Community Engagement Specialist (internship)

Job Title: Community Engagement Specialist (internship)

Department: Community Engagement

Reports To: Branch Operations Coordinator

Status: 40 hours/week, June 8 to August 21, 2026 

Work Location: Mostly In-Person, occasional hybrid option available

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The Urban Ecology Center hires nearly 30 people annually for our Green Career Pathways summer employment & internship experience. Our model of creating neighborhood-based environmental education centers energizes urban public natural areas. Located in vibrant public green spaces in Milwaukee, our fast-growing organization serves over 200,000 people of all ages annually.  Our Green Career Pathways efforts are providing people with an immersive green career experience while having a significant impact on our mission. 

Position Summary: The goal of this full-time, seasonal position is to develop skills in visitor experience and outreach. This position will experience the “nuts and bolts” of a dynamic, fast-growing nonprofit organization. Your work will support one of our three vibrant communities, while supporting the overall work of theCommunity Engagement team. at all 3 branches by supporting Your role enhances the visitor experience by providing information, assisting with events, participating in neighborhood outreach, promoting programs, and overall connecting the community to the Urban Ecology Center’s mission: connecting people in cities to nature and each other.

We are hiring TWO Community Engagement Specialists this summer!

• 1 based at Menomonee Valley branch (3700 W Pierce St); bilingual Spanish/English is required.
• 1 based at Washington Park (1859 N 40th St).

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Neighborhood Outreach & Engagement 50%

• Assist with the coordination and participation in outreach efforts to engage people in the neighborhoods we serve through our programs, offerings, and community center; including tabling at events, distributing flyers, and sharing promotional materials.
• Participate in community conversations and neighborhood events. 
• Co-lead projects related to our visitor experience.
• Support our community gardens programs as needed.

Community Center & Hospitality (30%)

• Welcome visitors. Engage them to meet their needs, interests, or curiosity about the Center and advance the Center’s mission.
• Assist receptionists with strong customer service at the reception desk, and cover the desk when a receptionist is unavailable.
• Support front desk operations such as directing phone calls, guiding members on our website, and taking payments in our system.
• Help enforce visitor and building policies.
• Lead building tours for daily visitors and groups as scheduled.
• Keep reception desk and public areas neat, clean, and professional
• Promote program participation, membership, volunteerism, rental, and community involvement to visitors. Connect visitors to other staff members when appropriate.

Data Management and Reporting (20%)

• Enter data collected from outreach efforts into the UEC’s CRM database (Altru) and mailing lists to support deepened engagement with individuals and partners. 

OUR SUMMER EMPLOYMENT & INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

• Our summer employment term runs from June 8 to August 14, 2026.
• You will attend training for the first two weeks of your experience, with opportunities for further learning & development throughout the summer. We host both a Summer Kickoff event and an End of Summer Celebration.
• You will be managed by a Branch Operations Coordinator and work collaboratively with the Community Engagement and Community Programs teams.
• We nurture an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative workplace culture. 
• You will have the ability to attend our public programs/events at a low or no cost. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Skills and Abilities

• Effective Communicator: you can articulate thoughts and express ideas effectively using oral, written, visual and non-verbal communication skills, as well as listening skills to gain understanding. The ability to deliver information in person, in writing, and in a digital world
• Collaboration: You have a strong ability to collaborate and share responsibilities with peers 
• Growth Mindset: You have a demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development and incorporating feedback; you are optimistic about future opportunities
• Efficient: You have strong attention to detail, are self-motivated, and are able to multitask. You are able to prioritize your work based on importance and urgency.
• Strong cultural competency and commitment to equity, dignity, and justice.
• Affinity to the Urban Ecology Center’s mission, vision, and values.
• Data management skills (Excel) required
• Database experience (Volgistics or Altru) preferred

Experience, Education, and Certifications

• High school diploma or equivalent education is required.
• At least one year of additional coursework or work experience related to customer service, non-profits, or general administration is required. 
• At least 1 year of volunteer experience is preferred. 
• Bilingual Spanish/English is required for our Menomonee Valley position; Bilingual in Spanish or Hmong is preferred for other locations.

WORKING CONDITIONS, LOCATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Condition & Location: Open office workspace with an active team atmosphere. Using shared workspaces at all three UEC locations. 
• Physical Requirements: Sitting for prolonged periods, typing on a computer keyboard, lifting objects of 25 pounds or less, Standing, walking, bending 
• Equipment Used: Computer equipment, Google software, CRM software
• Schedule: Standard business hours with frequent evening and weekend events

The Urban Ecology Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to make all personnel decisions without discriminating on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national or ethnic origin, and any other protected status.