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$45.5K

$88.8K

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How much do community relations officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for community relations officer in the United States is $88,807.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $100,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Community Relations Officers when engaging with diverse community groups?

Community Relations Officers often encounter the challenge of building trust among diverse groups with varying backgrounds, interests, and concerns. Navigating conflicting priorities and addressing misunderstandings requires strong communication and active listening skills. Officers must remain patient and adaptable, ensuring that all voices are heard and finding creative solutions to foster positive relationships. Success in this role often depends on being approachable, transparent, and culturally sensitive while collaborating with both internal teams and external stakeholders.

What is the difference between Community Relations Officer vs Public Relations Specialist?

AspectCommunity Relations OfficerPublic Relations Specialist
CredentialsBachelor's in Communications, Public Relations, or related fieldsBachelor's in Communications, Public Relations, or related fields
Work EnvironmentCommunity centers, local government, non-profitsCorporate offices, PR agencies, media outlets
Employer & IndustryLocal governments, non-profits, community organizationsBusinesses, corporations, PR firms
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding community engagement rolesMedia relations, brand management

While both roles focus on communication and relationship-building, Community Relations Officers primarily engage with local communities and organizations to foster positive relationships. Public Relations Specialists often handle media relations and brand image at a broader, sometimes corporate, level. The roles overlap in skills and education but differ in their primary focus and work environment.

What Does a Community Relations Officer Do?

As a community relations officer, your job is to manage the relationship your company has with community members and other local organizations. In your role as CRO, you may serve as a central point of contact for non-employees, help develop and run outreach programs, and manage support staff. You use community psychology to help create a positive and welcoming atmosphere for the business. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of a community relations officer requires interpersonal skills. Similar job titles include community relations specialist or manager.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Community Relations Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Community Relations Officer, you need strong communication, public relations, and organizational skills, often supported by a bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, or a related field. Familiarity with social media platforms, event management software, and public relations tools is typically required. Outstanding interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to build trust make someone stand out in this position. These competencies are vital for fostering positive relationships between organizations and their communities, ensuring effective outreach and engagement.

What does a Community Relations Officer do?

A Community Relations Officer acts as a liaison between an organization and the community it serves. Their main responsibilities include fostering positive relationships, addressing community concerns, and organizing programs or events to engage the public. They also communicate information about the organization's initiatives and gather feedback to improve services. Community Relations Officers often work for government agencies, non-profits, or corporations to ensure mutual understanding and cooperation with local communities.
More about Community Relations Officer jobs
What cities are hiring for Community Relations Officer jobs? Cities with the most Community Relations Officer job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Community Relations Officer jobs? The top employers for Community Relations Officer jobs are:
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Community Relations Officer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Community Relations Officer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, and 12% Part Time. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,807 per year, or $42.7 per hour.
Foundation Relations Officer

Foundation Relations Officer

Environmental Law & Policy Center

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

The Opportunity:
ELPC is looking to hire a dynamic Foundation Relations Officer who brings excellent writing skills together with the proven ability to expand an existing grants program and a passion for environmental protection.
About ELPC:
The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We drive transformational policy changes with national impacts.
We show that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together by putting sustainability principles into practice. We advance climate solutions effectively by accelerating clean renewable energy alternatives to conventional power plants and advancing clean transportation solutions. We protect the Great Lakes and defend the Midwest’s wild and natural places, and we fight for safe, clean water and healthy clean air for all. We combine effective public interest litigation with strategic policy advocacy, sound science, and economic analysis. ELPC produces strong results for the environment in the courtrooms, boardrooms, and legislative hearing rooms across the pivotal Midwest states and in Washington D.C. 
Come join our winning team of talented, mission-driven professionals, who passionately work together to protect the environment and natural resources in the Midwest region.
Title: Foundation Relations Officer
LOCATION:  Chicago, IL with a hybrid work environment that includes required days in the office each week
HOURS PER WEEK: Full time (40 hours/week)
REPORTS TO: Chief Development Officer
JOB SUMMARY: 
The Foundation Relations Officer will work to expand ELPC’s foundation grants program as well as manage a portfolio of current grants, which includes both institutional and family foundations at national, regional, and local levels. The incumbent will identify new funding opportunities, effectively engage with funders and foundation program officers, and write persuasive grant pitches and proposals. This position will also work with the Development Team and program staff on current grant reporting and proposal writing. As part of ELPC’s Development Team, this person will provide support for fundraising events and outreach activities as needed.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
  • Research, identify and develop new foundation prospects.
  • Proactively cultivate relationships with foundation staff and funders by representing ELPC at  a variety of events.
  • Produce well-written and compelling letters of inquiry and grant proposals in a timely manner and pitch them to funders to secure new funding.
  • Work with ELPC’s development team and program staff to prepare reports, other funding requirements, and renewal proposals in a timely manner.
  • Persuasively follow up on submissions to drive funding success.
  • Work with development team to successfully achieve overall fundraising goals, especially by increasing the number of secured grants and amount of revenue raised.
  • Work collaboratively with development team on fundraising events and campaigns throughout the year including the annual gala, year-end giving, and other fundraising efforts as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline
  • 4-6 years of development experience with a minimum of 2 years focused on foundation relations  and grant writing, ideally in the environmental space.
  • Demonstrated track record of foundation fundraising successes in achieving major grants.
  • Experience and connections within the Midwest environmental philanthropic sector is highly favorable.
 
 Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
  • An entrepreneurial approach to fundraising with a passion for ELPC’s mission.
  • Exceptional writing skills combined with careful attention to detail
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to follow up with current and prospective foundations in a timely manner
  • Good problem solving and negotiating skills.
  • Highly creative/innovative with abilities to persuade and influence others
  • Results oriented with ability to focus on and meet deadlines and goals.
  • Environmental knowledge and experience strongly preferred
  • Ability to operate independently as well as part of a regional and diverse team
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, especially Word
Estimated travel & related conditions:
  •  Ability to attend a variety of environmental events that may be breakfast or evening events.
  • Overnight travel is expected to be very occasional.
Salary
ELPC offers an attractive salary and benefits package, competitive to leading national environmental non-profits.  Depending on experience, salary ranges from $62,000 - $78,000.
Application Process:
Please upload a cover letter and resume when applying via our website (fine to combine the two documents). 
If we find a match between your experience and our needs, we will reach out for an interview.

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