Job Description

Posting number: 202100824

Department: Public Works - Solid Waste

Job classification: Education & Outreach Coordinator

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Works, Education

Summary

The City of Kirkland's Public Works Department is looking to hire an Education & Outreach Coordinator in the Solid Waste division!

This position is responsible for coordinating the City's recycling programs, behavior change campaigns, and communications and outreach efforts to reduce waste and recycle right. This is a great opportunity for someone passionate about sustainability, community engagement, and providing public education on recycling and reuse!

About Public Works

The Public Works Department ensures the City's infrastructure remains safe, functional, and sustainable. It oversees vital services including stormwater management, transportation, water and wastewater systems, maintenance of streets and grounds, and capital improvement projects.

As the City’s largest department, we are committed to the City’s vision and the Department’s mission. We play a vital role in making Kirkland livable, sustainable, and connected. We are City employees who take pride in being trusted stewards of the public’s resources, infrastructure, environment, and quality of life.

We have a One Team approach, strive for excellence and attract, value, and keep diverse, talented employees.

Why Kirkland?

Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland is an attractive and inviting place to live, work, and visit. We have big city vision while maintaining a small-town, community feel. If you are a candidate with the desire to join an organization looking to innovate into the future, the City of Kirkland is the place for you!

If you ask our employees why they love where they work, they will tell you about the great people, work environment, supportive leadership and City Council, and innovation.

We also invest in you!

Competitive Wages: We strive to maintain competitive compensation packages and work to provide wages that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our employees.

Awesome benefits: The City offers benefits that are unmatched by most other employers. Please click on the benefits tab above to view more details.

Childcare Programs: To help address the challenge of reliable childcare, the City of Kirkland has agreements with two local childcare providers that offer discounted rates for our employees at 10 locations within 20 miles of Kirkland. Learn more!

Training and Career Development: The City of Kirkland believes in developing its employees. You will have access to training opportunities designed for career development and advancement based on your position, skills, and interests.

Job Summary

The role of the Education & Outreach Coordinator is to research, develop, implement, and coordinate programs to promote community engagement, awareness, and/or behavior change in support of department goals and projects. Responsible for strategic marketing plan development; the oversight and coordination of assigned communication and outreach programs, including the creation of web, print publications, media releases; and coordination of special events and outreach activities. Collaborate and coordinate with others to implement a variety of outreach and education programs.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Education & Outreach Coordinator independently facilitates activities and communications between departments, programs, cities, and other outside organizations, such as helping craft regional public outreach and education activities and materials through inter-departmental committees. The Education & Outreach Coordinator performs the technical review and analysis of data and reports. In comparison, the Environmental Education & Outreach Specialist does not facilitate public engagement and primarily provides technical support for programs.

Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop outreach campaigns to inform, educate, and engage the public regarding Department programs, projects, and relevant topics. Stay abreast of community trends and emerging issues, identify messaging needs, evaluate efficacy of existing materials, and create project plans including tactics and schedules. Provide outreach in support of one-time projects as well as ongoing programs.
• Develop community engagement and/or behavior change programs to build public support, solicit input and ideas, and help achieve division goals. Identify needs and assess gaps, set goals, research and develop possible approaches, and create project plans, budgets and schedules.
• Implement outreach campaigns, community engagement, and/or behavior change programs. Coordinate and host events, develop, procure, and distribute giveaways, and evaluating program and campaign efficacy.
• Coordinate with local, regional, and community-based outreach staff and partners on large-scale goals, programs, policies, and projects to meet goals and engage with the public effectively, which may include regional benchmarking.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders within and across departments to develop and implement programs, policies, and outreach campaigns to engage with the public effectively, which may include developing a strategic marketing plan and branding.
• Develop annual program outreach and engagement strategy and budget.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate long-term outreach, education, engagement, and behavior change strategies. Analyze the effectiveness of programs and campaigns and assess progress towards Department goals. Prepare reports with recommendations and updates on goals and projects.
• Create a variety of communications materials for use in social media, traditional media, digital, print, and other channels, as appropriate. Write communications material including press releases, email, social media, and advertising campaigns. Design, assist with, or oversee design of signs, advertising, and other visual materials, which may utilize artificial intelligence to streamline processes.
• Create content for website and social media, including writing copy and designing or sourcing graphics. Manage and maintain division online presence, including City website and social media content and engagement.
• Coordinate and promote events and activities to educate and engage with community members. Provide planning and logistical support.
• Maintain understanding of current best practices and industry standards for public engagement, behavior change, and awareness outreach, especially in equitably reaching target audiences.
• Translate complex and/or technical industry information for a non-technical audience and communicate the value and importance of programs and goals. Edit, review, and proof annual reports and other material generated by others for accuracy, comprehension, and communication best practices. Maintain knowledge and understanding of current trends and practices in program industry and region.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.

Peripheral Duties:

• May write or support preparation of grant applications. May manage grants and fulfill grant reporting requirements.
• Procure and manage consultant services to support outreach and engagement campaigns and programs. May include writing Requests for Qualifications, Proposals and Bids, interviewing and selecting contractors, approving contractor work and invoices, and negotiating and recommending contract changes.
• Serve as backup Public Information Officer during emergencies and disasters working within the City’s Emergency Operations Plan.
• Performs functions as assigned in the City’s emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.

Examples of duties

• Knowledge, experience, and/or training in division's focus area.
• Knowledge of a range of public involvement and/or education/outreach methods and strategies.
• Knowledge of current literature, trends, and developments in the position's specialization.
• Knowledge of the use of web-based communication and social media for communicating with the public.
• Knowledge of public surveying techniques and various methods of application in governmental issues.
• Skilled in verbal and written communication.
• Skilled in operating personal computer hardware and software in developing written and graphical material; familiarity with artificial intelligence.
• Skilled in organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to interpret data to analyze community and program needs.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to foresee and address potentially sensitive political situations.
• Ability to effectively de-escalate and respond to angry or upset customers.
• Ability to work with a diverse community and team.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, parks and recreation, journalism, communications, marketing, public relations, environmental education, public policy, public administration, community planning, or related field.
• Experience: Three years of progressively responsible experience in developing and implementing communications, education, and/or outreach programs, including: two years program/project management experience in communications/education/outreach or a related field, preferably working in or with public agencies; and training and/or experience in community-based social marketing, graphic design, inclusive community engagement, project management, grant writing, conflict resolution, and/or video production.
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual’s knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s license and ability to remain insurable under the City’s insurance to operate motor vehicles.
• Civic or community organization experience is preferred.
• Ability to speak, read, and/or write other languages besides English, particularly languages with larger populations in Kirkland such as Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Portuguese is preferred.

Supplemental information

Physical Demands and Working Environment:

• Position may require lifting of up to 20 pounds.
• Most work is performed in an office environment. Some work will be in the community or the field attending meetings, hosting trainings, events, or workshops, providing outreach at public events, or conducting field visits. Requires occasional evening and weekend work.

Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled. First review of applications will take place on October 5th.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 711.

Final candidates for this position will be required to successfully complete a background check, consistent with applicable law.