Economic Development Engagement Specialist

Salary range is $25.00/hour to $69.23/hour with a midpoint of $47.12/hour. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues

GENERAL PURPOSE: Reporting to the Senior Program Manager - Economic Development Engagement and under general direction, the Economic Development Engagement Specialist is responsible for coordinating and implementing the agency's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Small Business technical assistance, outreach and engagement programs and activities. Builds relationships and partnerships; serves as a liaison between Sound Transit and members of the community; plans and coordinates training and events; creates materials; staffs community events.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Coordinates, collaborates and provides internal and external communications about Sound Transit's Economic Development programs and initiatives;
• Works as part of a team to plan, coordinate and execute outreach and engagement events and activities.
• Administers external Economic Development vendor engagement programs and activities associated with training, technical assistance and capacity building.
• Administers internal Economic Development training and engagement programs and activities.
• Creates materials depicting qualitative and/or quantitative information regarding Sound Transit's Economic Development programs and initiatives to the public via a variety of digital and physical communication channels.
• Develops, implements and manages event logistics for both remote and in-person events and outreach activities.
• Builds relationships and partnerships; serves as a liaison and point of contact between Sound Transit, DBEs, small businesses and members of the community. May serve as the Sound Transit representative and project manager for partnerships, agreements, etc.
• Attends public events, open houses, and community gatherings. Creates presentations and speaks publicly. Writes a variety of public communication pieces including newsletters, procurement notices, brochures, flyers, postcards, websites, annual reports, staff reports, etc.
• Recommends methods for collecting feedback and input on Economic Development programs and initiatives. Collects, synthesizes and reports on public input and impact of economic development programs and initiatives.
• Edits public information materials, proofreading and quality assurance. Coordinates internal review of printed and digital materials.
• Ensures that proper document control processes are followed.
• Evaluates your work through a lens of social and racial equity to improve upon existing practices. Applying equity and social justice principles is a foundational expectation for the community engagement team at Sound Transit. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work on a daily basis.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Accounting, Management or closely related field. Four years of experience in communications, journalism, marketing, public administration, business administration, public affairs or a related field; OR a combination of education and experience.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Principles, practices, and standards of Business Inclusion: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Small Business programs and functions.
• Principles and practices of program and project development and administration.
• Methods and techniques of internal and external communications as well as community engagement
• Communications, including knowledge of public relations, event planning, marketing, digital and social media disciplines.
• Developing community partnerships.
• Responding tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, businesses, community stakeholders, Agency staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility.
• Applying appropriate oral and written communication techniques to various individuals ranging from Agency employees, the general public, elected officials, community leaders, and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Researching, analyzing, and evaluating new public involvement methods and techniques.
• Methods and techniques of data collection, research, and report preparation.
• Preparing and analyzing complex data and comprehensive reports.
• Principles of business letter writing and basic report preparation.
• Conducting research and analysis and providing appropriate recommendations based on findings.
• Working effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adjust to changing priorities.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Strategy, planning, and project management for engagement and outreach.
• Event management.
• Foundational understanding of equity and anti-racism principles and practices.
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships.
• Building trust and credibility.
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written including public speaking.
• Strong analytical skills,
• Program/project management.
• Managing conflict.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Video conference software such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
• Microsoft: Office, Publisher, SharePoint, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Power BI.
• Adobe Suite: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop.
• Tableau
• Survey Tools: Alchemer, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.