Senior Public Engagement Specialist

March 21, 2022 7:05 PM | Dina Alengi Storz (Administrator)

The position is open until filled and the review of applications has been extended until March 28, 2022.

Regular Full-time, 40 hours per week; Exempt FLSA status.

The starting salary will generally range from $85,000 - $92,000 annually, DOE, with full benefits.

Puget Sound Regional Council; Downtown Seattle, Washington; The position may be eligible for hybrid or remote work (within Washington state).

The Puget Sound Regional Council is the regional transportation, growth management and economic development planning agency serving Seattle and the central Puget Sound. The thriving region is home to over 4 million people and is one of the nation’s fastest growing metropolitan areas. PSRC brings together the region’s counties, cities and towns, native tribes, ports, the state of Washington and civic interests to understand the challenges facing our region’s future and make plans for the region to continue to succeed. The agency serves as the region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization and plays the leading regional role in growth management and economic development under state and federal laws. PSRC seeks to support an inclusive region and build a work culture which embraces diversity and promotes equity. Visit www.psrc.org to find out more.

PSRC is seeking an experienced candidate to work collaboratively with staff across the agency on a wide range of outreach and engagement activities. Reporting to the Program Manager for Equity Policy and Initiatives, this position will provide daily oversight for PSRC’s community engagement. The Senior Public Engagement Specialist will lead the development of engagement strategies for the region’s long-range plans – VISION 2050 and the Regional Transportation Plan – for the Regional Economic Strategy, and for PSRC’s funding programs. The position will also provide staff support on agency-wide initiatives or events that involve the public, local, state, and regional stakeholders and community groups. Additionally, this position will periodically update PSRC’s Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan and Title VI Plan in accordance with federal requirements, and work as part of a team on the development and implementation PSRC’s Regional Equity Strategy, which includes support of the agency’s Equity Advisory Committee.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• A passion for communicating with the public.
• A deep commitment to effectively engage people who are historically marginalized, underserved, disproportionately impacted, and seldom heard. This includes people affected by racism, bias, poverty, limited-English proficiency, disability, and immigration.
• Extensive knowledge of communication and engagement principles, methods, practices, and techniques.
• The ability to develop and nurture productive relationships with PSRC’s member jurisdictions and community-based organizations, especially those who serve harder-to-reach and historically underserved people.
• Comfort and experience in facilitating group discussions and conversations.
• An interest in developing innovative ways to engage the public with digital and transitional methods.
• Experience advising management and staff on emerging community engagement concerns.
• Familiarity with urban planning and transportation issues and/or public policy.
  
  

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Include

• Strong oral and written communications skills.
• Ability to use communication to advance programs and policy objectives.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Familiarity with state and federal laws, regulations, policy, and guidance for public involvement, including evolving practices relating to environmental justice.
• Demonstrated ability to turn technical documents into readable, user-friendly materials for non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively with agency staff, other agencies, and the public.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Public Policy, Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Human Services, or a related field.
• Four years increasingly responsible experience working in planning, government relations, community relations, or public involvement that includes leading outreach projects within a diverse community.
• Or, any combination of lived experience or education experience in a related field that would provide the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the job.
  
  

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Fluency in a language other than English widely spoken in the central Puget Sound region, preferably Spanish.
  
  

To be considered, applicants must submit a cover letter and resume as part of the application process and apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/psrc.

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