City of Rockville

Compensation

Full Description

The Community Engagement Specialist supports the Community Engagement Division within the Department of Communications and Community Engagement. Working under the direction of the Community Engagement Manager, the incumbent assists in implementing the City’s community engagement strategic plan and coordinating engagement initiatives across the organization. The Specialist helps connect residents with information, facilitates two-way communication between the City and the community, and supports efforts to identify disengaged populations, strengthen partnerships, and increase opportunities for meaningful public participation. The incumbent is responsible for developing, planning, and executing the City’s “City Academy” program, which provides residents with an opportunity to learn about Rockville’s government, services, and civic processes. Additionally, the position is responsible for maintaining the City’s volunteer website and supporting the scheduling and coordination of engagement events hosted by the Community Engagement Division, including events for the Mayor and Council and those conducted in collaboration with other City departments. This position requires strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to engage respectfully with diverse neighborhoods and stakeholder groups. Regular attendance at evening and weekend meetings is required. • Assist the Community Engagement Manager with implementing the citywide community engagement strategic plan. • Support the development of engagement plans for City projects, programs, initiatives, and events using the IAP2 framework. • Maintain and update the City’s volunteer website, including content, resources, and volunteer opportunities. • Support community engagement databases, records, and tracking tools. • Assist with monitoring community engagement activities and gathering data for reports and evaluation. • Serve as a point of contact to help residents and neighborhood groups resolve issues, connecting them to the appropriate departments or resources. • Develop, plan, and execute the “City Academy,” a program designed to educate residents about City departments, services, operations, and opportunities for civic engagement. • Manage scheduling and coordination of all engagement events hosted by the Community Engagement Division, including events led by or for the Mayor and Council. • Coordinate engagement events conducted in collaboration with other City departments, ensuring alignment with engagement goals and City processes. • Assist with intake and coordination of engagement requests from City departments. • Help identify appropriate engagement strategies, outreach tools, and communication methods using IAP2 principles and City resources. • Perform additional related duties as assigned by the Community Engagement Manager or department leadership. • Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, public administration, public relations, political science, community planning, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. • Two (2) to four (4) years of experience in community engagement, outreach, public participation, volunteer coordination, or related work. • Experience working with diverse groups, neighborhood organizations, or community-based nonprofits preferred. • Familiarity with the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) framework is a plus. • Knowledge of community engagement principles, public participation practices, and inclusive outreach methods. • Ability to engage respectfully and effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds. • Skill in event coordination, meeting logistics, scheduling, and project management. • Program development and curriculum coordination skills (especially for City Academy or similar civic education programs). • Strong verbal and written communication skills. • Ability to collect, organize, and interpret community feedback and engagement data. • Ability to mediate discussions, facilitate small groups, and support problem-solving processes. • Ability to maintain strong working relationships with staff, elected officials, community leaders, and the public. • Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously and meet deadlines. • Proficiency with digital outreach tools, basic web content management, and presentation platforms. • Ability to work evenings and weekends, as required. Working Conditions This position requires community-based work throughout Rockville, including attendance at evening and weekend events, meetings, and outreach activities. Work may involve lifting up to 25 pounds of materials or equipment and requires reliable local travel.