Community Outreach Specialist (4+ yrs exp.)

The Valerin Group (Valerin) has an opening for an experienced community outreach specialist in the Tampa Bay area. The position will support, assist, and offer guidance on projects requiring public involvement, public information (construction), outreach and communications. The selected candidate will also join a talented group of Valerin communications, creative and technical professionals supporting projects, programs and initiatives for public agencies such as the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), municipalities, counties, expressway and transit authorities, and planning organizations. Candidates MUST have prior relevant experience (as mentioned above) supporting the public sector to be considered for this position. Please note that this is not a healthcare-related position.

As part of Valerin’s communications, marketing, and public involvement/public information practices, you will be assigned to work on a wide range of transportation and public infrastructure projects supporting the development and implementation of communication and public engagement strategies and activities.

Your Impact

• Attend various project meetings as necessary to understand current project issues
• Develop content and work with Valerin’s creative team to produce information deliverables - fact sheets, PowerPoint presentations, graphics, etc.
• Work with client project management to identify and assist with public information and community engagement related to project delivery
• Serve as liaison between client projects and the community related to ongoing and future projects
• Develop and plan public engagement and outreach campaigns prior to the start of a project
• Coordinate and schedule mass mailers and other community outreach strategies and activities related to transportation and other public infrastructure projects and initiatives
• Research and help resolve community or stakeholder issues pertaining to client projects
• Research, draft responses, check for accuracy, and seek approval to address a variety of media requests and elected official inquiries as requested by the client
• Promote client programs and initiatives by establishing, developing, and maintaining contact with media, professional and civic organizations, and other special interest groups
• Coordinate and participate in public meetings with various neighborhood groups and/or other client stakeholders as assigned
• Develop special educational and promotional materials for presentations at meetings and conferences
• Organize and support various special events, groundbreakings, ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremonies, and public meetings
• Research, develop responses and generate posts for social media platforms (X, Facebook, etc.)
• Research and develop content for project webpages and newsletters
• Reply to and document inquiries from the public and resolve concerns on behalf of the client

Talent is the essence of meeting our clients’ objectives, goals and challenges. If this sounds like a fit, we would welcome a discussion with you about joining our team.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Extensive and relevant experience providing public involvement and/or public information services for transportation and/or public infrastructure projects for the public sector – REQUIRED
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or a related field or equivalent work experience
• Ability to work well with the public and interact effectively with all organizational levels, including agency/client staff, senior management, executive leadership, board members, community leaders, and city/county/state representatives
• Excellent verbal, writing, and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently and interdependently with teams and demonstrate initiative
• Ability to work beyond standard business hours (when required)
• Strong time management skills and high attention to detail
• Ability to meet deadlines and multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Strong computer skills, including experience with Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint. Experience with webinar platforms such as ZOOM and GoToWebinar a plus.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, conduct, and related policies and procedures

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience using AP style in the creation of documents
• Public involvement training from Florida Department of Transportation
• Bilingual (Spanish and English) communications/translations (a plus)
• Familiarity with West Central Florida, including Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota and Polk Counties
• Resides in or near Hillsborough County
• Experience developing social media content using platform formats

Additional Details

• Travel Required: Local travel required
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Primary Office/Work Location: Tampa (Carrollwood/Northdale area) – projects located throughout the region

About Valerin

Valerin provides a flexible, agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At Valerin, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

Valerin is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person