Returning Citizens Liaison - Office of the Mayor
ABOUT THE SHEFFIELD ADMINISTRATION
Detroit is entering a historic new chapter under Mayor-Elect Mary Sheffield, the city’s first woman to serve as Mayor. Elected with a decisive mandate, Mayor-Elect Sheffield brings a steady, community-rooted approach to governing—one focused on listening to residents, healing long-standing divides, and delivering meaningful improvements in daily life across every neighborhood. She will take office on January 1, 2026, with a commitment to building a city that lifts every family and expands opportunity for all.
As she forms her administration, Mayor-Elect Sheffield is assembling a talented, diverse team of leaders who bring deep expertise, lived experience, and the courage to put forward bold, innovative ideas that move Detroit forward. Her team will drive a City government grounded in collaboration, equity, transparency, and results. The Sheffield Administration seeks mission-driven individuals who are ready to serve, ready to build, and ready to help shape Detroit’s future.
ABOUT THE OFFICE
The Office of the Mayor works to build a Detroit where every resident has equitable access to opportunity, stability, and pathways to prosperity. As part of the Sheffield Administration’s commitment to justice, dignity, and second chances, the City partners with community organizations, advocacy groups, employers, courts, and state agencies to support residents returning from incarceration. Detroit has one of the largest populations of returning citizens in Michigan, and their success is central to the city’s neighborhood strength, economic mobility, public safety, and long-term stability. The Returning Citizens Liaison helps ensure that the City’s systems, services, and policies are accessible, coordinated, and centered on the needs and aspirations of returning residents.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Reporting to the Chief of Neighborhood Affairs, the Returning Citizens Liaison serves as Detroit’s primary connector between returning citizens, reentry partners, community organizations, employers, and City departments. The role is responsible for elevating the voices and experiences of returning residents, supporting them in navigating city and community services, and helping coordinate cross-departmental efforts that remove barriers to housing, employment, identification, transportation, and economic opportunity. The Liaison also helps identify gaps in current systems, advises senior City leadership on reentry-related policy, and works to build a city where all returning residents feel welcomed, supported, and able to thrive. This role requires empathy, strong relationship-building skills, and a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and community healing.
This role will drive the administration’s priorities, including:
Expanding coordinated reentry pathways to housing, employment, training, and credential restoration
Strengthening partnerships with Detroit at Work, community organizations, employers, legal-aid providers, and reentry networks
Reducing structural barriers to housing, transportation, and identification for returning residents
Ensuring returning citizens are integrated into economic development, workforce, and neighborhood strategies
Improving access to mental health services, substance-use supports, and trauma-informed care
Supporting small-business development and entrepreneurship opportunities for returning residents
Identifying gaps in City systems and recommending policy or procedural reforms
Promoting dignity, inclusion, and resident-centered service delivery for all returning citizens
This description outlines the general nature and key responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive; duties, responsibilities, and activities may be modified at the discretion of the Mayor.
Core responsibilities include:
Serve as the City’s primary liaison for returning citizens and reentry partners
Provide direct support to returning residents navigating services, programs, and City departments
Coordinate with Detroit at Work to connect residents to training, apprenticeships, and good-paying jobs
Work with housing partners to expand access to safe, stable, and affordable housing options
Support residents seeking identification documents, court navigation, expungement resources, and compliance support
Identify systemic barriers and recommend policy, program, or process reforms to senior leadership
Maintain relationships with reentry organizations, faith-based partners, legal-aid providers, and neighborhood groups
Develop communication channels to keep returning citizens informed of opportunities and supports
Organize listening sessions, community meetings, and advisory tables to elevate returning-citizen voices
Track program outcomes, collect data, and develop reports that inform City strategy
Collaborate with economic development teams to advance entrepreneurship pathways for returning residents
Represent the Mayor’s Office at public meetings, community events, and statewide reentry conversations
Qualifications:
Experience working in reentry services, community advocacy, social work, workforce development, or related fields
Strong knowledge of the needs, barriers, and experiences of returning citizens
Ability to build trusting relationships with residents, service providers, employers, and government partners
Deep familiarity with Detroit’s neighborhoods, institutions, community organizations, and justice-involved populations
Commitment to equity, second-chance opportunities, and trauma-informed engagement
Experience navigating government or social-service systems
Strong communication, facilitation, and problem-solving skills
Ability to manage sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism
Experience working in Detroit or with Detroit-based populations strongly preferred
Rate of Pay: $60,000 – $80,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Benefits: Our goal is to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce by providing generous healthcare and other benefits to eligible employees. Learn more about benefits for City of Detroit employees.
Equal Opportunity in Employment: The Sheffield Administration is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above, we encourage you to apply if you believe you have the skills, experience, and expertise necessary to thrive in this role. The City of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates of all backgrounds—including those historically underrepresented in municipal government—to apply.