Community Engagement Consultant

Job Description:

Community Engagement Consultant

Description

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Relations, Public Administration, Communications, or a closely related field plus five (5) years of experience involving the development and coordination of public information or community outreach or involvement programs, or;
• Masters Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Relations, Public Administration, Communications, or a closely related field plus three (3) years of experience involving the development and coordination of public information or community outreach or involvement programs.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid Texas driver’s license

Notes to Applicants
The Community Engagement Consultant will develop and implement strategies to facilitate communication between Austin Energy departments/programs/initiatives and external stakeholders. This role focuses on assessing community needs, organizing public dialogues, and establishing communication channels to ensure stakeholders remain informed and engaged. The position requires the ability to identify and address concerns, build trust, and maintain effective relationships. Primary duties include:

• Develop and implement community engagement strategies and City policies to foster public participation.
• Conduct assessments to identify community needs and resources, working directly with neighborhood residents and community groups.
• Facilitate public discussions to resolve issues between the City and stakeholders.
• Organize and oversee community meetings, forums, and events.
• Develop public information materials, including presentations and reports, to inform City officials and the public of community concerns.
• Represent the City at public events, council meetings, and other forums.
• Train and lead staff in community engagement practices and oversee related projects.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held.
• Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions inquiring about experience should be reflected on application.
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
• This position requires a criminal background investigation.

Work Schedule:

Shifts may change according to departmental needs.

Employee may be required to work additional hours outside of regular work schedule

Driving Requirement:
This position requires a Valid Texas Driver’s License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date.
External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Job Offer is contingent on having a driving record that meets the City’s Driver Record Evaluation Standards.

Critical:

This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

This position is considered FLSA Exempt. Exempt employees are salaried and, except as provided, are not eligible for overtime compensation.
Pay Range
$33.49 - $42.71

Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Job Close Date 01/10/2025 Type of Posting External Department Austin Energy Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin TX 78723; Hybrid Preferred Qualifications

• Background in the electric utility industry
• Proven track record of managing community engagement staff and projects in a municipal setting.
• Skilled in collaborating with elected officials and city leadership to identify and address local needs.
• Comfortable working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Capable of processing complex data into meaningful and actionable insights.
• Proficient in applying conflict resolution, de-escalation, and negotiation tactics.
• Familiarity with online platforms for conducting meetings, hosting events, publishing content, and distributing surveys.
• Proficiency in providing outreach, education, or resources in languages other than English.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


Plans, develops, and implements strategies and programs to help facilitate community involvement with City departments, programs and initiatives. Develops and implements City policies, procedures, and protocol designed to engage community input on various City programs and initiatives. Conducts neighborhood need assessments, meets with neighborhood residents, leaders, and community groups to identify needs and available resources. Facilitates public dialogues and consensus building to identify and resolve issues between the City and various community stakeholders. Assesses various community concerns, values, and opinions on City projects, programs, and initiatives, and presents findings to City staff. Consults with City staff to develop and implement public information training materials, bulletins, and presentations. Establishes and maintains effective relationships with community leaders, City Officials, the media, and the general public. Informs City officials of community issues through various media such as written reports, conferences and community meetings. Organizes forums, walking tours, conferences and other community events and meetings with City staff. Coordinates and facilitates community research and responses to technical documents issued by City departments, developers and other jurisdictions. Represents the City at Council meetings, boards and commissions, and community events as directed.

Responsibilities - Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May lead and train others.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of community organizing and neighborhood development techniques.
• Knowledge of city practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Ability to develop new initiatives and working with service providers to plan and coordinate services.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other city employees and the public.
• Ability to work with community representatives to identify and address local needs.
• Ability to use conflict resolution and negotiation.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to work well with individuals from a variety of different backgrounds and experience, including community leaders, residents, service providers, local officials and elected representatives.
• Ability to train others.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Relations, Public Administration, Communications, or a closely related field plus five (5) years of experience involving the development and coordination of public information or community outreach or involvement programs, or; Masters Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Public Relations, Public Administration, Communications, or a closely related field plus three (3) years of experience involving the development and coordination of public information or community outreach or involvement programs. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* Please describe how you meet the minimum qualifications referenced above. Detail how you meet the educational requirements (if applicable), account for the years of related experience (if applicable), and explain any substitutions of experience for education, or vice-versa (if applicable).
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience leading staff through a community engagement project.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience working with community representatives to identify and address local needs. Please include how you target under-represented populations.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience processing complex data into meaningful material.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience holding a virtual public meetings. Please include: what platform(s) you have used, techniques for performing engagement online, roles and responsibilities, and follow-up activities.
(Open Ended Question)
* Detail your proficiency speaking, writing and reading in languages other than English, if none, please write N/A
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have electric utility experience?

• Yes
• No

* How many years of experience do you have utilizing conflict resolution, de-escalation and negotiation tactics?

• None
• Less than one (1) year
• One (1) to three (3) years
• Four (4) to six (6) years
• More than six (6) years

* This position requires a Valid Texas Driver License. Do you have a Valid Texas Driver License or if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire a Valid Texas Driver License by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that external new hires meet the City's Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three (3) moving violations or a total of six (6) Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* Describe your experience collaborating with elected officials, peers, internal team members, other Departments and the general public to successfully achieve desired outcomes for programs or projects.
(Open Ended Question)
* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Optional Documents