Community Engagement Specialist

About the Employer

Job Summary

Community Engagement Managers play a pivotal role in shaping and managing the strategic direction for public dialogue, listening to and valuing the expressed needs of a diverse community of parents, school leaders, students, and other stakeholders. They will design authentic community engagement processes, systems, and structures that allow for stakeholder input in district decision-making and policy changes.

Job Title

Community Engagement Manager (Sy26-27)

Location

Bruce C. Bolling Municipal, 2300 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02119

Reports to

Director of Community Engagement

Position Summary

The Office of Family and Community Advancement (OFCA) mission is to become a capacity-building catalyst for authentic, and effective partnerships among students, families, schools, and the community to ensure student readiness and achievement from pre-entry to post-graduation. OFCA seeks a Community Engagement Manager who is a skilled community organizer, with an understanding of the history of public education in Boston and the current climate and context.

Promote BPS Vision

Promote the BPS vision for family, community, and student engagement within the Boston Public Schools and greater Boston community.

Community Engagement Development

Develop a deep understanding of the city of Boston, its people, and every community, including the needs, successes, challenges, and priorities.

Relationship Building

Develop and manage relationships with a regional portfolio of organizations, building trust and creating the space for collaborative work with the district.

Partnership Development

Partner with BPS departments seeking community input to prioritize and establish clear engagement goals, develop and execute an initiative-specific engagement plan, track deliverables, and assess the effectiveness of engagement processes to make adjustments and improvements.

Community Engagement Advisory Council

Support development of and recruitment for the district’s community engagement advisory council.

Parent Leadership Organization Meetings

Attend parent leadership organization, community, and neighborhood meetings to develop a deep understanding of stakeholder needs and concerns, build partnerships and trust, hear community concerns, raise awareness of BPS proposed policy changes, and provide information about BPS community engagement and OFCA programs.

Advocacy and Communications

Develop and maintain strong relationships with advocacy and communications counterparts within the Boston education community.

Public Understanding

Develop a continuous process for building public understanding of proposed district changes and policies, including quarterly public forums.

Impact Analysis

Conduct and report on impact analysis of pending district shifts on various communities and populations of Boston.

Data Collection and Reporting

Prepare briefs representing community voice to assist office and district leadership in making decisions, monitor and report on progress to all stakeholders, collect and maintain data, and accurate records regarding participant demographics, feedback, outcomes, and follow-up required.

Qualifications - Required

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or commensurate experience working in an urban educational environment.
• Strategic, analytical, and critical thinker with an ability to understand and navigate a political environment.
• Ability to drive change in and with others without a direct reporting relationship, and the skill to build relationships and trust needed to push back against colleagues and leadership.
• Effective community organizing skills and understanding of organizing and mobilizing principles.
• Highly organized with demonstrated ability to simultaneously balance several tasks and projects in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial role within a bureaucratic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally, cross-departmentally, and independently to get results.
• Act as a resource between BPS departments and community stakeholders to translate information and data into user-friendly reports and presentations.
• Strong time management, project management, and organizational skills with a detail and deadline orientation, and focus on quality and mission-critical priorities.
• Innovative problem-solving skills to address roadblocks and barriers.
• Proactively seeks, accepts, and uses feedback as a continuous learner for personal professional growth and improvement of the work.
• Strong drive and motivation to take initiative.
• Ability to thrive in a high-pressure environment.
• Good sense of humor, diplomatic, and cooperative spirit.
• Passion for community engagement.
• Deep commitment to and enthusiasm for Boston Public Schools’ goal of ensuring that all children are college, career, and life ready.
• Excellent and concise communicator, both in writing and speaking with respect to a diverse population.
• Demonstrated cultural proficiency and awareness and ability to see other points of view.
• Computer proficiency and experience using MS Office Suite, online survey and communications tools, and relevant analytical software.
• Ability to work nights and some weekends.

Qualifications - Preferred

• Master’s degree.
• Five or more years working in community engagement and organizing, particularly in an urban public education setting.
• Bilingual or multilingual.

Terms

Managerial, C42. This position requires flexibility that includes frequently working evenings and some weekends.

Boston Public Schools

In accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, the Boston Public Schools (BPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics, natural or protective hairstyle, military status, immigration status, English language proficiency, or any other factor prohibited by law in its programs and activities. BPS does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat, or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to work or learn. If you require an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for the application process, please contact the Accommodations Unit at accommodations@bostonpublicschools.org.