Salary range is $55K to $130k, with a midpoint of $85k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitivebenefits packagewith a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE: Under general direction, the Community Engagement Specialist devises, coordinates and oversees the community outreach programs for assigned projects within their geographic areas during the planning, design and construction of Sound Transit’s capital projects; serves as a liaison and point of contact between Sound Transit (ST) and members of the community for anything regarding capital projects; coordinates and provides public information about capital projects; coordinates and develops strategies, goals, and tactics for public involvement, public information, and community relations programs activities; creates materials responds to public inquiries and constituent concerns; and plans and staffs community outreach events; identifies issues that may impact construction neighbors and takes appropriate action to avoid or minimize problems; and responds to construction community hotline 24-7 when scheduled.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Oversees and executes the community engagement activities by establishing and coordinating a multi-disciplinary matrixed workgroup
• Evaluates your work through a lens of social and racial equity to improve upon existing practices. Applying equity and social justice principles is a foundational expectation for the community engagement team at Sound Transit. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work on a daily basis.
• Establishes and implements communication strategies for assigned capital projects. Evaluates and recommends the most effective strategy for reaching the intended audience with appropriate messages, including meetings, tours and other events as well as materials. Creates presentations and speaks publicly. Writes a variety of public communication pieces including newsletters, construction alerts, brochures, postcards, websites, staff reports, etc. Creates and implements public involvement plans. Makes recommendations to project staff about the appropriate activities. Plans, organizes, and attends public events, community group briefings, and other input gathering activities. Recommends methods for collecting input online. Attends public events, open houses, and community gatherings. Collects, synthesizes and reports on public input. 
• Advocates customer-focused responses to constituent issues; advises senior management and collaborates with consultants, construction contractors and construction management staff in order to address community concerns. 
• Serves as primary point of contact for affected public and stakeholders on projects. Regularly visits impacted properties in-person, serves on a 24-hour construction hotline on a rotating basis, and responds to incoming inquiries.
• Oversees small works or consulting contracts as necessary; monitors and oversees the contractor/consultant in terms of time management and billing, review of work projects, and correspondence between the consultants and other outside the agency staff who are working within the program.
• Assists senior engagement staff in creating processes, policies and procedures related to community engagement.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Affairs, Public Administration, English, or closely related field and four years of experience working in community outreach, community relations, or public relations that includes leading outreach or public relations projects within a diverse urban community; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Operations, services, and activities of a community outreach program.
• Methods and techniques of public relations and integrated communications.
• Operations, services, and activities of the transit operations and capital projects, programs, and functional areas. Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Public sector procurement and contracting requirements.
• Customer service principles and practices.
• Principles and practices of project development and administration.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Meeting facilitation and conflict resolution.
• Establishing and maintaining effective and collaborative working relationships with community members, organizations, businesses, property owners and the general public.
• Developing and delivering clear, engaging presentations. Distilling highly technical information into concise, easy to understand messages for public consumption. 
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Effectively representing Agency programs in contacts with the public, businesses, community organizations, and other government agencies.
• Project management including ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and organizing work to meet changing priorities and deadlines and facilitating work of a matrixed team.
• Applying appropriate communication techniques to various individuals ranging from Agency employees, the general public, elected officials, community leaders, and local, state, and federal agencies.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard office and field environment.
• This role will often set up for events, install signage and other physical tasks.
• Subject to standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and lifting of objects up to 25 pounds; may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, and extreme noise when conducting site visits and working in the field. 
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.