Community Engagements Lead
Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Houston seeks a Community Engagements Lead to plan and execute communications and engagement activities for CHARM products. You will lead a small team, coordinate campaigns, and work with partners to deliver clear, impactful outreach.
The role requires five years of experience in communications and project management, strong writing and presentation skills, and the ability to manage multiple stakeholder-driven projects.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in communications, public affairs, marketing, project management, or a related field.
- At least five years of professional experience in communications, project management, stakeholder engagement, public outreach, marketing, event coordination, or related work.
- Proven ability to organize and manage projects, coordinate contributors, manage deadlines, and follow work through to completion.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to take initiative and manage multiple projects and changing priorities.
- Strong verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills and the ability to professionally represent programs and products with partners and stakeholders.
- Experience coordinating events, workshops, conferences, stakeholder engagements, or similar activities.
- Strong writing and editing skills, including the ability to translate technical information into clear communications for different audiences.
- Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and coordinate work across people with different areas of expertise.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
Responsibilities
- Plans, coordinates, and executes communications and engagement projects supporting CHARM products and initiatives.
- Turns product and program priorities into project plans, schedules, assignments, and deliverables.
- Tracks progress, follows up on outstanding work, and helps resolve issues that could affect deadlines or completion.
- Creates, edits, and coordinates communications materials, including presentations, reports, briefings, web content, announcements, newsletters, outreach materials, marketing collateral, and event materials.
- Works with the content writer, graphic designer, product team, planners, and technical staff to develop clear and accurate written and visual communications for different audiences.
- Plans and coordinates conferences, exhibits, product demonstrations, webinars, stakeholder meetings, and other CHARM engagement opportunities, including event logistics, materials, staffing, procurement, travel, and follow-up.
- This may require transport, set up, and break down of workshop, exhibit, and outreach equipment and materials including displays and presentation/AV equipment.
- Maintains CHARM web and digital content using WordPress or similar platforms and ensures communications follow Texas A&M AgriLife branding and accessibility requirements.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Agency: Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service
Department: Disaster Resilience & Recovery
Proposed Minimum Salary: Commensurate
Job Location: Houston, Texas
Job Type: Staff
Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M AgriLife Research College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University Texas A&M Forest Service Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.
The Disaster Assessment and Recovery (DAR) unit of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service plays a vital role in supporting communities across all 254 Texas counties as they prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. As an integral part of the Texas A&M System’s Keeping Texas Prepared initiative and the National Extension Disaster Education Network, DAR is at the forefront of disaster education and community resilience. Working with DAR means being part of a collaborative and mission-driven team dedicated to empowering Texans through credible, research-based information and hands-on assistance. Our specialists lead damage assessments, coordinate emergency animal sheltering, provide critical resources, and deliver educational workshops on disaster preparedness and recovery, all while partnering directly with local, state, and national agencies during times of need. If you are passionate about public service, community education, and making a difference when Texans need it most, consider joining DAR. Together, we help individuals, families, and entire communities reduce risks, recover quickly, and build resilience for the future.
The Community Engagements Lead, under general supervision, plans, coordinates, and executes communications and engagement activities supporting CHARM products and initiatives within the DAR Mitigation Branch. Serving as a working lead for a small communications group, this position provides day-to-day direction while actively contributing to engagement campaigns, content development, digital communications, and community engagements such as workshops, trainings, and product demonstrations. The role requires strong project management, organizational, and communication skills, and works closely with CHARM product leadership, internal technical and program teams, external partners, and community stakeholders. This position may also support additional DAR Mitigation Branch communications and engagement priorities as needs and capacity allow.
- Plans, coordinates, and executes communications and engagement projects primarily supporting CHARM products and initiatives.
- Turns product and program priorities into project plans, schedules, assignments, and deliverables.
- Tracks progress, follows up on outstanding work, and helps resolve issues that could affect deadlines or completion.
- Creates, edits, and coordinates communications materials, including presentations, reports, briefings, web content, announcements, newsletters, outreach materials, marketing collateral, and event materials.
- Works with the content writer, graphic designer, product team, planners, and technical staff to develop clear and accurate written and visual communications for different audiences.
- Plans and coordinates conferences, exhibits, product demonstrations, webinars, stakeholder meetings, and other CHARM engagement opportunities, including event logistics, materials, staffing, procurement, travel, and follow-up.
- This may require transport, set up, and break down of workshop, exhibit, and outreach equipment and materials including displays and presentation/AV equipment.
- Partners with the Community Planning Team Lead to plan and coordinate CHARM workshops and community engagements, including schedules, participant communications, materials, staffing, technology needs, logistics, and follow-up.
- Maintains project schedules, communications and engagement calendars, and task boards.
- Uses Jira or similar tools to assign work, tracks deliverables and deadlines, identifies dependencies, and keeps the team informed of project status.
- Serves as a working lead for assigned communications staff by setting priorities, coordinating assignments, providing feedback and support, and taking an active role in completing the work.
- Translates technical or complex information into communications that are understandable and useful to communities, government partners, sponsors, professional audiences, and other stakeholders.
- Maintains CHARM web and digital content using WordPress or similar platforms and ensures communications follow Texas A&M AgriLife branding and accessibility requirements, in coordination with MarComm as necessary.
- Coordinates communications and engagement work with consultants, vendors, sub-awardees, partners, and other contributors, including timelines, deliverables, and follow-up.
- Supports budgets, purchasing, procurement, and expense tracking associated with conferences, workshops, communications, and other engagement activities.
- Builds productive relationships with community partners, agencies, professional associations, and other stakeholders and represent CHARM at meetings, workshops, demonstrations, conferences, and other activities as needed.
- Attends occasional evening meetings and overnight travel as required.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor's degree in communications, public affairs, marketing, project management, or a related field.
- At least five years of professional experience in communications, project management, stakeholder engagement, public outreach, marketing, event coordination, or related work.
- Demonstrated ability to organize and manage projects, coordinate contributors, manage deadlines, and follow work through to completion.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to take initiative and manage multiple projects and changing priorities.
- Strong verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills and the ability to professionally represent programs and products with partners and stakeholders.
- Experience coordinating events, workshops, conferences, stakeholder engagements, or similar activities.
- Strong writing and editing skills, including the ability to translate technical or complex information into clear communications for different audiences.
- Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and coordinate work across people with different areas of expertise.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
- Ability to learn and effectively use project management, content management, and collaboration platforms.
- Experience leading or supervising communications, content, design, engagement, or project staff.
- Experience using Jira, Confluence, or similar project management platforms.
- Experience working with federal, state, or local government agencies or clients.
- Experience in community planning, hazard mitigation, emergency management, resilience, public outreach, or a related field.
- Experience planning or supporting community workshops, conferences, demonstrations, exhibits, or other public or stakeholder engagements.
- Experience using WordPress or a similar content management system.
- Experience with Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar design and content development tools.
- May require lifting and transporting workshop and outreach equipment weighing up to 30 pounds, which may include extended bending, reaching, stooping, kneeling, and squatting.
- May require extended communication with visitors, stakeholders, and employees in person, by telephone, or electronically.
- May require occasional travel, including overnight stays.
- May require operating computers and high-definition screens for extended periods.
Compensation is commensurate with candidate qualifications.
This position is funded through grants or contracts. Continued employment is dependent upon ongoing funding and satisfactory job performance.
This position is located in Houston (Clear Lake), TX.
This position requires an on-site presence and is not fully remote. Flexible work schedules and limited partially remote work options may be available, depending on the nature of the role and employee eligibility, in accordance with AgriLife Alternate Work Location Procedures. Remote work arrangements are limited to U.S.-based locations only.
This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship now or in the future.
- Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance (AgriLife contributes to premiums)
- 12–15 annual paid holidays
- Up to 8 hours/month sick leave and at least 8 hours/month vacation
- Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
- Employee Wellness Initiative
- Access to ongoing professional development and training through Aspire, LinkedIn Learning, and internally developed programs
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.
As the largest comprehensive agriculture and life sciences program nationally, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies within the Texas A&M University System With over 5,000 employees, and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, the environment, and the economy of Texas and the nation through education, research, extension and service. If your goal is the pursuit of excellence and your vision is to make a difference in this world, we invite you to explore our opportunities to discover what a career at Texas A&M AgriLife has to offer you. Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M AgriLife Research College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University Texas A&M Forest Service Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Texas A&M AgriLife collaborates with Prairie View A&M University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and West Texas A&M University as well as with other public and private partners. Prospective employee benefits Retirement programs Commitment to inclusive excellence Strategic plan
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