Community Relations Specialist jobs in District of Columbia

Open Date: January 29, 2024

Closing Date:  Open until filled

Salary:  Excepted Service, Grade 5 $85,500

SPECIAL RECRUITMENT: This posting is specifically tailored to a District resident / experienced person with high knowledge of all 8 Wards, including working, organizing, residing and other activities.

Residency:   Position requires strong knowledge of the District of Columbia.  DC Residents are prioritized in the screening process, and will receive extremely strong preference in selection. 

The Mayor's Office of Community Relations and Services (MOCRS) resolves issues facing DC residents by building collaborative partnerships with DC Government agencies. MOCRS have a relentless commitment to the betterment of our community.  We are currently seeking energetic individuals who work well as part of a team to carry out the mission of the office.  

MOCRS coordinate the response of multiple District agencies to solve persistent neighborhood problems and tailor scheduled services to meet the needs of that community. A strong preference will be given to current DC residents who have an established track record of engaging communities in all eight Wards.  

MAJOR DUTIES

• Establishes, monitors, and maintains a coordination of services from the partnering city agencies. Develops a coordinated work plan and ensures execution of the work plan to address persistent problems and then monitor the conditions at those locations.
• Responds to critical issues and incidents in assigned Ward, including during non traditional work hours.
• Identifies steps to improve the coordination of current service delivery system that will be implemented by individual members of various entities, within their existing authority.
• Analyzes data to identify and recommend priorities to develop, direct, and organize work-plans. Resolves organizational and operational problems. Monitors performance indicators and conducts process improvement assessments to determine work plan revisions as needed.
• Coordinates services among District agencies to ensure timely responses to neighborhood concerns. Informs other District and Federal government agencies of cases requiring their involvement, and directs the multi-agency initiatives.
• Works together with other Outreach and Services Specialists in the development of community engagement strategies. 
• Develops partnerships with other entities businesses, community-based organizations and citizens to support service initiatives and community problem solving.
• As liaison, provides project progress information to neighborhood stakeholders, including the Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, civic groups, tenant associations, faith based organizations, schools, businesses, other organizations, and residents.
• Prepares weekly progress reports to the Director; and participates in related conferences, meetings and training seminars.
• Serves as advisor and technical resource assistant to the various committees for planning, scheduling and conducting joint work efforts
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

Resume and/or cover letter must show documented professional or community experience in the following areas:

• Documented connections to the District of Columbia, with particular work or organizing experience in one of the eight Wards of the District.
• Knowledge of the program services provided through all partnering agencies, including agencies of the District of Columbia government, community groups and non profit organizations.
• Knowledge of neighborhood organizations, civic groups, tenant associations, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners, faith based organizations, and schools to establish links to develop and maintain a comprehensive service program.
• Knowledge of and skill in the application of analytical and evaluative theories, concepts, procedures, methods, standards and practices to the interpretation of policy, and to meet existing and future service requirements. 
• Ability to organize and manage projects; to review, analyze, and evaluate data; and to prepare analytical reports.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing, and to utilize tact and persuasion in gaining acceptance of the program views. Ability to interact with various types of personalities.

DOMICILE REQUIREMENT

There is a legal requirement that each new appointee to the Excepted Service either: (1) be domiciled in the District of Columbia at the time of appointment; or (2) establish District domicile within one hundred eighty (180) days of appointment.  The law also requires that Excepted Service employees maintain District domicile during the period of the appointment.  Failure to maintain District domicile during the period of the appointment will result in forfeiture of employment.

If you are a resident of the District of Columbia and interested in this role, please upload your resume and answer the questionnaire.  Only the candidates deemed most suited for the position based on resume will receive a call to schedule further discussion.