Senior Community Engagement Planner

About Ecology Action (EA): Ecology Action is dedicated to fostering sustainable communities through innovative planning and community engagement. We are seeking a dynamic Senior Program Specialist - Planning to lead our grant-funded planning projects, ensuring successful project management, community outreach, and strategic planning.

Key Responsibilities:

Planning Program and Strategic Planning:

• Issue Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for transportation and community-based subconsultants.
• Organize and lead public meetings to engage stakeholders.
• Gather and synthesize public comments, addressing barriers and concerns.
• Relay technical transportation recommendations to stakeholders.
• Represent EA to potential partners, building relationships and identifying funding sources.
• Coordinate and delegate tasks within the planning team.
• Oversee the lifecycle of grant implementation, from public engagement to final plan development.
• Participate in strategic planning processes, including environmental scanning and plan execution.

Budget, Resource, and Risk Management:

• Collaborate with the Senior Planner and internal stakeholders to manage project budgets and staff plans.
• Support the tracking and maintenance of program materials.
• Ensure program team members have necessary materials within grant budgets.
• Adhere to existing risk management strategies and protocols.

Stakeholder Communication:

• Communicate with external partners, including funders, collaborators, stakeholders, and the media.
• Maintain strategic relationships across various groups.
• Work with internal stakeholders, including Marketing, Development & Fundraising, Accounting, IT, and Volunteer Program.

Program Design & Implementation:

• Lead or assist in program design and implementation, using data to guide innovation.
• Manage the delivery of initiatives, ensuring timely and successful project completion.
• Conduct community outreach and present in both English and Spanish at stakeholder meetings.
• Engage with diverse community members, including individuals, school staff, businesses, and public agencies.
• Facilitate discussions on traffic safety issues and community concerns.
• Assist with bike and pedestrian traffic safety demonstrations and transportation data collection.
• Design and implement a robust program evaluation plan with the Senior Planner.

Team Management and Development:

• Recruit, lead, mentor, and train assigned staff.
• Monitor and evaluate team performance, providing constructive feedback.
• Promote a positive and inclusive work culture.
• Oversee expenditure and budget accuracy for direct reports.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Minimum of 2 years' related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience supervising/managing staff.
• Project management and administration experience, including budget management.
• Community engagement and outreach experience.
• Grant contract management experience.
• Bilingual Spanish speaker.
• Strong public outreach and engagement skills.
• Proficiency in project management, budget oversight, and contract administration.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities.
• Detail-oriented and able to manage projects independently.

Preferred:

• Experience in transportation planning.
• Experience working with public agencies, schools, or community-based projects.

Work Environment:

• Mixture of office setting, remote/hybrid work, and fieldwork within the Monterey Bay Region.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, talk, hear, and use a computer.
• Capable of lifting and moving items weighing up to 50 pounds.

Join Us: If you are passionate about sustainable community planning and have the skills to lead impactful projects, we encourage you to apply. Help us make a difference in the Monterey Bay Region!