Meet Me on Milwaukee - Community Engagement Specialist
Alderman Daniel La Spata - 1st Ward, City of Chicago
Chicago, IL
Description: Alderman Daniel La Spata seeks a hardworking, dedicated individual to serve as
Community Engagement Specialist for the 2026 Meet Me on Milwaukee pedestrianization
series. This individual will be part of a specific team deputized to plan, coordinate, and ensure
the success of Meet Me on Milwaukee, a pedestrianization event held in a three-part series in
the fall. The ideal candidate for this position is idea-driven and communicative; eager to
collaborate with other offices, businesses, local advocates, and residents; and willing to bring
fresh perspectives with a “can-do” attitude to obstacles. This position is hired as a part-time
position at the 1st Ward Aldermanic Office, and will report directly to the Associate Urban
Planner in the office. This position may occasionally require evening and weekend
responsibilities, which are allowed to be “flexed” with the job’s basic 15-20 hour weekly
requirements.
This job is perfect for urban planning or active transport enthusiasts, students, or early career
professionals who seek valuable experience in hands-on project capacity. Start date at the 1st
Ward Office (1958 N Milwaukee) is expected to be June 1, 2026. Hourly wage is expected
to be $20.
Qualifications, Attitudes, and Skills:
● Demonstrates a “go-getter” attitude, with a passion for pedestrianization, tactile urbanism, urban planning, or similar field
● Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment with many distractions
● Excellent oral and written communication skills
● Ability to work cooperatively and courteously with others; especially as it relates to the intersection of public image of the Ward and our initiatives
● Ability to multitask with several project details at once
● Ability to work with diverse groups of people in stressful and time sensitive situations
● Ability to walk outdoors for long periods of time and to lift large objects as needed
Preferred Qualifications:
● An understanding of the 1 st Ward, its constituency, and its community resources is a plus
● Previous community engagement or outreach experience is a plus
Values:
● A desire to work as part of a team to achieve common goals
● A desire to coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders and accept constructive feedback to improve the event outcome
● A genuine understanding of the goals and benefits of a pedestrianization event
Duties:
● Assists with the development and distribution of promotional materials, including event flyers, informational pamphlets, and other needed items related to the event
● Conducts outreach with local partners, businesses, workers, schools, and other networks to build positive relationships for the Meet Me on Milwaukee initiative
● Works directly with the local Chamber of Commerce to plan event vendors, business participants, event footprint, and other logistics for the day of the event
● Anticipates potential opposition and proactively problem-solves as needed
● Identifies creative solutions to improve the experience for event attendees
Compensation:
● This position is part-time and seasonal from June through October, requiring 15-20 working hours per week
● This position pays a rate of $20/hour
How to apply: Email victoria@the1stward.com and nicholaszettel@the1stward.com by
April 17th, 2026 with your resume and a brief statement of interest, and “Application: Meet
Me on Milwaukee” in the subject line.
The office of Alderman Daniel La Spata is an equal opportunity employer that values diverse
experiences and perspectives. Applicants from a variety of professional and personal
backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. The 1st Ward office is committed to creating a
ward where all residents have the resources and opportunities to thrive. Our office is committed
to elevating marginalized voices and collaborating with all interested stakeholders to build a
community grounded in diversity, democracy and

