"Alerted.org

Community Engagement Coordinator

Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lakelandfl/jobs/newprint/4941321)

Apply



Community Engagement Coordinator

Salary

$23.77 - $35.65 Hourly

Location

Employment Services, FL

Job Type

Full Time Regular

Job Number

6550-07

Department

Water Utilities

Division

Water 1500000000

Opening Date

05/14/2025

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NA

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

This position is responsible for programs and projects that develop, maintain, and strengthen community relationships. Work involves building consensus on department initiatives through various conduits, from stakeholder groups to community partners. An employee in this classification must maintain a high degree of initiative, a flexible work style involving independence and teamwork, strong organization and follow-up, multi-tasking, and interaction with diverse staff, citizens, and community partners.

Please note this posting is "Continuous" and can close at ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

+ Develops and coordinates strategies to engage citizen participation in surveys, data research, and public forums.

+ Performs extensive outreach for public meetings and events using various communication methods to reach the diverse audience that engages with the department.

+ Assists the Director in completing reports and presentations, as needed.

+ Collaborates with department staff to identify partners and stakeholders, effective methods of engagement, and processes for optimal participation related to programs and services.

+ Coordinates and distributes community awareness tools using various outreach methods, including brochures, articles, social media, and video demonstrations.

+ Reviews public engagement event plans, manages the necessary logistics required, and assists with implementing the event plans.

+ Communicates, coordinates, and collaborates with key partners and stakeholders, including staff, management, advocacy groups, community groups, consumer groups, etc., to meet department goals, objectives, and requirements.

+ Develops high-quality, professional presentations, letters, and reports that target the intended audience.

+ May be required to participate and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.

+ May be required to work alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the agency.

+ This position is designated as mission-critical.

+ Provides written summaries of meetings with partners and stakeholders.

+ Coordinates and conducts facility tours and gives public presentations and demonstrations

+ Assists with designing and/or updating exhibits, websites, newsletters, and other publications to ensure accessibility compliance and accuracy of information shared.

+ Manages and tracks the effectiveness of public engagement by maintaining email lists, calendars of events, social media content, budgeted purchases, and giveaways used for outreach.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

+ Performs related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)

+ Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Public Relations, Communications, Environmental Science, Biology, Education in the natural sciences, or a closely related field.

+ One year of experience in public relations, event promotions, marketing techniques, and media tools.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

+ Must possess a valid driver’s license.

+ Must maintain a valid telephone number.

+ Proficient in graphic programs and multimedia presentation software.

+ Proficient knowledge of local media preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

+ Knowledge of accepted public relations practices, communications media, advertising, marketing, and multimedia tools, including radio, newspapers, meetings, conferences, and presentations.

+ Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

+ Ability to perform basic multimedia editing.

+ Thorough knowledge of the English language, including punctuation, spelling, and grammar.

+ Knowledge of computer, photographic, and audiovisual equipment.

+ Must be self-motivated with experience and knowledge of web content management, including basic HTML and popular content management systems.

+ Ability to conduct public meetings and classes to present programs clearly and concisely.

+ Ability to make sound decisions and demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity.

+ Knowledge and familiarity with all Water and Wastewater Utilities aspects are preferred.

+ Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse socioeconomic groups, civic groups and organizations, co-workers, and the public.

+ Ability to communicate with audiences of all ages and sizes.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

+ Routinely requires sedentary work that involves walking or standing sometimes, exerting up to 20 pounds of force regularly, and routine keyboard operations.

+ Occasionally requires manual work, including handling of equipment and materials and exerting up to 40 pounds of force in the outdoor environment in all weather conditions.

+ The job requires normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview, and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your e-mail and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

THE CITY OF LAKELAND IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/EQUAL ACCESS EMPLOYER AND A DRUG FREE WORKPLACE.

City of Lakeland

2024 Summary Sheet

Annual Leave

Annual leave is accumulated bi-weekly and based upon years of service as follows:

Annual leave may be taken as earned by employees hired after January 1, 1989. Employees hired prior to that date use annual leave within the calendar year following the year the leave is earned. All employees may carry over up to a maximum of twenty (20) days at the end of the calendar year. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue annual leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.*

Sick Leave

Sick rate is accrued biweekly based upon years of service and standard hour classification. Eligible for use as soon as earned. Regular part-time employees who work at least twenty (20) hours per week accrue sick leave at the rate of four (4) hours per month.

*NOTE: REGULAR employees with a working day other than eight (8) hours, please contact your supervisor regarding these policies.

Sick Leave Pool

Allows employees to receive sick leave benefits in cases involving catastrophic or long-term illnesses or injuries after all personal leave time has been depleted. Regular full-time employees contribute eight (8) hours and Regular part-time employees contribute four (4) hours on an annual basis. Employees must have completed one full year of service on or before December 31st of the calendar year enrollment; and have accumulated at least forty (40) hours of sick time (twenty (20) hours for Regular part-time employees). Participation in this program is voluntary.

For more information contact Amanda Kaiser at 834-8768

Family & Medical Leave

Federal legislation guarantees up to twelve (12) weeks per year off work under certain circumstances outlined in the policy manual. The employees must have been employed by the City for at least twelve (12) months and have at least 1,250 hours of service during the 12-month period before the requested leave. The City will continue its group life and health insurance for an employee on leave at the same level and under the same conditions that existed while the employee was working.

For more information contact Dawn Justice at 834-6038.

Pension Plan

Provision for retirement income requiring mandatory participation for full-time regular employees.

Defined Benefit Plan:

Plan C Employee 4.16%

Employer 15.66%

OR

Defined Contribution Plan:

Executives, New Hires aged 52 and older, and Fire/Police Recruits

Employee 8.5% or 11% per election upon hire

Employer 15.39%

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan:

A voluntary plan that is invested in mutual funds. The Employees' Pension Board performs the due diligence on the mutual funds. Employees may reallocate their account at any time.

Maximum contribution for 2025 is $23,500; employees age 50 or older can also add a "catch-up" amount of $7,500; employees age 60-63 can also add a "catch-up" amount of $11,250.

Additionally, a match of up to 5% of salary is offered by the City in Plan C.

Holidays

Twelve (12) holidays, includes one (1) personal floating holiday to be used at any time after three (3) months of employment and prior to the end of the calendar year.

Funeral Leave

Up to three (3) days off with pay due to death of an immediate family member (as defined in the policy manual). Up to four (4) hours off with pay may be obtained through supervisor approval to attend local funeral services of persons other than immediate family.

Jury/Witness Duty

Employees required to serve on jury duty will be relieved of responsibility for their regular work shift or portion thereof and receive full pay while serving. All fees received for such service may be retained by the employee. Employees subpoenaed to any civil or criminal court proceeding, which employee is not personally or monetarily interested, shall be paid as if engaged in regular work activities.

Military Leave

Allows for up to 240 hours in any one calendar year for annual military training without loss of pay or benefits for any employee in some type of reserve status for the United States Armed Forces. (see policy manual for additional information).

Maternity Leave

Refer to Family & Medical Leave for those employees who qualify. Others may take up to three (3) months leave of absence available upon approval of the Department Head. Employees may opt to utilize any combination of paid (sick or annual leave) or unpaid leave.

Leave of Absence Without Pay

Written requests are subject to approval by Department Head and City Manager or designee for less than ninety (90) days. Requests for more than ninety (90) days also require Civil Service Board approval for employees in a Civil Service classification.

Longevity Pay

Tuition Reimbursement

Program provides employees up to $2,500 per fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) for reimbursement of tuition of approved college, university, vocational, or correspondence classes upon completion with a grade of "C" or better in credit courses only. Full reimbursement is given for courses and fees, upon approval. The program does not include reimbursement for cost of books, supplies or other related expenses.

For more information, contact Melissa Yelnick at 834-6844.

Suggestion Awards

A program designed to provide a consistent and organized method for employees to submit and be rewarded for constructive ideas for improvement. Maximum award is $1000.

For additional information, contact Kathy McNelis at 834-6348.

Direct Deposit of Paycheck (refer to handout in new employee folder)

An account must be established with the institution of your choice prior to signing up for direct deposit.

Uniforms/Equipment

Uniforms issued at no cost to employees for those job classifications which require them. Equipment is issued to employees at either no cost or discounted cost depending upon job classification.

Parking

Free while at work.

Break Periods

Employees may be permitted two (2), fifteen (15) minute breaks during the workday. The time shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.

For Information on Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance please contact Benefits at 834-6797.

For Information on Retirement Benefits, contact the Retirement Services Department at 834-8765 or 834-8797.

For Information on Firefighter and Police Officer Retirement Benefits, contact Foster & Foster at 239-333-4872.

01

Do you possess a vaild State of Florida Driver's License?

+ Yes

+ No

02

Have received a bachelor's degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university in Public Relations, Communications, Environmental Science, Biology, Education in the natural sciences, or a closely related field?

+ Yes

+ No

03

If you have a college or university degree, please indicate the area of study for your degree. If not, please type N/A.

04

Do you have one (1) year of experience in public relations, events promotions, marketing techniques, and media tools?

+ Yes

+ No

05

Please provide a narrative supporting your answer to the above question. Be sure to include specific job title(s), job duties, organization(s) and the dates where the work was performed. Note: The employers and dates of employment you list here must also be included in the "Work Experience" section of this job application.

06

Please indicate your experience in community engagement related to water utilities and/or environmental programs.

07

By clicking "Yes" below, I understand that all relevant work experience MUST be entered in the "Work Experience" section on my application. In addition, all current City of Lakeland employees must list all previous City of Lakeland work experience in the "Work Experience" section of the application. Failure to complete the "Work Experience" section will disqualify you from the application process.

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

City of Lakeland, Civil Service

Address

500 N Lake Parker Avenue Lakeland, Florida, 33801

Phone

(863)834-8790

Website

http://www.lakelandgov.net/employmentservices