Community Relations Specialist

City of Boston; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Boston is seeking a veteran outreach professional for a provisional appointment to identify and respond to veterans’ needs. The role involves outreach to organizations and public/private partners to disseminate benefits information and coordinate services.

Responsibilities include maintaining veteran files, conducting surveys, and producing reports on program participation and impact. The position emphasizes information sharing via departmental pages and social media.

Qualifications

• Four years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in community relations.
• Ability to interact politely with the public and government agencies.
• Strong computer skills with Microsoft Office.
• Ability to plan and participate in community outreach events; to analyze and evaluate effectiveness.
• Ability to present statistical data and formal reports; establish good working relationships with the media and public agencies.
• Judgment and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a current file of recently returning veterans and a file of all state, federal, and local benefits and services.
• Contacts and meets with a variety of organizations, community groups, local colleges, and businesses.
• Speaks with veterans and their dependents relative to the dissemination of information; assists veterans in determining their eligibility for benefits.
• Conducts surveys and compiles statistical reports relative to veteran participation in available programs, benefits, and services.
• Disseminates and frequently updates information on all available benefits, programs, and services, special events, and all things pertaining to veterans services in the city of Boston via local and social media including the departmental web page, Facebook, and Twitter account.
• Coordinates outreach activities with private and public agencies that are engaged in providing services to veterans and their dependents; directs activities to ensure the needs of veterans are met.
• Advises and assists various groups seeking to establish programs for veterans by providing information and assistance in obtaining available public and/or private funding.
• Performs related duties as required.

Skills

Community relations

Public speaking

Communication

Event planning

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Overview

This is a provisional appointment.

Conducts an outreach program designed to identify veterans and determine appropriate responses to their needs.

Responsibilities

• Maintains a current file of recently returning veterans and a file of all state, federal, and local benefits and services.
• Contacts and meets with a variety of organizations, community groups, local colleges, and businesses.
• Speaks with veterans and their dependents relative to the dissemination of information; assists veterans in determining their eligibility for benefits.
• Conducts surveys and compiles statistical reports relative to veteran participation in available programs, benefits, and services.
• Disseminates and frequently updates information on all available benefits, programs, and services, special events, and all things pertaining to veterans services in the city of Boston via local and social media including the departmental web page, Facebook, and Twitter account.
• Coordinates outreach activities with private and public agencies that are engaged in providing services to veterans and their dependents; directs activities to ensure the needs of veterans are met.
• Advises and assists various groups seeking to establish programs for veterans by providing information and assistance in obtaining available public and/or private funding.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

• Applicant must possess four (4) years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in the field of community relations.
• Must have the ability to deal effectively and courteously with the general public and various governmental agencies.
• Applicant must possess strong computer skills and have proficient knowledge and experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook programs).
• Applicant must have the ability to plan, organize, and actively participate in community outreach events; to analyze and evaluate their effectiveness; to prepare and present statistical data and formal reports; to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; to establish and maintain positive working relationships with the local media, press, government agencies, community organizations and the general public.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.

Boston Residency Required

Terms

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: SEIU/RL-17

Hours per week: 35

The City of Boston is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite applications from all qualified individuals and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected category.