Community Engagement Specialist

 

DESCRIPTION:

 

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) seeks candidates for the position of Community Engagement Specialist. This person will implement comprehensive and inclusive community engagement strategies for the agency’s projects and initiatives. The Specialist will create opportunities for participatory, collaborative, and meaningful community engagement. This work includes creating hands-on outreach activities, planning public events, designing and facilitating public meetings and focus groups, and mobilizing new and existing partners in the Greater Boston region. Most importantly, this role ensures that engagement opportunities are just, accessible, and empowering and that residents and stakeholders feel they have a voice in their community’s future.
The Community Engagement Specialist will join the agency’s Department of Community Engagement. The individual will work across the agency with MAPC staff from various departments as well as provide municipalities and organizations with engagement expertise and support. They will support MAPC’s commitment to inclusive community engagement, equity, smart growth, and regional collaboration.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES (including but not limited to):

 

• Implement comprehensive and inclusive community engagement strategies that utilize creative outreach techniques with a special focus on the inclusion of groups that have been under-represented in the planning process.
• Assist MAPC project managers with outreach activities, planning public events, and mobilize new and existing allies for specific planning projects.
• Facilitate virtual, hybrid or in-person public events, meetings and focus groups (includes forums, briefings, workshops, walking tours, and “placemaking” events).
• Network with new or current partners and connect them to MAPC’s new regional plan (MetroCommon).
• Help to train MAPC staff and external partners in effective and inclusive community engagement techniques.
• Identify and implement new and emerging practices in outreach and engagement as well as track and evaluate approaches used at MAPC.
• Maintain organized and accurate records, including contact information and meeting notes.
• Coordinate interpretation and translation services for public meetings.
• Provide digital event design, facilitation, and technical support.

Evening meetings, occasional weekend meetings and local travel are a responsibility for this position. MAPC does not require that you have a vehicle; however, you must have a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC provides support for travel, including MBTA passes, a Zipcar account, and Blue Bikes membership.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Candidates for this position should have a proven track record of at least 1-3 years working with diverse constituencies, preferably in both an urban and suburban setting. Bachelor’s degree preferred in a relevant field, such as city and regional planning, communications, community engagement, education, organizing, public policy, social work.

Successful candidates for this position will demonstrate all or most of the following:

 

• Experience interacting with and mobilizing people from diverse populations in a wide variety of settings, including communities of color, different ethnic populations, a variety of incomes, ages and differing levels of educational attainment.
• Ability to effectively convene and facilitate meetings, meeting management skills and experience in planning events.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse constituencies, preferably in both urban and suburban settings.
• Experience working independently, collaborating with teams, communicating clearly and concisely (both in writing and verbally), and speaking in public.
• Excellent organizational skills, including workload management and the ability to complete tasks with minimum supervision.
• Ability to work within a team and take initiative to direct self and others.
• Proficiency in using key computer software including Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Adobe products such as In Design.
• Proficiency using virtual meeting tools such as Zoom.

 

Preferred:

 

• Experience working in the metro Boston region with a developed network of community-based organizations and/or municipal partners.
• Experience working on issues relating to smart growth, land use, housing planning or municipal government in Massachusetts.
• Proficiency speaking at least one language other than English such as Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, or Haitian Creole.
• Experience using dynamic engagement platforms to engage various stakeholders.
• Proficiency managing databases.