Outreach Specialist

C001 New Jersey Institute of Technology; United States; Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Evening and weekend outreach events

Job summary

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is seeking an Outreach Specialist fluent in English and Spanish to advance public engagement initiatives in the Newark area. The role focuses on engaging underrepresented communities, including those with limited English proficiency, and requires evening/weekend event attendance.

The position is hybrid with a Newark base and periodic remote work. Collaboration across divisions will shape communications, publications, and media materials for diverse

Qualifications

• Bilingual fluency in Spanish and English (written and oral).
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Translation certification or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Help plan and staff outreach events, including efforts focused on engaging traditionally underrepresented populations, especially Spanish-speaking populations.
• Present in Spanish at outreach events.
• Create social media content, publications, and videos to engage the public.
• Translate materials into Spanish (flyers, video scripts, newsletters, social media posts).
• Support the UpNext North Jersey group and Morris Canal Working Group with newsletters, site updates, and meetings.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish-English

Public engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Policy, or related field

Translation certification

Tools

WordPress

Job description

Title: Outreach Specialist

Department: NJTPA - Outreach

Reports To: Senior Director, Communications & External Affairs

Position Summary: The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority seeks an Outreach Specialist fluent in English and Spanish to help conduct public engagement activities in both languages. A special focus will involve engaging populations that have been traditionally underrepresented in the transportation planning process, including people with limited English proficiency. The top language spoken by people in the NJTPA region, other than English, is Spanish. Under the direction of the Senior Manager of Outreach, the Outreach Specialist assists with various public engagement initiatives, including the UpNext North Jersey young adult advisory group, the Morris Canal Working Group, and the Street Smart NJ pedestrian safety program. The ideal candidate is compassionate, professional, and able to collaborate with staff, partner agencies, and consultants. While much of this work is conducted during business hours, this position requires attendance at occasional evening and weekend outreach events. This is a hybrid position based in downtown Newark, NJ, with the option to work remotely part of the time.

Essential Functions

• Help plan and staff outreach events, including efforts focused on engaging traditionally underrepresented populations, especially Spanish-speaking populations.
• Present in Spanish at outreach events.
• Work in close collaboration with staff in the Outreach and Communications & Public Affairs divisions to create social media content, publications, and videos to engage the public.
• Assist with translating materials into Spanish, including flyers, video scripts, newsletters, and social media posts.
• Support the UpNext North Jersey young adult advisory group and Morris Canal Working Group by assisting with monthly newsletters, regular website updates, and coordinating meetings and events.
• Work with the Street Smart NJ coordinator to post content to the BeStreetSmartNJ.org website, assist with promoting the program, and support communities interested in participating.

Additional Functions

• Collaborate with staff in other divisions to identify and highlight relevant data and findings from technically oriented studies and planning efforts.
• Assist with outreach and public engagement efforts for studies conducted by other divisions and the NJTPA's member counties and cities.

Prerequisite Qualifications

• Bilingual fluency in Spanish and English (written and oral).
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Translation certification or equivalent.
• One to three years of relevant experience in communications, public policy, planning, or a related field.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• At the university's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be waived where the candidate can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the university, an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience that specifically prepares the candidate for success in the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with public engagement initiatives.
• Experience managing website content using WordPress.
• Experience creating social media content.
• Knowledge of government, development, planning, transportation, and urban affairs.
• At the university's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the university an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Union

Professional Staff Association (PSA)

Compensation

Range: Professional Staff -22

Compensation: $63,117.60 - $113,324.04

NJIT considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. This pay range represents base pay only and excludes any additional items such as incentives, bonuses, or other items.

Employment Details

FLSA: Exempt

Time Type: Full time

Pay Rate: Salary

Additional Information

As an EEO employer NJIT is committed to building a diverse and inclusive teaching, research, and working environment and strongly encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women. Employment at NJIT is subject to the provisions of New Jersey First Act which mandates new employees, who are not NJ residents, to establish primary residence in New Jersey within one year of their appointment to certain positions. The law does not apply to any individual employed at NJIT on a temporary or per semester basis as a visiting or adjunct professor, teacher, lecturer, researcher or administrator. For more information on the act please click here. If special accommodations are needed in applying for a position, please visit the Department of Human Resources located in Fenster Hall, 5th Floor, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102 or call [phone]. If you have questions, please email the Human Resources Department at [e-mail]. Information regarding NJIT campus security, personal safety, and fire safety including topics such as, disciplinary procedures, crime prevention, NJIT Police law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, and crime statistics for the most recent three year period is available on the NJIT Department of Public Safety here. NJIT is an E-Verify employer and uses E-Verify to confirm work authorization of each new hire. When you work at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), you become part of a dynamic and innovative community dedicated to advancing education, research, and technological excellence. Recognized as New Jersey’s premier public polytechnic university, NJIT serves a diverse population of over 12,000 students across six colleges and schools, offering a forward-thinking academic environment in the heart of Newark, just minutes from New York City. At NJIT, we are committed to fostering a workplace culture rooted in inclusion, collaboration, and excellence. Employees are empowered to grow professionally, contribute to meaningful work, and support a mission that shapes the future of technology, education, and research. Learn more about what we offer here!