What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Engagement Director position at City of Bloomington, Indiana?
The City of Bloomington values all residents as co-creators of our community. Each person can play a role in shaping a city that is not only vibrant and dynamic, but also caring and inclusive. We seek out and welcome everyone in our community. We listen, respond, and ensure all are safe and well-served, and their problems are resolved. Our commitment to transparency means what we do, how we do it, and why we do it are out in the open for everyone to see.
Engagement is critical to achieving this inclusion and partnership with residents. Bloomington is home to people of many cultures, languages, economic classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, abilities, ages, religions, genders, sexual orientations, and other factors. The incumbent ensures that the City’s external and internal efforts are delivered with warmth, transparency and cultural sensitivity. They strive to ensure awareness, representation, participation, and input on programs, projects, and policies in the City of Bloomington (COB) and in the broader community. This role proactively seeks out, engages, and builds strong relationships with all populations, including but not limited to underrepresented and marginalized groups.
Incumbent leads community engagement for the Office of the Mayor; advises other departments on best practices for public programs, community meetings, outreach to employees, residents, business, government, social service, and other groups; and advises on strategic direction for internal inclusion and belonging efforts in recruiting, training, and retention. This role works in close collaboration with the Communications Director, the Safe and Civil City Director, Human Resources (HR), and departmental public engagement staff to identify opportunities and establish policies and practices to increase community engagement and inclusion.
The City is currently in the process of implementing a new salary structure. Depending on the progress of this implementation, the salary offered to the selected candidate may be higher than the amount currently posted. However, the candidate will not be offered a salary lower than the posted amount for this position.
This job description is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all job functions performed. The following are essential duties for this position, performed with or without reasonable accommodation:
Essential (primary)
Designs, leads, and monitors strategy, initiatives, and practices to increase inclusion and engagement, internally and externally.
In partnership with the Office of the Mayor staff, the Safe and Civil City Director and other staff, identifies marginalized and underserved populations and those unlikely or unable to attend events at City Hall; conducts outreach work; and deepens relationships to increase inclusion and engagement.
Collaborates with City staff across departments to increase effective representations in public input and engagement processes and to ensure inclusive access to and distribution of City resources and programming.
Implements meetings, surveys, and other ways for communicating with, and receiving feedback from, the community about the City and its initiatives. Maintains databases of stakeholders.
Schedules, implements, and periodically suggests new community-based programs, partnerships and other engagement initiatives.
Attends community meetings on behalf of the City to hear community concerns, provide information about community engagement, and advocate for participation.
Collaborates with Human Resources to identify and implement inclusive policies, procedures, and practices throughout the City of Bloomington regarding recruiting, hiring, retention, and promotion and to build culturally competent staff.
Distributes relevant information to the community and employees through multiple channels and media, including audio/visual presentations, by working closely with the Communications Director and HR.
Identifies key data to evaluate effectiveness of outreach and inclusion work.
Compiles information and creates reports for the Office of the Mayor to regularly present to City Council and staff leadership.
Acts as spokesperson for the City at meetings and public appearances; gives interviews and presentations to members of the media and the public.
Takes all reasonable steps to maintain a safe work environment.
Non-essential (secondary)
Performs related duties as assigned.
Minimum Bachelor’s degree in public administration, public relations, communications, or a related field.
Minimum 2 years of experience in a role that includes public outreach, community engagement or inclusion and belonging work.
Knowledge and experience building engaged cross-cultural community relationships and working in partnership with local residents and community organizations to set and achieve shared goals.
Knowledge and experience developing and implementing programs and initiatives that promote inclusion and belonging; demonstrated command of contemporary inclusion and belonging concepts, issues, and resources.
Skills and experience in public speaking and presentations, large group facilitation, team-building, and public interaction.
Ability to serve as a visible, involved, and engaged leader, internally and externally. Willingness to work a flexible schedule with occasional weekends and evenings as needed to accomplish outreach goals.
Demonstrated excellence in communication skills, both in person and in writing, especially in public, through oral and visual presentations.
Ability to use technology and standard office equipment and computer software.
Work is performed both out in the community in public settings and in a modern office environment. Work occasionally necessitates weekends and evenings outside a normal office environment. Incumbent’s position and work are highly visible.
Incumbent maintains frequent contact with staff of the Office of the Mayor and other City departments. Contact is also frequent with media and other community leaders. Incumbent identifies, researches, and approaches a variety of local and area leaders and residents with opportunities to communicate about City services. Incumbent also maintains frequent contact with members of the general public.
Salary : $83,194
