Community Outreach Coordinator

Title: Community Outreach Coordinator

Location: Saint Paul United States

Job Description:

Salary

$38.53 - $62.53 Hourly

Location 

Blue Line Extension Project Office-St. Louis Park, MN

Job Type

Full-Time

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. 

Metro Transit is one of the country's largest transit systems, employs more than 3,000 people, and provides more than 80 million rides a year through an integrated network of buses, light rail and commuter trains, as well as resources for those who carpool, vanpool, walk or bike in the Twin Cities. 

The METRO Blue Line Extension Light Rail Transit (LRT) will be an extension of the METRO Blue Line that will serve northwest communities from downtown Minneapolis through north Minneapolis, Robbinsdale, Crystal and Brooklyn Park. In September 2023, the METRO Blue Line Extension Corridor Management Committee (CMC) passed a resolution in support of a new singular route recommendation for the METRO Blue Line Extension. The new route for the METRO Blue Line Extension will extend the existing Blue Line light rail transit from Target Field Station along West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis to County Road 81 in Crystal and Robbinsdale, and along West Broadway Avenue in Brooklyn Park.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region: 

We are currently hiring a Community Outreach Coordinator to work out of the St. Louis Park Blue Line Extension Project Office. This role is crucial for ensuring effective communication and engagement with the community, fostering inclusivity, and building support for our initiatives.
 
Coordinators are responsible for outreach and engagement to citizen groups, businesses and the public. The incumbent will develop and implement communication and public involvement activities and plans to build public understanding and support of the projects; collaborating with project managers, communications staff, and other Council and Metro Transit departments involved in the assigned project(s). The incumbent represents and/or attends public events and meetings of committees.
 
We are creating a six (6) month eligibility list for current and future openings. 
 
Note: These positions are eligible for a hybrid (both remote and onsite) telework arrangement. Hours will primarily be Monday - Friday during standard business hours with some need to work early mornings, nights, and weekends. The candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

What you would do in this job

 

• Coordinates and implements activities such as public hearings, focus groups, surveys, education, information presentations, and other forums that fosters input from and education of the public for Metro Transit new start initiatives.  Identifies constituencies that need to be communicated with and involved in the public process; participates with Project Office staff on public input process.
• Represents project, as assigned, at public events and meetings of committees and organizations in absence of manager.
• Acts as liaison to Project Office staff and Project Consultants.
• Interfaces with the Manager of Public Involvement, to ensure consistent communications with communities potentially impacted by the transit project(s).
• Responds to customer inquiries, requests for information regarding all aspects of the project.
• Tracks public comments to assist Public Involvement Manager in tailoring key messages and collateral material to specific audiences, including civic, business and opinion leaders, neighborhoods, organizations etc.; maintains stakeholder contact lists.
• Reviews routine communication tools for consistency while creating outreach and engagement plans and updating accordingly as projects progress.
• Performs administrative tasks such as taking meeting minutes, creating agendas, and typing up notes.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or apparent.

 

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

Any of the following combinations of progressively responsible experience public affairs or community relations that includes working with the public, diverse community groups, consultants, opinion leaders and community-based organizations and completed education in Planning, Urban Studies, Communication, Public Affairs, Political Science or a related field: 
 

• High school diploma/GED with seven (7) years of experience
• Associate degree with five (5) years of experience
• Bachelor's degree or higher with three (3) years of experience

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Degree in planning, urban studies, communication, public affairs, political science or related field. 
• Experience with event coordination logistics.
• Experience with community outreach in Minneapolis specifically with construction coordination, building strong community relationships.
• Experience in transit/transportation.
• Experience in non-profit or government agency.
• Skilled in writing, listening, and speaking in a second language.
• Experience working with diverse populations of internal and external customers.

License Requirements: 
Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• Skilled in using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint and working with databases.
• Skilled in setting up laptop and projectors for use at public meetings.
• Skilled verbal and written communication.
• Skilled in dealing with conflict and stressful situations.
• Skilled in reading, writing and speaking a second language is desired.
• Ability to use photocopiers, printers, plotters and other office equipment required for putting meeting materials together.
• Ability to use email and Outlook calendar function for setting up public meetings.
• Ability to listen and summarize conversations with the public or in meetings.
• Ability to pay attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area. 
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement. 
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.