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Job #17-01164

SALARY: $60,904.00 - $76,130.00 Annually

OPENING DATE: 09/12/17
CLOSING DATE: 09/26/17, 5:00 PM

GENERAL PURPOSE:
Under general direction, 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 any and all circumstances regarding capital projects; coordinates and provides public information about capital projects; coordinates and develops strategies, goals, and objectives for public involvement, public information, and community relations programs and activities; creates materials for communicating information to the public via a variety of media sources; responds to a variety of public inquiries and constituent concerns; and plans and staffs a variety of community outreach events; identifies issues that may impact or affect 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 NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only 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 the community outreach program for assigned capital projects and activities; develops strategic communications plans for sensitive issues; develops and implements the strategic communications and outreach plans; and updates the plan as necessary.

• Serves as lead for assigned or specials projects; leads, coordinates, schedules, assigns, and inspects the daily work activities of assigned staff or consultants; and performs the more technical and complex tasks of the community outreach team.

• As assigned, performs duties related to construction outreach; serves as primary contract to communities and local businesses within project corridors, or adjacent to or impacted by construction projects; provides regular updates and visits to businesses; responds to complaints, resolves disputes, coordinates signage, initiates damage claims, and provides other business assistance as necessary.

• Serves as the primary point of contact between assigned projects and the people in the communities; walks construction areas in order to stay informed of project activities; informs interested parties during one-on-one visits about the projects and their schedules; evaluates and revises outreach plans as necessary; attends various community meetings to stay informed about projects and activities and to share knowledge with others; serves as liaison between construction work and the people who are impacted by the work; advises construction management and contractors on ways to avoid problems with residents; and resolves problems in an efficient and timely manner.

• Responds to a variety of public inquiries in a courteous manner; provides appropriate information within the area of assignment; responds quickly and effectively to incoming calls/emails regarding questions, comments, or complaints and resolves complaints in an efficient and timely manner; tracks issues/complaints in CRM.

• Attends and participates in meetings and committees related to community outreach; represents the assigned project area by participating on, and providing staff to support a variety of work groups, committees and task forces; develops agendas and writes speaking points; prepares and presents presentation materials, staff reports, and other documents as appropriate and necessary; responds to and resolves inquiries and complaints; maintains awareness of new developments in the field of community outreach; and incorporates new developments as appropriate into programs.

• Oversees and participates in the development and maintenance of community outreach materials, website materials and updates, and calendars for assigned department/division and/or projects and activities; drafts and edits a variety of public information materials including webpages, newsletters, flyers, pamphlets, and brochures; and designs and maintains fact sheets for projects; works with cooperating staff, editors, and graphics and print specialists to get materials produced and distributed; obtains necessary approvals.

• Plans and staffs a variety of community outreach events including fairs, festivals, groundbreakings, dedications, open houses, public hearings, and street teams; and provides information related to area of assignment; organizes and trains staff for attending events; coordinates all bus tours for the assigned projects; coordinates schedule and logistics with other ST staff, partnering agencies, internal construction staff, and other outside stakeholders; and prepares tour materials such as tour book, itineraries, proper personal protective gear, and visitor release forms.

• Sets up systems or processes that enable others to use and adapt outreach materials in a convenient and timely manner; produces and prepares a variety of reports for all tasks completed.

• Oversees small works or consulting contracts; 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.

• Serves on the 24-Hour on-call construction hotline as scheduled; responds to any and all calls that come; gathers information on the issue or question, works with assigned staff to resolve the current issue; follows up with the caller and ensures the information is logged in the CRM.

• Communicates regularly with colleagues, project directors, and other internal staff as necessary to keep them apprised of issues and progress, both internally and in the field; provides support to colleagues who need assistance, whether immediate teammates or across the agency.

• Provides support to the Community Outreach Supervisor, Director and others on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of committees as assigned; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:
Bachelors 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 Licenses or Certifications:
Possession of a valid Washington State Drivers License.

Required Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a community outreach program.

• Methods and techniques of public relations and community outreach.

• Operations, services, and activities of the capital projects, programs, and functional areas in order to provide community outreach program services.

• Advanced principles and techniques for the preparation and presentation of written and oral information.

• Public speaking principles and techniques for effective presentations to various audiences.

• Public relations methods and techniques.

• Transportation infrastructure projects.

• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

• Public sector procurement and contracting requirements.

• Customer service principles and practices.

• Methods and techniques of data collection, research, and report preparation.

• Principles and practices of record keeping and records management.

• Principles and practices of project development and administration.

• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.

• 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.

• Supervisory/lead principles, methods and techniques.

• Meeting facilitation and conflict resolution.

• Building and maintaining relationships.

Required Skill in:

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with community members, organizations, businesses, property owners and the general public.

• Applying principles and practices of public involvement and community outreach.

• Providing clear information to individuals and groups related to the assigned community outreach program.

• Public speaking and in developing and delivering presentations and presenting ideas and concepts orally and in writing.

• Distilling highly technical information into concise, easy to understand messages for public consumption.

• Utilizing personal computer software programs affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets and reports.

• 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.

• Fostering and developing community partnerships.

• Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.

• Applying project management techniques and principles.

• Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.

• Working effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.

• Applying appropriate oral and written communication techniques to various individuals ranging from Agency employees, the general public, elected officials, community leaders, and local, state, and federal agencies.

• Leading and delegating daily tasks, communicating, and providing feedback and work direction to assigned staff.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed in a standard office environment.

• 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, potential physical harm, and extreme noise when working at events and when 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.

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.

Apply online: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/soundtransit/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=1848376

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value workplace diversity. We seek to create an environment and culture that embraces the differences of our employees. You will find an exceptionally diverse group of people at Sound Transit with regard to culture, beliefs, communication styles, and life and work experiences.

All qualified applicants are considered in accordance with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, marital status or veteran status or any another legally protected status.