Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

op

Office of Planning
 

DC Agency Top Menu

-A +A
Bookmark and Share

Community Relations Specialist

Thursday, June 3, 2021
The incumbent will be responsible for developing strategies and implementing communication plans and messaging in response to community planning initiatives, and issues.

Community Relations Specialist

  • Job ID: 13314
  • Location: 1100 4th Street, SW
  • Date Opened: 06/01/2021
  • Area of Consideration: Open to Public
  • Grade:13
  • Type of Appointment: Career Service - Reg Appt
  • Date Closed: 06/11/2021

General Job Information

APPLY NOW!

Job Summary

The position is located in the Office of Planning (OP), Neighborhood Planning Division. OP is tasked with planning for the long-term growth of the District of Columbia to help ensure it reflects our values of an inclusive and vibrant city, where all District residents can thrive, regardless of income, race, age, or background. OP guides development in D.C.’s distinctive neighborhoods by engaging stakeholders and residents, performing research and analysis, serving as the steward of our historic resources, and publishing various planning documents, including the Comprehensive Plan. Within OP, the Neighborhood Planning Division (NP) has five main areas of responsibilities which shape the future development and revitalization of the District’s neighborhoods namely, developing small area plans and planning studies; coordinating and tracking plan implementation; participating in citywide planning initiatives that have a neighborhood impact; monitoring and reviewing development projects; and acting as a liaison to elected officials and community stakeholders on land use, development, and planning issues. This position is an advanced professional level within the division and has corresponding technical expertise and administrative responsibilities in all five of these areas. The Neighborhood Planning Division includes planners assigned to each ward of the District to work in collaboration with Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, citizen associations, residents, businesses, elected officials, and District agencies. The incumbent of this position serves as the Community Relations Specialist, NP and works under the general direction of the Assoc. Director, Neighborhood Planning.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for developing strategies and implementing communication plans and messaging in response to community planning initiatives, and issues. Developing and maintaining calendar of events requiring agency participation. Researching, and developing techniques to make communications more effective and enhance community relations. Preparing agency staff with talking points, key messages, and presentations for meetings with community leaders regarding the agency’s programs, activities, and services. Ability to prioritize and manage high volume of detailed work in a fast-paced environment. Skilled in problem solving and decision-making and collect relevant information to recommend solutions in a timely fashion. Possess excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing. Prepares brochures, presentations, newsletters, press releases, and other media to communicate agency activities and priorities to the public, in consultation with Neighborhood Planning. Monitors media coverage, neighborhood lists serves and newsletters to determine issues of importance for various neighborhoods.

The incumbent supports the Neighborhood Planning team’s activities related to ongoing plans or studies. Provides technical assistance, facilitates educational workshops, and disseminates information to a wide variety of community organizations, schools, and businesses regarding agency priorities Develops materials, reports, graphics, and other documentation to assist in stakeholder communication. Responds to telephone, email, and written public inquiries concerning planning and development activities according to established customer service standards, as requested by the Associate Director for Neighborhood Planning or a Lead Community Planner. Represents the Office of Planning at meetings of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, other community organizations, and interagency working groups or task forces, and inter-governmental meetings. Evaluates the effectiveness of outreach, communications and community involvement activities and makes recommendations for changes to the to Associate Director of Neighborhood Planning and Deputy Director of Community Planning and Design. Prepares responses to complex questions from the Executive Office of the Mayor, Council staff and Advisory Neighborhood Commissions. Researches and resolves problems related to improving the delivery of public engagement activities. Plans, develops, and manages public engagement programs, projects, and activities for residents. Conducts trainings to OP staff on community engagement and effective public outreach.

Qualifications and Education

This position requires at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression. Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples of specialized experience include experience in knowledge of urban or community planning principles to achieve organizational objectives.

Skilled in the use, operation, and application of Microsoft platform (Windows NT, XP), word processing, spreadsheet, power point, and data base management. Proficient in the use of operating a personal computer, utilizing Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Adobe etc., and a willingness to learn new technology associated with assigned work tasks is preferred.

APPLY NOW!