Community Outreach Assistant - Limited Term

Limited Term Position

The Community Development Department is seeking motivated, qualified individuals to serve the diverse community members of the City of Salinas. The selected candidate will work closely with the unhoused population in the community. This individual will engage and develop professional relationships with the targeted population and provide information and resources. 

This is an open until filled position and may close at anytime without prior notice. This is a limited term position, not to exceed two years. This limited term, at-will position is full-time and benefited; however, this appointment is for a special program and does not provide for attainment of regular status. 

Note: All applicants must submit proof of education which may include a copy of a high school diploma/G.E.D. or degree.  Unofficial transcripts will be accepted. Applications will be considered incomplete without this required information.  

Summary of Duties: Performs a variety of field, community engagement, public outreach and administrative support duties related to operation and service programs and/or major planning initiatives of the Community Development Department.

Distinguishing Characteristics:  This is a single level job classification in the Community Development Department. Work is clearly defined and supervised. Performs basic paraprofessional and technical assistance with defined goals, objectives, and procedures.

Supervision Received and Exercised: Receives general supervision from the Department Director designee.  May serve as lead and exercise functional supervision of lower-level temporary staff and/or volunteers.

1. Assists in the implementation of department operation and service programs or planning initiatives/community engagement efforts.
2. Assists with planning and conducting community outreach events, workshops, trainings and other meetings.
3. Assists with the coordination of meeting logistics including securing venues, obtaining supplies and materials, arranging for childcare, refreshments and meeting/event set-up and clean-up.
4. Prepares and distributes meeting notices, flyers, surveys, and outreach materials.
5. Responds to letters, public inquires, e-mails, and other communications.  
6. Maintains contact lists in both written and/or electronic formats. 
7. Utilizes social media platforms to engage and inform members of the community.
8. Prepares and/or gives presentations (i.e. PowerPoint) to the general public, community organizations and others.
9. Facilitates small group and other community engagement activities.
10. Prepares meeting agendas and follow-up notes; records community input. 
11. Performs basic research to assist the preparation of reports, surveys, studies or other documents.
12. Coordinates, interacts and confers with other City Departments.
13. Serves as liaison between other government agencies, non-profit organizations and ad hoc committees for special community service projects, etc.
14. Interprets and conveys applicable City policies, rules and regulations.
15. Promotes and maintains safety in the workplace.
16. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of effective organization, program development and implementation. 
• English usage, grammar, spelling and punctuation.  
• Appropriate writing techniques for writing reports and correspondence 
• Research methods and procedures
• Record keeping principles and procedures. 
• Principles of local government practices. 
• Principles of volunteerism and marketing. 
• Basic clerical and computer skills, including word processing and basic software applications (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Outlook 365); filing; familiarity with learning materials and effective training techniques. 
• Other desktop publishing software related to preparing leaflets, brochures and similar materials (such as Adobe Illustrator, InDesign or MS Publisher) is desired.

Skill in: 

• Understand the organization and operation of the City, community stakeholders and other outside organizations necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.  
• Promote the mission, values and standards of an effective public organization, particularly in the area of customer service. 
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.  
• Prepare outreach materials and assist with meeting logistics.
• Utilize social media and email.
• Read, understand, apply and explain City programs, regulations and planning initiatives/efforts.
• Give public presentations to a wide range of large and small audiences. 
• Guide small group activities and discussions. 
• Conduct web/online research.
• Work cooperatively with other City departments and outside agencies. 
• Occasionally work holidays, weekends and evenings when necessary.  
• Work independently. Analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action.  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, elected officials, the community and volunteers.  

Education: High School Diploma or GED

Experience:  Two years of work experience involving increased responsibility and customer service, public outreach, community development or planning experience.

An Associate Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Political Science, or a closely related field may be substituted for one year of experience; or

A Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Political Science, or a closely related field may be substituted for six months of the required experience. 

Licenses and Certifications: A valid State of California Driver’s License.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Physical, mental and emotional stamina to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position; manual dexterity sufficient to write, use telephone, computers, business machines and related equipment; vision sufficient to read printed materials, visual display terminals; hearing sufficient to conduct in person and telephone conversations; speaking ability in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in a normal conversational distance on the telephone or in person, and to project with sufficient volume when addressing large groups or facilitating community engagement activities; physical agility to push/pull, squat, twist, turn, bend, stoop and reach overhead; physical mobility sufficient to move about the work environment, physical strength to lift up to 30 lbs.; physical stamina sufficient to sit, stand or walk for prolonged periods of time; mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions. 

A combination of field work traveling to community events or meetings throughout the City, and a business office working environment subject to sitting at a desk or standing at a counter, booth or display station for long periods of time, bending, crouching, or kneeling at files, pushing/pulling of file drawers and supplies, reaching in all directions and prolonged periods of time working at a computer station. Work conditions will include attending out-of-office meetings and events and interacting with the public, walking and standing for long periods of time, at times in an outdoor environment, in all weather conditions. May work evenings, weekends, and holidays. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.  

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE: A veteran is defined in accordance with California Government Code 18540.4. In order to exercise this preference, the veteran must submit the City’s Veteran’s Preference Application and provide a copy of the DD-214 form at time of application as proof of military status. Failure to submit the required forms will be deemed a waiver of veteran's preference. Military veterans shall be given preference in initial appointment to City service. Further details can be obtained from the Human Resources Department, at 831-758-7254.
 
SELECTION PROCESS: Applicants’ qualifications will be evaluated based on the information provided on the employment application. The exam process may consist of an application appraisal, oral interview, and/or written exam. The City reserves the right to use alternate testing procedures if deemed necessary. CITY COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE SELECTION PROCESS WILL BE VIA E-MAIL. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE EMAIL ON YOUR APPLICATION. Finalist interview/assessment will be held with the City of Salinas.
 
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The City of Salinas does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit factor. The City of Salinas makes reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with a disability. Individuals requiring any accommodation in order to participate in the testing process must inform the Human Resources Director in writing no later than the final filing date stated in this job announcement. Requests for accommodation should include an explanation of the type and extent of accommodations needed to participate in the selection process and/or to perform the duties of the job for which they have applied. EEO Utilization Report is available for candidate review upon request.
 
SALARY STEPS: Appointments are normally made at the first step. Consideration is given for increase to the second step after successful completion of a six-month probationary period. (Employees appointed at a higher step will be eligible for consideration for the next step after one year, providing they successfully complete a six-month probationary period.) For questions, please contact Sylvia Enriquez, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at (831) 758-7259 or sylviae@ci.salinas.ca.us.

Salary : $4,391 - $5,603