Community Engagement Specialist

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
Who We Are:
Capital Delivery Services ( CDS ) builds public projects to support the community. We do this by directly managing the City of Austin’s Capital Program with over 500 active projects, representing an investment of over $7 Billion. At CDS , we aim to create an environment that values diversity and adaptability and encourages staff at all levels to think creatively, experiment with new ideas, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
Our mission is to optimize delivery of quality capital projects through partnerships to create and equitable and sustainable community. Click here to visit our Facebook page to learn more about the Capital Delivery Services Department.

Why Join Us?
Meaningful Work Contribute to projects that improve the lives of the people in our community. Your work directly enables our department to deliver tangible construction projects throughout the city that will resonate for generations to come. Seeing results through a constructed project provides a sense of accomplishment and pride in your work. Innovation and Collaboration Collaborate with diverse and talented teams, leveraging technology, continuous improvement, and best practices to drive progress and embrace our One City - One Team - One Approach model of delivering capital projects. Professional Growth and Development Achieve your professional goals. CDS offers opportunities to advance in multiple career paths, including engineering, architecture, construction management, project planning and management, finance, business administration, process improvement, and data analytics. Education assistance is available through our tuition reimbursement program, and financial support for continuing education, licenses, and certifications is also available. Work-Life Balance Enjoy a balanced lifestyle in a city renowned for its quality of life, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences. Our employees also enjoy the ability to work up to 50% remotely, depending upon position and business needs.

Health and Wellness
The City of Austin is committed to providing cost-effective, sustainable benefits that assist employees in being physically and mentally healthy. For employees that are covered this includes low cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Click here to review the City of Austin’s Employee Benefits Guide.
To learn more about working with the City of Austin, click here to watch a short video!

Hybrid Work Environment:
The City of Austin Telework Program is designed to empower employees and leaders to establish hybrid work arrangements that promote high levels of performance and engagement. The City of Austin has an established work arrangement under which an employee is scheduled to work at least 3 days per week at their designated worksite. Some positions may require additional time at their designated worksite.

Position Description:
The Community Engagement Specialist will lead Capital Delivery Services’ community engagement efforts with the goal of engaging more residents or the business community in activities that contribute to the department’s goals. This position will be responsible for developing a speaker’s bureau, planning community events, developing relationships with neighborhoods, businesses and community leaders. This position will also develop a strategic plan for grassroots community outreach that supports the Department’s programs and goals.

Application Details:
A detailed, complete City of Austin employment application is required to help us better evaluate your qualifications. For each position, please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications. Please be thorough in completing the employment application and list all experience that is relevant to this position.
• This position does allow for a resume or cover letter to be included but relevant entries on your employment application will primarily be considered for interview qualification and compensation purposes.
• Supplemental information or changes to your application may not be accepted after the job posting closes so please be sure all relevant experience is listed in the application.
• If you are selected as the top candidate for a position, we may be contacting your current and former employer, as well as the references listed in your application. Please be sure you have listed at least 3 previous supervisors in the application with correct contact information.

Driving Requirement:
This position requires a Valid Texas Class “C” Driver’s License. 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

Additional Details:
• This position may require a skills assessment.
• If you are identified as a top candidate, verification of your education, which may include High School graduation or GED equivalent, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees, will be required.
• The Capital Delivery Services Department may close this job posting at any time after it has been advertised for seven (7) days, please apply as soon as possible if interested.
• This position is more than occasionally responsible for attendance at community events and meetings that can take place after traditional work hours and on weekends.

90 Day Provision for Additional Vacancy:
If the same or an additional vacancy occurs within the Public Works Department in the same job title within 90 days after the start date of the top candidate, the additional position may be offered to another top candidate from the same candidate pool. This may include filling other vacancies with the same job title in other division/work locations within the City of Austin Public Works Department. Decisions on assigned selection may be made at the time of hire based on the business needs of the department.
Pay Range
$30.29 - $37.86

Hours
Monday through Friday,
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Hours may vary depending on work demands and business needs.
Job Close Date 07/09/2024 Type of Posting External Department Capital Delivery Services Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 505 Barton Springs Road, Suite 800, Austin TX, 78704 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience planning and leading grassroots community outreach efforts.
• Experience working with diverse communities with varied cultural and language preferences.
• Experience leading community engagement programs, including giving presentations and participating in public outreach events.
• Experience collecting public input and analyzing the results to inform program and project planning.
• Bilingual (Spanish, written and oral).
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations

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?

• Yes
• No

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

• Yes
• No

* 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 moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* Please describe your experience planning and leading grassroots community outreach efforts.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience working with diverse communities with varied cultural and language preferences.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience leading community engagement programs, including giving presentations and participating in public outreach events.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience collecting public input and analyzing the results to inform program and project planning.
(Open Ended Question)
* Are you bilingual with the ability to fluently speak and write in both English and Spanish?

• Yes
• No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Resume Cover Letter Optional Documents

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