Community Engagement Specialist

Position Description
The Seattle Office of Housing (OH) increases opportunities for families of all incomes to live in our city. We manage investments in affordable housing and programs for developers to fund the preservation and production of affordable homes in Seattle. We also provide home repair and weatherization programs for lower-income residents. The Communications team provides communications support to all divisions in the Office of Housing and executes a departmental communications strategy that uplifts our missions, vision, and values.

To support this mission, we are looking for a Community Engagement Specialist who will be the bridge between the department and the communities we serve. You will develop and execute community engagement strategies and advise multiple divisions in the department on community engagement. You will also serve as the department's Language Access Liaison, which supports language access needs for many departmental communications. You'll work with a strong and creative team of Communications professionals who consistently deliver excellent products. We are a team of professionals who believe in a life/work balance. We are driven by the City's RSJI goals and implement them throughout our communications strategies, ensuring that we can reach all people who live and work in Seattle with our mission, vision, and values. You'll develop a community engagement strategy and work directly with community based organizations to educate the public on OH's policies, programs, and projects. You'll provide support and expertise to a variety of stakeholders and be a representative for OH in many different spaces
Job Responsibilities
In this role:
You will be successful if you feel passionate about:

• Helping diverse groups of people with housing equity.
• Having a commitment to racial and social equity in your professional or personal life.
• Solving problems creatively and legally through community engagement.
• Improving housing access through in person policy communication.

Your effectiveness in this role will depend on your ability to:

• Manage OH Community engagement strategy and language access program.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Serve as OH community liaison.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Create a robust strategy to engage diverse communities for all OH projects and programs.
• Coordinate and manage events and other in person opportunities for OH to attend.
• Liaise with policy advisors and community organizations on housing issues.
• Revamping the OH language access program and translating all OH materials.

You will feel prepared to take on this role if you have experience in:

• Able to communicate with and understand the housing needs of diverse Seattle communities.
• Familiarity with graphic design software such as Adobe Creative Suite or Canva to create content.
• Tracking work and projects in Smartsheet or similar project management software.
• Having a strong passion for housing related issues as seen through a racial/social equity lens.
• Navigating sensitive and political environments through in person community presentations.
• Understanding language justice principles when it comes to engagement with community groups.

Qualifications
In addition to the ability to perform the tasks described above, you will need to possess the below required qualifications (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).:

• Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field.
• One year professional experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, or other field involving the preparation and distribution of public information materials.
• Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

OR

• Associate degree in English, Journalism, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field.
• Two years professional experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, or other field involving the preparation and distribution of public information materials.
• Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

OR

• Three years professional experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, or other field.
• involving the preparation and distribution of public information materials.
• Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Additional Information
This overtime-eligible position is classified a Public Relations Specialist and reports to the Communications Manager.? The full pay range for this step-progression position is $34.47 - $40.08 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $34.47 hourly. Starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions for current City of Seattle employees.

The first round of interviews for this position are tentatively scheduled for Thursday, September 28 and Friday, September 29, with the second round taking place on Tuesday, October 3 or Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will be expected to be in-office twice a week. Individual schedules will be based on agreement between the employee and their supervisor.

Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans .

APPLICATION PROCESS:

To be considered for this position, you must submit your complete application, resume, cover letter and writing sample to https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle no later than 4:00pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. If you have questions, please contact Ira Becton ira.becton@seattle.gov

#LI-Hybrid

APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT: http://www.seattle.gov/jobs
Job #2023-01438 Digital Communications Specialist
IB If you are unable to apply on-line you may submit a paper application by the closing date to our office.

OUR OFFICE IS LOCATED AT:
Seattle Municipal Tower
700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500
Seattle, WA 98104

Careers@seattle.gov
Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, veterans and those with diverse life experiences.
Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request.
The City is a Drug Free Workplace.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
"Most" Employees Plans - Human Resources | seattle.gov

Closing Date/Time: 9/19/2023 4:00 PM Pacific