Looking to make a difference in your community? Join the Stepherson & Associates Communications team as an Engagement Project Manager and play a crucial role in supporting the planning, design, and construction of transportation, water, land use, and energy projects. S&A seeks a Project Manager with at least five (5) years of experience designing and implementing public involvement programs on transportation, water, land use, environmental and/or energy projects. We encourage anyone with a bilingual or multicultural background to apply.

Responsibilities

• Design, development, and implementation of public involvement and communications programs for multiple infrastructure projects, applying environmental justice principles that remove barriers to participation, with a positive, respectful, and collaborative approach.
• Collaborate with and manage internal teams to delegate and complete work – providing mentorship that further develops the skills of the team.
• Develop and oversee high-quality, client-ready, public-facing materials (i.e., engagement plans, communications plans, website content, fact sheets, email updates, surveys, questionnaires, press releases, social media and a range of other project materials, etc.), and other activities as necessary to support thoughtful, equitable and culturally relevant community engagement.
• Plan, organize and facilitate online and in-person engagement activities (i.e., workshops, open houses, public meetings, etc.),
• Represent projects, clients, and public agencies as needed to support project communications and relationship building in the community and with other agencies.
• Closely track project activities, work with agency public information officers to ensure alignment of communications across projects and identify opportunities and risks.
• Develop and manage scope, budget, and contract processes for assigned projects.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, agencies, and community-based organizations.
• Lead internal engagement with other WMBE (women- and minority-owned business enterprise) consultants on the project team(s) to identify ways to support continued success and meet/exceed project utilization goals.
• Assist with proposals and business development efforts as needed for key pursuits.

Qualifications:

• At least five (5) years of demonstrated experience designing and leading engagement programs designed to broaden public involvement and improve communications with community members, particularly for marginalized communities.
• Demonstrated superior communications skills with the ability to translate complex technical information into easy-to-understand formats for non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively, navigate contentious and/or difficult conversations, resolve conflicts, propose thoughtful and innovative solutions, and gain agreement with a variety of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience leading dynamic teams on multiple projects of varying size and complexity, with a positive, respectful, and collaborative approach.
• Demonstrated experience supporting public agencies to plan and implement public involvement in transportation, water, land use, environmental, and/or energy sectors.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing communication and public involvement plans that use engagement tactics such as stakeholder interviews, public meetings, digital communications and website content, and the development of visually compelling collateral.
• A commitment to and demonstrated experience in developing and implementing equitable engagement strategies to reach marginalized communities.
• Experience managing defined scopes of work and working with clients to develop and implement public involvement strategies.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment managing multiple deadlines for multiple projects.
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage sensitive or controversial subjects with tact, kindness, and professionalism.
• Ability to self-manage; be accountable for assigned projects, identify necessary actions, and proactively manage internal teams to deliver strong results with limited oversight.
• Understanding of and commitment to the practice of public participation.
• Strong relationship-building and listening skills.
• Background in communications, community outreach, public relations, urban and regional, planning, environmental studies, environmental education, public policy, political science, orrelated field.

Organizational values: At S&A, we are expressly committed to equity and social justice, and as a team are centering equity through our work and our individual actions. We believe in supporting our staff in their personal and professional growth, providing new opportunities, building relationships, giving back, and having fun! To support our staff in their personal and professional growth, all staff attend equity workshops, led by a professional facilitator who supports our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion journey.

Workplace culture: S&A is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment that protects our employees, their families, and the broader community from COVID-19. All S&A staff are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. We are a hybrid workplace and work with employees to establish a schedule that works best for them and our teams. Most staff come into the office at least once per week. Staff managers work with employees to help to take full advantage of learning opportunities found through onsite collaboration and connection with colleagues and other project staff.

Salary and benefits: S&A offers a salary commensurate with experience and competitive benefits. The salary range for this position is $75k-$100k. Benefits include paid vacation, sick, and volunteer days; paid holidays; bonuses; health coverage (medical, dental, vision); disability; parental leave; 401(k) with company match; transit pass; and free use of on-site fitness center.

EEO: We encourage anyone with a bilingual or multicultural background to apply. S&A is an equal-opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.

To apply: Send your resume and cover letter to careers@stephersonassociates.com. We welcome work samples that demonstrate your strong project management and communications skills.