Public Engagement Senior Supervisor

Job Summary

The Natural Areas Public Engagement Senior Supervisor manages the daily operations of the Public Engagement Team whose responsibilities include communications, educational programming, volunteer management, equity and inclusion, and public engagement. The team includes three full-time Public Engagement Specialists and one to four part-time hourly Public Engagement Assistants.

In addition to supervising the team, the Sr. Supervisor leads the strategic elements of communications and public engagement efforts. They are responsible for collaboratively creating, and coordinating implementation of, an annual Public Engagement Plan and an annual Strategic Communications Plan with internal partners and the Public Engagement Manager. The Sr. Supervisor serves as the project manager for special events, projects, initiatives, and plans that are complex, potentially sensitive, and highly visible. 

The first year work plan includes onboarding and supporting the transition to a new organizational structure (this is a new supervisory position). It also includes activities such as project managing a natural area grand opening event and serving on a cross-departmental team to plan and implement Natural Areas’ long-range plan public engagement process. This position will support the development, management, and update of a large inventory of interpretive signs and a variety of printed brochures, and may lead some communications projects.

This job summary describes this particular position, while the Essential Duties and Responsibilities, below, are the standard job description that applies to all Public Engagement Sr. Supervisors across the City organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.

• Manages and oversees the Department/Division’s education, public engagement, and outreach efforts, to ensure alignment with goals of the Department and Service Area.
• May manage and oversee the Department/Division’s communications and volunteer management efforts.
• Manages the daily operations of a work team. Receives assignments in the form of objectives with goals and the process by which to meet goals. Management reviews work to measure meeting of objectives. Provides direction to direct reports according to established policies and management guidance. Administers City policies that apply to direct reports.
• Supervises and provides leadership and support to team members including conducting employee performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and administrative investigations, and interpreting and implementing policies. Leads hiring of staff, with the support of a manager.
• Leads equity and inclusion efforts as they apply uniquely to Public Engagement and the education and outreach profession. Continually learns and adapts to support cultural competence. Models meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives and cultural backgrounds. Builds processes, procedures, and training with equity and inclusion in mind.
• Reviews data, develops reports and summaries, and maintains data including public input, program participation, and evaluation feedback statistics.
• Performs a range of Public Engagement Specialist duties as well as administrative and managerial functions. Performs functions of employees supervised, typically no more than 20% of the time.
• Reports to and collaborates with a manager on work planning, management, initiatives, and projects.
• Assists with development of Department/Division strategic plans, policies, and procedures.
• Supports the teambuilding, collaboration, and interdependence of team members with other staff and external partners.
• May develop and implement presentations or activities such as workshops, educational field trips, tours, focus groups, or presentations.
• Advises staff regarding the development of effective plans and practices related to education, public engagement, and communications.
• Maintains and pursues partnerships with groups such as community organizations, governmental entities, non-profits, and educational institutions.
• May oversee communications and marketing efforts.
• Conducts research and makes recommendations for budget, employee staffing levels, scheduling and other topics as assigned. Limited budget responsibility.
• Initiates programs/ projects as necessary; participates in department projects.
• Identifies and manages training and professional development of a Public Engagement Team.

Management Responsibilities

Yes

City Competencies

• Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
• A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
• A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.
• Experience building teams and implementing practices to lead others well in an inclusive, high-performance organization. Skill in integrating and synthesizing others’ viewpoints to build alignment of diverse perspectives to achieve results.
• Capable of creating conditions of emotional safety and demonstrates self-awareness and regulation in responding to others.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Must be able to utilize considerable independent judgment, discretion and initiative.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with City staff, youth, education professionals, and the general public.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive and effective working relationship with staff, volunteers, committees, officials, and visitors.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of effective youth and adult education and outreach.
• Working knowledge of organization's services and events.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to coordinate team of educators and educational programs.
• Ability to use Microsoft applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently.

Required Qualifications

MINIMUM

PREFERRED

College degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees 

Some positions may require functionally related Bachelor's degree in public relations, education, communications, marketing, or a related field.

Experience Requirements

• Three (3) to five (5) years related supervisory experience including public participation/ engagement, community relations, communications or environmental education; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.