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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOutreach & Engagement SpecialistUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review) CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: Outreach & Engagement Specialist Department: City Manager’s Office Division: Communications Supervisor: Communications Coordinator FLSA: Non-Exempt Civil Service: Yes Pay Grade: 12 Job Number: 1222 Job Summary Under direction, develops and sustains community relationships with variety of diverse stakeholder groups, including neighborhoods, community organizations, non-profits, and local educational institutions. Provides regular communications to neighborhood groups and serves as a point of contact for neighborhood concerns and projects. Manages grant programs for neighborhood projects. Collaborates with City departments and divisions to plan and execute equitable outreach and events. Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. • Advises and assists in equitable planning and execution of City events and engagement activities with partners from across the City organization, community partners and neighborhood groups. • Develops and sustains community relationships with a variety of diverse stakeholder groups, including neighborhoods, community organizations, non-profits and local educational institutions. • Provides regular outreach to neighborhood groups and organizations to increase communication and engagement with the City. • Keeps neighborhood groups informed of impactful City activities, projects and programs. • Creates digital content to engage with residents; writes news releases; posts relevant content to social media and provides follow-up to questions; manages related website content. • Serves as liaison to Neighborhood Council. • Collaborates with City departments to coordinate neighborhood initiatives, events or requests using a team-oriented approach. • Attends and participates in community partnership meetings, neighborhood meetings and community events. • Administers small grants for community improvement through neighborhood grant programs. • Represents the City at various public events in a professional manner that demonstrates an understanding of the City’s strategic plan, its goals and priorities. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Furthers efforts of the Communication Division to bridge cross-departmental collaboration and communication and City-community relations and communication. • Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all community members and coworkers. • Performs all other duties as assigned. Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Associate’s degree from an accredited educational institution and one year of related experience; or three years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in public relations, communications, marketing, social media, event management, planning or grant management. • Valid State of Iowa driver’s license with satisfactory driving record required. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass criminal background check. Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution; or four years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience. Bilingual speaking ability. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. • Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. • Ability to communicate with diverse neighborhoods and City staff. • Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. • Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. • Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties. • Ability to work directly with a diverse clientele and maintain good working relationships. • Ability to work in an organized fashion to manage various priorities and projects, including grant funding. • Ability to write routine reports, edit and organize materials, provide graphic design and quality photography. • Knowledge of local government operations, social and political awareness with an understanding of how these issues impact residents. • Skill in interpersonal and public relations. • Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint) and posting on social media platforms. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) Supervision No supervision of direct reports. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Duties are generally performed in an office setting with a controlled environment. The job requires sitting for extended periods of time and the work may expose the employee to unpleasant social situations and significant work pace pressure. Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Reviewed/Approved by: Geoff Fruin, City Manager (4/2024) I have read and understand the duties of this job description, and I agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. Employee Date ________________________________ __________________