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Community Engagement Manager

August 17, 2026

Every day, people across Illinois are denied the basic rights to which they are entitled under the law simply because they can’t afford a lawyer. It’s our mission to change that.

Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. is seeking a Community Engagement Manager to oversee community engagement efforts. This responsibility encompasses the entire 36-county service area and includes supervising the work of PSLS’ Community Resource Specialists and other outreach staff that serve residents by establishing communications, educating about legal remedies, distributing outreach materials, and helping to provide services residents will feel comfortable using. The Community Engagement Manager will maintain relationships with community partners and work with PSLS’ leadership team on community engagement activities.

Responsibilities
The Community Engagement Manager will participate in a full range of duties including, but not limited to:

  • Manages the work of each PSLS Community Resource Specialist and any other PSLS outreach staff, including interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and performance reviews of direct reports
  • Facilitates the creation of PSLS’ annual community engagement plan with the PSLS leadership team to ensure community outreach decisions align with the legal team’s capacity and abilities and with the organization’s grant needs
  • Oversees the development, maintenance, and sharing of a database of current community partners, including contact information and a description of services provided each partner
  • Works with the Director of Legal Operations, Manager of Marketing and Communication, and Community Resource Specialists, to facilitate the development of all community outreach event materials, including PowerPoint presentations, scripts, handouts, and flyers
  • Works with the PSLS Manager of Marketing and Communication, to facilitate the ordering and distribution of swag for community events
  • Coordinates purchase of food for community engagement events in collaboration with PSLS Finance Department
  • Collaborates with PSLS’ leadership team on all community engagement activities, including trainings, funding opportunities, MOUs, and community needs studies that guide service delivery

Salary and Benefits
The Community Engagement Manager position is full-time, at 37.5 hours per week, and will be based in the office that best suits the chosen candidate. PSLS offers a salary competitive with similar organizations. The salary range for this position is $60,000 to $84,067 annually. The starting salary for the successful candidate will be determined based on prior relevant experience. PSLS is committed to providing an excellent, comprehensive benefits package to its full-time employees that includes:

  • Health insurance, including the opportunity to qualify for a wellness credit
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision insurance
  • 403b Retirement Plan including employer contributions
  • Training and education program
  • Flex scheduling and partial remote work available
  • PTO that starts at 3 weeks/year and increases with additional years worked at PSLS
  • Paid sick leave
  • 6 weeks of paid parental leave after one year of employment
  • 12 Paid holidays

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be highly organized, dependable, and self-motivated. Applicants should have:

  • High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent and 3+ years of training or relevant education
  • 3+ years of community organizing experience
  • People management experience
  • An understanding of diversity and equity and the issues underserved communities face as they navigate the legal system
  • A firm understanding of how people learn and the ability to use that knowledge to create effective outreach materials
  • Exceptional collaborative management skills; has a proven record as a team builder and team leader
  • Knowledge of non-profit funding, including private fundraising and grants
  • Experience and passion for working with low-income and underserved populations
  • Frequent travel throughout the northern and central Illinois service area (approximately weekly)

Application Details - Resumes accepted until positions are filled
Please indicate “Community Engagement Manager” in the subject line and email a letter explaining your interest and experience, your resume, and three professional references to [email protected]. The Administrative Office is located in Rockford, Illinois, but this position may be based out of one of our other offices. A list of office locations and areas served is available at https://pslegal.org/our-offices. Please include your office preference.

PSLS is an equal opportunity employer that strives to create a welcoming environment. We recruit, employ, pay, and promote qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin or citizenship, ancestry, religion, sex, disability, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service, or other characteristics protected by law.