Labor Classification: Consultant I

Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Employment Status: Bench/Part-time (less than 20 hours per week), hybrid

Reports to: Language Services Program Manager

Summary:

This position offers language and cultural strategy support when working with Spanish-speaking communities primarily in the Baltimore area and occasionally in DC, and other cities in Maryland and Virginia. This is an hourly bench position within PRR’s Client Services department, which means this person will work on an on-call, hourly basis to staff meetings and events as needed, which may happen after work hours and on weekends when there is a need. PRR’s clients are primarily government/public sector agencies in the fields of transportation, environment, and urban planning and development.

This position provides strategic communications guidance on outreach to Spanish-speaking communities, and performs in-person community outreach at events that take place in or near predominately Hispanic communities. This position will support the Language Services program and other internal teams in providing cultural and linguistic insights about the Hispanic communities in Baltimore as well as in staffing outreach events and executing other community engagement activities where Spanish services are needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Community Engagement

• Support public engagement and outreach events so that community members can interact in Spanish. These engagement and outreach events may include tabling, event staffing, community meetings and others.
• Support in the implementation and execution of communications and community engagement plans, including using strategies and tactics to reach historically underserved populations
• Support equitable community engagement initiatives to meaningfully involve historically underserved communities in decision-making, including people of who are Black, people who are Indigenous, and people of color, people with disabilities, people living in poverty, people who use languages other than English
• Take meeting notes, and prepare meeting summaries or minutes as needed
• Respond to questions and correspondence from community members
• Escalate concerns and feedback to the project team or Language Services Program Manager
• Occasionally facilitate focus groups in Spanish

Cultural Strategy and Language Services

• Offer clients and project teams key insights into cultural and language needs for target communities
• Provide interpretation (primarily consecutive) at meetings or events and with individuals, as needed.
• Occasionally translate or review Spanish texts for accuracy and culturally relevant content.
• Recommend translation, interpretation, and communications media for target populations appropriate to client needs
• There may be occasional need to record in-language voice-overs for videos
• Project management support
• Support multiple project teams
• Complete tasks within scope, schedule, and budget for projects
• Ensure work is on time, on budget, and on target with objectives; troubleshoot any issues as they arise

Client Relations

• Support effective working relationships with clients, community-based organizations, and communities
• Provide excellent customer service
• Provide strategic guidance to project team
• Set and maintain the highest client service standards
• Provide responsive and timely information to the project team and Language Services Program Manager
• Maintain confidentiality of client information

Administrative

• Complete timesheets and expense reports on time and with accurate information
• Other admin support as needed

Experience/Education

• This is an entry level position designed for someone who is interested in exploring the community engagement profession with a focus on Hispanic communities.
• College coursework in language services, communications, marketing, or public relations or equivalent experience in communications or related discipline

Skills Required

• Written and verbal proficiency in English and Spanish (a Spanish test will be required)
• Commitment to providing access to limited English proficient communities
• Knowledge of the diverse communities who speak Spanish and how they relate with government
• Ability to translate complex information into everyday English and Spanish
• Commitment to bringing quality work to Spanish-speaking populations
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds
• Comfort working in a variety of settings, including in-office, remote settings or out in the community
• Strong work ethic and ability to take initiative and work independently and efficiently
• Ability to stay on task and meet deadlinesin a deadline-driven environment
• Proficient with PCs and MS software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to quickly learn new software, including translation management systems (TMS)

Desirable, but not Essential, Skills and Interests

• Experience working with historically underserved communities highly desired
• Experience in the language services industry highly desired
• Experience working in customer or client service and/or the public sector
• Interest in planning, transportation infrastructure, transportation, water quality, and/or environmental sustainability
• Experience planning and staffing events
• Knowledge of CAT or TMS tools such as Phrase
• An interpreter certification
• Valid driver’s license

Compensation and Bench Status

This is a "bench" position, meaning it is a non-benefitted, part-time, hourly role. Hours are not guaranteed and would fluctuate based on the needs of projects. Some weekend and evening hours should be expected. We aim to hire new employees between $32 to $40 per hour (depending on experience) allowing for future compensation growth within the range based on aptitude in the role, context, progress, and performance against goals over time.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be expected to work extended hours; including, but not limited to, standing or sitting for extended periods. The employee may have to occasionally lift, push, pull over 30 pounds. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee will regularly operate office equipment.

PRR, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.

PRR is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a diverse and inclusive environment. We endeavor to build a team that reflects the diversity and intersectionality of the communities we serve. People of color, multilingual, LGBTQIA, and veteran candidates as well as individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.