Communications Specialist

Boston-Region-Metropolitan-Planning-Organization; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 44,083 - 49,593; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

The Boston Region MPO seeks a Communications Specialist to draft, revise, and organize public-facing web content explaining the MPO’s work to diverse audiences. You will convert technical and policy information into clear, plain-language materials and coordinate reviews with subject-matter experts.

This short-term, full-time role offers a hybrid schedule, with responsibilities to format content for publication in the agency CMS and ensure accessibility, usability, and consistency across

Qualifications

• Professional experience writing and editing public-facing content for digital or government contexts
• Strong plain-language writing and editing abilities for nontechnical audiences
• Awareness of digital accessibility principles and inclusive communications
• Ability to coordinate review processes with multiple contributors and feedback
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to juggle multiple content assignments

Responsibilities

• Draft, revise, and edit public-facing web content about MPO programs, projects, and processes
• Translate technical and policy information into clear, plain-language content
• Coordinate with subject-matter experts to gather information and ensure accuracy
• Format and prepare content for publication in the web CMS
• Apply accessibility and inclusive principles to all web content
• Review existing content and propose revisions for clarity and usability
• Assist with QA, link checks, formatting, and consistency with agency style
• Maintain project tracking materials for content development and publication readiness
• Support other communications tasks as needed and time allows

Skills

Public-facing content writing

Plain-language writing

Digital accessibility awareness

Content review coordination

Organizational skills

Tools

Content management system

Project tracking tools

SEO basics

Job description

The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) seeks a Communications Specialist to support a multimonth web content development project. This short-term position will focus on drafting, revising, organizing, and preparing public-facing web content that helps explain the MPO’s work clearly and accessibly to a wide range of audiences.

The Communications Specialist will work closely with the Manager of Communications and Engagement, who will lead the web content project. The person in this role will help convert technical and policy information into clear, plain-language content; coordinate content review with subject-matter experts; and support the preparation of website materials for publication.

• Drafting, revising, and editing public-facing web content about the MPO’s programs, projects, planning processes, data resources, engagement opportunities, and related work
• Converting technical, policy, and planning information into clear, accessible, plain-language content for public audiences
• Coordinating with subject-matter experts across the agency to gather information, confirm accuracy, resolve questions, and incorporate feedback
• Organizing, formatting, and preparing content for publication in the agency’s web content management system
• Applying plain-language, accessibility, and inclusive communication principles to web content
• Reviewing existing website content and recommending revisions to improve clarity, consistency, usability, and accessibility
• Supporting quality assurance for assigned web content, including checking links, reviewing formatting, confirming consistency with agency style, and identifying content gaps or questions
• Helping maintain project tracking materials related to content development, review status, approvals, and publication readiness
• Supporting other communications tasks as needed and as time allows

While the following sections describe required and desirable qualifications, candidates who believe that their particular experience and skills fulfill the requirements are encouraged to apply.

Required qualifications include the following:

• Professional experience writing and editing public-facing content for digital, web, government, nonprofit, advocacy, policy, planning, journalism, or similar communications contexts
• Strong plain-language writing and editing skills, including the ability to make complex information clear, accurate, and useful to nontechnical audiences
• Awareness of digital accessibility principles and an interest in creating communications that are inclusive and accessible to people with diverse needs and backgrounds
• Ability to coordinate review processes with multiple contributors, incorporate feedback, and keep assigned work moving forward
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple content assignments and deadlines

Desirable qualifications include the following:

• Experience working in a content management system
• Experience with project tracking tools or systems
• Experience working in the public sector, transportation, urban planning, civic engagement, public policy, or related communications
• Familiarity with the Boston region and its transportation systems
• Familiarity with website usability, information architecture, search engine optimization, or content strategy

This is a full-time, short-term position beginning in August and continuing through October 2026, with the possibility of an extension. The compensation range is $32 to $36 per hour, contingent upon qualifications and experience.

Additional Information

The Boston Region MPO is a public agency made up of a passionate group of transportation planners, analysts, modelers, programmers, and engineers working to address the Boston region’s transportation challenges. The agency’s deep transportation knowledge is an essential asset to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), regional transit authorities, cities and towns within the region, as well as other agencies and stakeholders.

The agency has a hybrid schedule, combining time in the office with remote work. Employees must reside within a commutable distance from the Boston Region MPO office, which is located in downtown Boston, in a transit-oriented and bicycle-friendly area.

Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is the fiduciary agent and legal employer of the Boston Region MPO staff. Both organizations are Equal Employment Opportunity employers that take pride in the diversity of their workforces and encourage all qualified persons to apply. MAPC participates in the E-Verify system to confirm employment eligibility. MAPC and the Boston Region MPO may consider sponsorship on a case-by-case basis.