The incumbent will lead the Community Engagement Division within the Department of Communications and Community Engagement. The incumbent will work with the department director to create and implement the city’s community engagement strategic plan. The plan will outline how the city will engage with the existing community networks, identify disengaged populations, and build community partnerships by developing avenues for the city to receive input, disseminate information, and collaborate and collect feedback from the community. In addition to working with city departments to implement the community engagement strategic plan, the incumbent will create community engagement opportunities for the Mayor and Council.
The incumbent will be responsible for facilitating collaboration between the Community Engagement Division and the Communications Division to determine which outreach tools to use for the city's community engagement efforts. The incumbent will supervise the work of staff who engage with the community on projects and programs and other initiatives.
The incumbent is responsible for performing difficult professional and intermediate administrative work, acting as an ombudsperson and liaison between neighborhood groups and the City of Rockville. The work includes identifying and communicating the community's needs and concerns to city departments, as well as assessing, coordinating, and facilitating the delivery of information on city projects, programs, and services to create a process of engagement with the community.
This role involves taking a proactive and occasionally influential approach to develop strategies that improve information flow and resident participation. It also requires keeping all relevant parties informed about on going neighborhood projects, issues, and planning and development initiatives. The position involves developing and implementing programs and has significant implications for service delivery. Regular attendance at evening and weekend meetings is required
Essential Job FunctionsCommunity Engagement Plan Development
Lead the development and implementation of the citywide community engagement strategic plan using best practices.
Liaise with city departments and facilitate the development of community engagement plans for projects, programs, initiatives, and events using best practices to ensure consistency.
Community Engagement Strategy Implementation
Monitor community engagement activities, contribute to reports, and participate in the development of program evaluation projects.
Create and implement processes for information exchange among residents, city staff and other stakeholders to strengthen relationships and obtain stakeholder perspective on issues, policy decisions, and policy implementation.
Build community in the City to improve the quality of life by engaging residents to identify and resolve neighborhood issues, empower neighborhood residents to build relationships, and foster opportunities for capacity building.
Assist individuals and neighborhood groups with the resolution of issues; serve as point of contact, providing information and recommendations; assist groups to effectively utilize established processes to resolve problems; function as mediator and group facilitator in a variety of situations and, occasionally, facilitate neighborhood meetings.
Create, develop, implement policies and procedures designed to facilitate the acceptance and appreciation of the City’s projects and programs.
Assess various community concerns, values, and opinions on City projects, programs, and initiatives and presents findings to City staff.
Review various applications submitted for city-sponsored engagement activities in assigned neighborhoods.
Provide advice and information to communities, including publishing and distributing informational items.
Attends neighborhood meetings and other special functions and coordinates timely presentations by other City staff.
Serve on committees and task forces, as needed.
Training Activities
Provide training and learning opportunities to staff on best practice for public participation/community engagement
Performs other related work as assigned or as directed by supervisor
QualificationsEducation and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in social sciences, public administration, public relations, political science, community planning or closely related field from an accredited university or college; and five 05) years of progressively responsible work in public participation, consensus building, public processes with neighborhood or community organizations; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
Demonstrated experience in community engagement and a strong track record of collaboration with diverse individuals, groups and interests.
Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesKnowledge of program management and policy development.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of citizen participation.
Knowledge of strategic planning, including ability to design and lead a strategic planning process.
Ability to research problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of organization-wide and departmental goals.
Ability to foster collaboration I and resolve issues.
Ability to analyze the needs of the community and the organization and to develop programs to meet those needs.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, officials and employees.
Ability to function as a team leader and a team member.
Ability to design and teach training programs using principle of adultlearning..
Ability to communicate effectively both written and orally.
Ability to maintain and organize workload to successfully complete multiple tasks.