Community Engagement Specialist

Austin, TX

marketing community engagement

Job description

Posting Title

Job Requisition Number

COA091347

Position Number

119080

Job Type

Full-Time

Division Name

Public Information

Minimum Qualifications

Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

Graduation from a four (4) year college or university with major coursework in Public Relations, Communications, Public Administration, Political Science, or a closely related field plus three (3) years of experience involving the development and coordination of public information or community outreach or involvement programs, or;
Masters Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Relations, Public Administration, Communications, Conflict Resolution, Peace Studies, or a closely related field plus one (1) year of experience involving the development and coordination of public information or community outreach or involvement programs, or;
Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

Valid Texas driver’s license

Notes to Applicants

Working with Austin Water provides a number of benefits including medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications. Please include contact information from previous employers.
A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job title and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered.
A resume is required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Please do not use the phrase “see resume” or refer to other documents to complete your application. Do not leave the “Duties and Responsibilities” sections blank. These will be considered incomplete applications. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
A cover letter is also required. In the cover letter, candidates should describe in concise detail their interest in this position and highlight any prior experience that is relevant to this position.

If you are selected for hire:

Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) is required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization or institution. You must also provide proof of your professional licenses or certifications.
If you are in the military or are a military veteran, you will need to provide a copy of the Member 4 page of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.

Driving Requirement:

This position requires a Valid Texas driver’s license or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

Secondary Employment:

All Austin Water employees are prohibited from accepting or engaging in any secondary employment that might conflict or interfere with an employee’s duty and responsibility to the Department.
Austin Water must review all secondary employment.
Employees are required to submit a Secondary Employment Application for review and approval upon being hired with Austin Water, as well as current Austin Water employees considering secondary employment.

Effective October 1, 2014, all Austin Water worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any AW worksite – including construction sites, parking lot, garage or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.

Pay Range

$30.29 – $37.86

Hours

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday – Friday with limited flexibility, occasional evening/weekend hours. Hybrid telework schedule available.

Job Close Date

04/18/2024

Type of Posting

External

Department

Austin Water Utility

Regular/Temporary

Regular

Grant Funded or Pooled Position

Not Applicable

Category

Professional

Location

Waller Creek Center, 625 E. 10th St. Austin, TX 78701

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Experience:

Experience working collaboratively, effectively and constructively with multiple departments and community partner organizations.
Experience facilitating public dialogue, community events, and building consensus among stakeholders.
Experience utilizing conflict resolution, de-escalation, and negotiation tactics.
Experience using online platforms for engagement and public meetings (examples- Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Public Input, etc.)
Experience developing communication strategies and messaging toward targeted communities and stakeholder groups.
Experience in event planning and community outreach coordination.
Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Bilingual (English and Spanish)

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Assists with the planning, development, and implementation of strategies and programs to help facilitate community involvement with City departments, programs and initiatives.
Researches and helps develop and implement City policies, procedures, and protocol designed to engage community input on various City programs and initiatives.
Researches best practices in community engagement nationally and globally and briefs staff on these best practices.
Maintains a database of community organizations, publications/media outlets, and large events (festivals, sporting events, etc.) to assist with outreach opportunities.
Maintains an email and phone database of participants in engagement events to inform of past and future opportunities to engage.
Monitors digital engagement on SpeakUpAustin.org, social media, phone messages, text messages, etc., and moderates online discussions as needed.
Helps conduct neighborhood need assessments, meets with neighborhood residents, leaders, and community groups to identify needs and available resources.
Assists with the facilitation of public dialogues and consensus building to identify and resolve issues between the City and various community stakeholders; assistance may include securing venues, arranging for language interpreters, greeting attendees, and note-taking. May also facilitate such dialogues.
Assesses various community concerns, values, and opinions on City projects, programs, and initiatives, and presents findings to City staff.
Keeps accurate records of comments made by public in meetings and other settings (online forum, etc.), analyzes, and summarizes key themes and findings.
Consults with City staff to develop and implement public information training materials, bulletins, and presentations.
Assists with maintaining effective relationships with community leaders, City Officials, the media, and the general public.
Helps track community issues through various media such as written reports, conferences and community meetings.
Plans forums, walking tours, conferences and other community events and meetings with City staff.
Conducts community research and responses to technical documents issued by City departments, developers and other jurisdictions.
May represent the City at Council meetings, boards and commissions, and community events as needed.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

May train and lead others as well as oversee the work of student interns or temporary employees.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

Knowledge of community organizing and neighborhood development techniques.
Knowledge of city practices, policies, and procedures.
Skill in planning, organizing, and time management.
Skill in data analysis, problem solving, and summary of key findings and conclusions.
Skill in using computers and related software.
Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in interpersonal communication.
Ability to review and research large volume of materials and summarize in easily comprehensible formats for City staff.
Ability to develop new initiatives and work with service providers to plan and coordinate services.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other city employees and the public.
Ability to work with community representatives to identify and address local needs.
Ability to use conflict resolution and negotiation.
Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
Ability to work well with individuals from a variety of different backgrounds and experience, including community leaders, residents, service providers, local officials and elected representatives.

Criminal Background Investigation

This position does not require a Criminal Background Investigation

EEO/ADA

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within

the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* The minimum qualifications for this position are graduation from a four (4) year college or university with major coursework in Public Relations, Communications, Public Administration, Political Science, or a closely related field plus three (3) years of experience involving the development and coordination of public information or community outreach or involvement programs, or; a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Relations, Public Administration, Communications, Conflict Resolution, Peace Studies, or a closely related field plus one (1) year of experience involving the development and coordination of public information or community outreach or involvement programs. Experience may substitute for education up to the maximum of four (4) years. Do you meet the minimum qualifications for this position?

* How many years of experience do you have working collaboratively, effectively and constructively with multiple departments and community partner organizations?

None
Less than one (1) year
One (1) to three (3) years
Four (4) to six (6) years
More than six (6) years

* How many years of experience do you have utilizing conflict resolution, de-escalation and negotiation tactics?

None
Less than one (1) year
One (1) to three (3) years
Four (4) to six (6) years
More than six (6) years

* How many years of experience do you have with group facilitation of public dialogue, community events and building consensus among stakeholders?

None
Less than one (1) year
One (1) to three (3) years
Four (4) to six (6) years
More than six (6) years

* Do you have experience using online platforms/tools to engage with diverse audiences?

* Do you have experience developing communication strategies and messaging toward key identified communities and stakeholder groups?

* Select the statement that best describes your English/Spanish bilingual skills.

Speak, read, and write in both languages fluently.
Speak English and Spanish fluently.
Speak some Spanish.
Fluent in English only.

* This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License. Do you have a valid Texas Class C Driver license or, if selected for this position, do you the ability to acquire a valid Texas Class C Driver license by your hire date?

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that external new hires meet the City's Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three (3) moving violations or a total of six (6) Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

* Were you referred to this opportunity by an Austin Water employee? If yes, please provide the employee’s full name.

(Open Ended Question)

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents

Cover Letter
Resume