Community Relations Specialist

APR Consulting; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 44,165 - 52,596; Full time

Job summary

A transportation authority is seeking a Community Relations Specialist to enhance engagement with diverse communities in Orange County. The role involves developing outreach programs, public relations activities, and managing communication with civic and business leaders. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree and experience in community relations, with proficiency in Spanish desired. This is a 15-month role with a pay rate of $32.06-$38.18 per hour.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of professional experience in public participation or community relations.
• Knowledge of Orange County demographics and transportation issues.
• Experience with diversity outreach or multicultural communications.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement community relations programs.
• Coordinate outreach programs and public participation activities.
• Create and maintain working relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Skills

Bilingual proficiency in Spanish

Community outreach experience

Public relations knowledge

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree in public relations or related field

Job description

Overview

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. A transportation client is looking for a Community Relations Specialist.

Location: Orange, CA 92868

Position: Community Relations Specialist

Pay Rate: $32.06-$38.18/hr

Duration: 15 months

Schedule: Monday to Friday (8am to 5pm PST)

Summary

Under general supervision, designs and implements community relations programs to maximize engagement with community members, civic leaders, business leaders and other key stakeholders from diverse communities and organizations. The position is responsible for ensuring that the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) maintains the highest levels of inclusion and advances diversity by providing outreach to diverse communities to advance the Authority’s projects, programs and services.

Core competencies & representative duties

• Assists with the development, implementation and evaluation of public awareness and community and business outreach programs for diversity outreach, ensuring the agency’s mission and strategic goals are accomplished.
• Coordinates with consultants in implementing outreach programs and public participation activities for diversity and inclusion.
• Coordinates in planning and implementing public meetings, workshops, event booths, and other special events for stakeholders representing diversity.
• Assists with invoices, budgets, work plans and other project tracking documents and tools.
• Coordinates in preparation, including creating non-English language content and reviewing translated information, of various publications, fact sheets, staff and internal reports and provides information in e-newsletters and social media channels.
• Coordinates support for the OCTA Diverse Community Leaders group.
• Attends professional development workshops/courses to continually enhance skills and industry knowledge.
• Mentors and guides diversity outreach intern.
• Builds Relationships: Is trusted by others, is aware and supportive of needs of individuals and balances results with individual needs.
• Creates and maintains working relationships with internal departments and external audiences such as community, business, social, education and faith based organizations that represent diversity in order to assist in planning services and programs to reflect the needs of Orange County’s diverse communities.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the diverse public, including diverse communities, civic organizations, special interest groups and other key diverse stakeholders.
• Communicates Powerfully & Prolifically: Shares insights on issues/problems, clarifies purpose and links that purpose to actions.
• Creates and presents information on transportation activities/projects to local organizations that represent diversity and the diverse public.
• Prepares responses to constituent inquiries that require bilingual assistance.
• Organizes, analyzes, interprets, and clearly explains operational and technical policy information in simple terms in Spanish with professional proficiency.

Customer & External Focus

• Markets his/her workgroup effectively and influences others in the organization.
• Coordinates in the development of strategies for diversity and inclusion that support the agency’s implementation of a balanced transportation network.
• Strategizes and customizes presentations and outreach activities to specific audiences representing diversity.

Qualification & experience

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in public relations, communication, or related field with a minimum of three years professional experience in public participation, marketing, government relations and/or community relations programs. Knowledge of Orange County demographics and transportation issues is desirable along with experience with diversity outreach or multicultural communications. The ability to read, write, and speak Spanish with professional proficiency is required.

Working conditions

(The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. OCTA provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Work may be performed in a stressful, fast-paced office environment, depending upon assignment.
• Ability to understand verbal communication and to respond effectively.
• Reaching, finger dexterity, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions in computer use.
• Hazardous physical conditions, atmospheric conditions, intense noise, travel.

About APR

APR Consulting, Inc. has provided professional recruiting and contingent workforce solutions since 1980.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity. If you feel your experience matches this position, please apply today.