Neighborhood Organizer (Racine)

Organizational Summary

Safe & Sound, Inc. is a comprehensive, community-based response to crime and violence in the Cities of Milwaukee and Racine. Since 1998, Safe & Sound has worked alongside residents to improve safety and strengthen neighborhoods experiencing persistent challenges.

Our work is grounded in a three-pronged strategy:

1. 1. Community Organizing
   2. Youth Development
   3. Partnerships with Law Enforcement

We bring together residents, youth, law enforcement, and community resources to build safe, empowered, and connected neighborhoods.

Position Summary

The Neighborhood Organizer plays a vital role in Safe & Sound’s community organizing strategy, working to build collective efficacy and strengthen neighborhood safety in Racine.

Neighborhood Organizers meet residents where they are: on front porches, at block meetings, at community events, and through one-on-one conversations. They rebuild and strengthen social networks, connect residents to resources, and support neighborhood-led strategies that prevent crime and improve quality of life.

A critical component of this role is serving as a liaison between residents and law enforcement, ensuring clear, two-way communication and advocating for neighborhood safety priorities within assigned districts.

Neighborhood Organizers operate effectively both independently and as collaborative members of a dynamic team. Weekly commute to our Milwaukee office will be expected, with mileage reimbursement available.

This is a full-time, non-exempt position, scheduled for up to 40 hours per week.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $22.00/hour

Safe & Sound offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off and holidays, mileage reimbursement for travel between Milwaukee and Racine, and opportunities for professional development.

Core Responsibilities

Neighborhood Organizers are year-round community mobilizers who:

• Conduct consistent neighborhood outreach and relationship-building
• Listen to and address resident concerns
• Develop and support resident-led safety initiatives
• Collaborate with community stakeholders to address neighborhood challenges

Resident concerns may include issues such as drug activity, sex work, nuisance properties, and other civil or criminal concerns within assigned Safe & Sound sectors.

Neighborhood Organizers also incorporate prevention-focused campaigns, events, and materials that build resident capacity to reduce factors contributing to alcohol and marijuana use.

They serve as a planning and technical resource alongside Safe & Sound staff, community-based organizations, and law enforcement to coordinate:

• Community forums
• Block watch meetings
• Collective impact initiatives
• Neighborhood collaborations

Workload Distribution

This position includes a workload comprised of:

• Community Engagement & Outreach – 50% Door-to-door outreach, neighborhood events, community office hours, direct resident engagement
• Prevention Work – 20% Prevention campaigns, events, capacity-building activities
• Partner Meetings – 10% External meetings (in-person or virtual)
• Internal Meetings – 10% Staff meetings, pillar meetings, neighborhood team meetings, committees, and workgroups
• Administrative Work – 10% Email communication, Salesforce data entry, reporting, timesheets, expense reports, Microsoft Teams communications, outreach preparation, phone calls and text messaging

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

To be successful in this role, an individual must be a proactive self-starter who thrives on building relationships in diverse settings.

A Safe & Sound Neighborhood Organizer:

• Cultivates and maintains strong resident relationships within assigned sectors through front porch conversations, phone outreach, and ongoing engagement.
• Collaborates with residents to build constructive relationships with Alderpersons, County Supervisors, the Mayor’s Office, law enforcement, community-based organizations, businesses, and City departments.
• Facilitates and represents Safe & Sound at community meetings, block watches, forums, collective impact workgroups, media events, and collaborative initiatives.
• Supports the formation and sustainability of neighborhood block watches and block clubs.
• Ensures accurate and timely data entry, reporting, and narrative documentation in Salesforce and other systems (weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually).
• Documents and tracks resident complaints related to illegal activity and enters referrals for appropriate follow-up.
• Develops strategic outreach plans and implements innovative approaches to recruit residents into leadership roles and community initiatives.
• Leads collective impact workgroups and stakeholder meetings.
• Supports implementation and reporting of special project grants and initiatives.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with neighborhood partners.
• Coordinates neighborhood events, including clean-ups, block watch parties, and resident engagement activities.
• Actively participates in internal Safe & Sound meetings and cross-team collaboration.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Basic Requirements

• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and automobile insurance required
• Ability to pass a criminal background check
• Racine County residency required; City of Racine residency preferred. Weekly travel to our Milwaukee office will be expected.

Qualifications

This role requires flexibility, including frequent evenings and weekends to support community meetings and events. Work occurs in office settings, neighborhood environments, and at indoor and outdoor community events and meetings.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in social science, human services, or related field preferred (minimum high school diploma or equivalent required)
• Two or more years of related experience in a social service or community-based setting; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience working with elected officials, law enforcement, neighborhood organizations, residents, and/or faith-based institutions strongly preferred
• Knowledge of the Racine community, local social issues, and community organizations

Skills & Competencies

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, Salesforce, and internet-based tools
• Strong written communication skills, including report writing and professional correspondence
• Effective verbal communication and public speaking skills
• Ability to engage respectfully with residents, youth, adults, elected officials, law enforcement, and community partners
• Basic math proficiency
• Sound judgment and ability to interpret and carry out written and verbal instructions
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in multicultural environments
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills
• Professional proficiency in written and spoken English required to effectively document activities, prepare reports, and communicate with residents, partners, and law enforcement. Additional language proficiency that reflects the Racine community (e.g., Spanish or other languages) is highly valued.

Additional Requirements

• Physical activities include door-to-door canvassing, facilitating community events, and participation in block watch and neighborhood meetings

Safe & Sound is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.