Public Engagement Specialist

Fort Collins Utilities is recruiting a full-time Public Engagement Specialist to be part of a creative and dedicated Community Engagement Team. The ideal candidate is someone who has experience planning, facilitating, and evaluating education and outreach programs for diverse audiences. There is also a strong project management component with this position. 

Develops, organizes, coordinates, delivers, and evaluates programs related to Utilities services and messaging. There is a strong project management component to this position connected to the planning of education, outreach, public information, and public involvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Develops and implements programs to educate community members and stakeholders about City strategies and resources.
• Creates educational activities and lesson plans that reflect a variety of program delivery models.
• Schedules and conducts public education and outreach to diverse audiences.
• Plans, leads and evaluates activities for diverse audiences including presentations, events, workshops, classes, and business outreach.
• Prepares, designs, disseminates and evaluates audience-appropriate messaging, materials, and related marketing, educational and informational campaigns.
• Creates, administers, and maintains strategic sponsorships and partnerships to foster an engaged community.
• Manages stakeholders for effective relationships with community groups, organizations, neighborhoods, and internal City departments.
• Provides support and advice on community engagement techniques that lead to the successful implementation of processes, projects or programs.
• Meets deadlines and uses time, materials, and resources efficiently and cost-effectively.
• Researches and resolves complex disputes and operations problems based on stakeholder engagement techniques.
• Supports internal City work teams by assisting with development and implementation of outreach strategies, engagement activities, and focused messaging.
• Coordinates volunteers including recruitment, placing, training, retention activities, project supervision and logistics, safety, recognition, communication and evaluation. Creates policies and programs to manage and support volunteers in partnership with the Citywide Volunteer Program Manager.
• May manage grant projects including tracking funding and reporting.
• Uses appropriate safety practices.
• Maintains equipment and inventory and prepares supplies for activities.
• Collects, compiles and reports program data and survey results.
• Assists with work planning, budget preparation and record-keeping.
• May actively solicit, write, and manage grants in partnership with City Grants Development Specialist.
• May direct the work of interns or volunteers.

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of educational learning styles and communication techniques that are audience-appropriate.
• Demonstrated knowledge of curriculum development, including forming instructional objectives and selecting appropriate materials.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing. Effective public speaking skills.
• Capable of working as a member of a team, as well as independently.
• Knowledge of principles of interpretation and public outreach.
• Understanding of effective public relations, marketing, and promotional concepts and objectives.
• Ability to deal with stressful situations and deadlines.
• Proven skills facilitating or leading discussions with a variety of groups.
• Ability to interact with members of City staff, other agencies, and general public.
• Competent in use of publishing, graphics, web page editing, Excel, presentation, social networking, volunteer management, and word processing software.
• Excellent customer service, presentation, communication and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive internal and external relationships.
• Ability to train and mentor volunteers, use volunteer management software, manage groups, communicate effectively, and accept and give feedback.
• Skills in evaluating public engagement activities and learners including quality and outcome-based metrics.
• Ability to drive vans that hold 10 or more people.

Required Education

MINIMUM/PREFERRED EDUCATION LEVEL
Minimum  Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in business, non-profit management, environmental science, education, natural resources, or related field.

Experience Requirements

At least three (3) years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training

Bilingual, valid Colorado driver's license, Certified Interpretive Guide or Trainer (National Association for Interpretation), and Environmental Educator certification (Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education) preferred.

How to apply:

Application deadline is 3:00 p.m. MT on 5/31/2022.

Create a profile and apply on the City of Fort Collins Career Site