Outreach Specialist

Title Outreach Specialist Department NJTPA Reports To Senior Director, Communications & External Affairs Position Type Staff 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, including assisting with monthly newsletters and regular website updates and arranging 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 Work with staff in other divisions to identify and highlight relevant data and findings of technically oriented studies and planning efforts and assist with outreach and public engagement efforts for such studies conducted by other divisions and the NJTPA's member counties and cities. Prerequisite Qualifications Bilingual Spanish/English fluency (written and oral). Graduation from an accredited college 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 related field. Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. 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 relevant education and experience. Preferred Qualifications Public engagement experience. WordPress website content management experience. Experience creating social media content. Knowledge of government, development, planning, transportation, and urban affairs. Bargaining Unit PSA Range/Band 22 Salary Information In compliance with the NJ Pay Transparency Law, the negotiated annual salary range for this position is $63,129.05-$113,324.04 (USD). 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. FLSA Non-Exempt Full-Time Special Instructions to Applicants Please submit a cover letter along with your resume. This is a grant funded position that is not eligible to applicants who require sponsorship. #J-18808-Ljbffr