Under general supervision, the Community Engagement Specialist will perform a variety of professional, technical, and administrative activities in support of the City’s communications and community engagement programs, Neighborhood Associations, and staff the Youth Advisory Commission and Citizen Involvement Committee. Responsibilities will include providing technical assistance to Communications and City Manager’s office staff; coordinating volunteers throughout the city; staffing and supporting assigned boards/commissions; providing customer service; and performing related duties as assigned.

The Community Engagement Specialist will perform a variety of duties aimed at increasing public engagement, information sharing, partnerships, and open lines of communication in order to improve quality of life for Oregon City residents. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with department and City personnel as well as the general public. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment and in a variety of settings within the community. This is a non-exempt position and is subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement.

The list of duties is a representative sample of the work appropriate to this class and does not include all the duties or specific tasks that may be assigned to a particular position. The incumbent may perform a combination of some or all the following duties:

• Devise and coordinate community engagement and outreach activities to ensure effective engagement with the public about the policies, plans and work of Government.
• Increase the community's understanding and input on policies projects, and programs.
• Ensure that the needs of culturally and economically diverse communities are met and work to identify and eliminate existing barriers to participation.
• Develop, monitor, coordinate, and support engagement efforts on a wide range of issues and decision points; participate in civic dialogues to monitor community conversations.
• Support, coordinate and staff City boards, committees, and commissions, including lead outreach and enrollment of participants.
• Coordinate and manage city volunteers and volunteer efforts, as assigned.
• Attend community meetings and events to interface with community leaders and residents to share City information and relay resident concerns back to City leadership.
• Represent Oregon City in local business, government partners, and civic organizations, develop contacts and serve as liaison to more effectively engage the public, and to enhance opportunities for participatory decision-making in the work of Oregon City Government.
• Understand city services to be able to effectively share the information at community meetings and events.
• Work with Communications Manager to identify opportunities to amplify the leadership and stories of leaders as experts through experience or collaborative partnerships.
• Plan and coordinate a wide variety of community special projects and City-sponsored events and initiatives; prepare and deliver presentations and reports to community and neighborhood groups.
• Develop and maintain databases of contacts for all constituent groups including internal audiences and external audiences and regularly communicate with these groups.
• Help monitor and utilize social media and online tools to promote community projects and engagement initiatives, and coordinate responses for online discussions.
• Manage and follow-up online by tracking sentiment and responses.
• Conduct surveys, analyze data, and write reports.
• Keep immediate supervisor and others, as designated, accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Respond to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
• Coordinate use of City meeting space by neighborhood associations.
• Perform other duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.

Knowledge of

• Community outreach programs and service.
• Principles, methods, and practices of communication and engagement in a public agency setting.
• Public speaking techniques.
• Computer technology with regards to community input (surveys, etc.), data collection, and recordkeeping.
• Customer service principles.
• Community/civic organizations, businesses, and key community leaders and positions.
• Applicable laws, rules, and regulations and public administration principles.

Skills and Abilities to

• Use mass media techniques such as newspaper writing, TV, and video educational presentations.
• Utilize graphic design software.
• Plan and organize collaborative efforts.
• Use computers and applicable software.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Work with all levels of employees and citizens in the City, and communicate effectively with various participants in joint initiatives.
• Proof and edit program materials; utilize appropriate grammar, spelling and punctuation to prepare professional correspondence.
• Communicate and demonstrate effective interpersonal skills in interactions with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc.
• Convey technical information to others, review performance, use patience and sensitivity in dealing with customers, and promote a positive image of The City and its services.

Education, Training, and Experience

A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be to obtain a bachelor’s degree in communications, public administration or related field or a combination of training and experience to provide the required knowledge and skills, preferably in the public sector. Any combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Other Requirements

• Must pass a criminal background check.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Working conditions/Physical and Mental Demands

The position incumbent must be able to function indoors in an office environment engaged in work of primarily a sedentary nature. Requires ambulatory ability to sit, often for long periods of time, and move to various department locations on an occasional basis. Requires the near visual acuity to read printed materials and microcomputer screen. Requires auditory ability to carry on conversations in person and over the phone. Requires the ability to retrieve work materials. Requires manual and finger dexterity to write and keyboard at an acceptable rate and operate microcomputer, and other office equipment, almost constantly requiring repetitive motions.

This job/class description describes the general nature of the work performed, representative duties as well as the typical qualifications needed for acceptable performance. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, work steps, and skills required of the job.

The City of Oregon City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity: People of underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made or any other status protected by law. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.