Outreach Specialist

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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