgrounds designed by local residents. With this as a guiding principle, team members must engage beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design process.

  SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

  No direct responsibility. While the Program Manager oversees program implementation on behalf of the Common Council President, MKE Plays is horizontally structured to encourage collaboration and teamwork.

  REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Staff Assistant to Council President (Program Manager)

  WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Program Manager, Common Council President, Common Council members and their Legislative Assistants, Community Engagement Specialist (Trinity Fellow), Department of Public Works staff including the Commissioner of Public Works and Operations and Maintenance Manager, and local partners.

  DELIVERABLES:

• Completed implementation guide (digital and binder copy) for use in future MKE Plays parks;
• Completed organizational chart for MKE Plays Program;
• Completed contact database that includes internal city contacts, donor contacts, vendor contacts, park specific localcontacts and national partners;
• Coordination and facilitation of a minimum of (3) neighborhood meetings per park that result in the total involvementof an estimated 60 residents in community planning;

MKE Plays Program Coordinator Scope of Work 4/6/2015

• Coordination and facilitation of a minimum of (2) ad doc board meetings per park;
• Analysis of specific sections of the participatory park assessment data, as assigned;
• At least 4 text boxes on MKE Plays successes (for website and other publication);
• At least 2 short briefs highlighting key findings and conclusions;SUCCESS FACTORS:

  The successful Program Coordinator will have strong organizational and communication skills and be orientated towards collaborative problem solving. S/he will be able to work independently, take initiative, and work closely with a diverse project team in a fast-paced, fluid work environment.

  IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• BA/S or equivalent in Community Development, Public Policy, Government, Social Science, Management or otherrelevant field
• Experience working in, or relevant course work in, community development, community education, government, publicpolicy, and conflict sensitive programming
• Practical work with local civil society, especially related to youth programming. Prior youth programming related work inthe City of Milwaukee is preferred.
• Experience working on monitoring and evaluation of community development programsStrong written and oral communication skills, analytical and research skills; excellent editing skills, including report

  development. Strong facilitation skills required.

• Participatory and interactive approaches to community engagement work required.
• Facility with Word and Excel.
• Experience working in one or more of the neighborhoods identified in MKE Plays.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperativelywith team members on on-going and short-term projects.