Education & Outreach Coordinator - Solid Waste

Job Summary

The City of Kirkland's Public Works Department is looking to hire an Education & Outreach Coordinator in the Solid Waste division!
This position is responsible for coordinating the City's recycling programs, behavior change campaigns, and communications and outreach efforts to reduce waste and recycle right. This is a great opportunity for someone passionate about sustainability, community engagement, and providing public education on recycling and reuse!

About Public Works

The Public Works Department ensures the City's infrastructure remains safe, functional, and sustainable. It oversees vital services including stormwater management, transportation, water and wastewater systems, maintenance of streets and grounds, and capital improvement projects.

As the City's largest department, we are committed to the City's vision and the Department's mission. We play a vital role in making Kirkland livable, sustainable, and connected. We are City employees who take pride in being trusted stewards of the public's resources, infrastructure, environment, and quality of life.

We have a One Team approach, strive for excellence and attract, value, and keep diverse, talented employees.

Why Kirkland?

Job Summary
The role of the Education & Outreach Coordinator is to research, develop, implement, and coordinate programs to promote community engagement, awareness, and/or behavior change in support of department goals and projects. Responsible for strategic marketing plan development; the oversight and coordination of assigned communication and outreach programs, including the creation of web, print publications, media releases; and coordination of special events and outreach activities. Collaborate and coordinate with others to implement a variety of outreach and education programs.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Education & Outreach Coordinator independently facilitates activities and communications between departments, programs, cities, and other outside organizations, such as helping craft regional public outreach and education activities and materials through inter-departmental committees. The Education & Outreach Coordinator performs the technical review and analysis of data and reports. In comparison, the Environmental Education & Outreach Specialist does not facilitate public engagement and primarily provides technical support for programs.

Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop outreach campaigns to inform, educate, and engage the public regarding Department programs, projects, and relevant topics. Stay abreast of community trends and emerging issues, identify messaging needs, evaluate efficacy of existing materials, and create project plans including tactics and schedules. Provide outreach in support of one-time projects as well as ongoing programs.
• Develop community engagement and/or behavior change programs to build public support, solicit input and ideas, and help achieve division goals. Identify needs and assess gaps, set goals, research and develop possible approaches, and create project plans, budgets and schedules.
• Implement outreach campaigns, community engagement, and/or behavior change programs. Coordinate and host events, develop, procure, and distribute giveaways, and evaluating program and campaign efficacy.
• Coordinate with local, regional, and community-based outreach staff and partners on large-scale goals, programs, policies, and projects to meet goals and engage with the public effectively, which may include regional benchmarking.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders within and across departments to develop and implement programs, policies, and outreach campaigns to engage with the public effectively, which may include developing a strategic marketing plan and branding.
• Develop annual program outreach and engagement strategy and budget.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate long-term outreach, education, engagement, and behavior change strategies. Analyze the effectiveness of programs and campaigns and assess progress towards Department goals. Prepare reports with recommendations and updates on goals and projects.
• Create a variety of communications materials for use in social media, traditional media, digital, print, and other channels, as appropriate. Write communications material including press releases, email, social media, and advertising campaigns. Design, assist with, or oversee design of signs, advertising, and other visual materials, which may utilize artificial intelligence to streamline processes.
• Create content for website and social media, including writing copy and designing or sourcing graphics. Manage and maintain division online presence, including City website and social media content and engagement.
• Coordinate and promote events and activities to educate and engage with community members. Provide planning and logistical support.
• Maintain understanding of current best practices and industry standards for public engagement, behavior change, and awareness outreach, especially in equitably reaching target audiences.
• Translate complex and/or technical industry information for a non-technical audience and communicate the value and importance of programs and goals. Edit, review, and proof annual reports and other material generated by others for accuracy, comprehension, and communication best practices. Maintain knowledge and understanding of current trends and practices in program industry and region.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.

Peripheral Duties:

• May write or support preparation of grant applications. May manage grants and fulfill grant reporting requirements.
• Procure and manage consultant services to support outreach and engagement campaigns and programs. May include writing Requests for Qualifications, Proposals and Bids, interviewing and selecting contractors, approving contractor work and invoices, and negotiating and recommending contract changes.
• Serve as backup Public Information Officer during emergencies and disasters working within the City's Emergency Operations Plan.
• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge, experience, and/or training in division's focus area.
• Knowledge of a range of public involvement and/or education/outreach methods and strategies.
• Knowledge of current literature, trends, and developments in the position's specialization.
• Knowledge of the use of web-based communication and social media for communicating with the public.
• Knowledge of public surveying techniques and various methods of application in governmental issues.
• Skilled in verbal and written communication.
• Skilled in operating personal computer hardware and software in developing written and graphical material; familiarity with artificial intelligence.
• Skilled in organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to interpret data to analyze community and program needs.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to foresee and address potentially sensitive political situations.
• Ability to effectively de-escalate and respond to angry or upset customers.
• Ability to work with a diverse community and team.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in education, parks and recreation, journalism, communications, marketing, public relations, environmental education, public policy, public administration, community planning, or related field.
• Experience: Three years of progressively responsible