Community Engagement Manager

The Community Engagement Manager leads the Community Engagement Division within the Department of Communications and Community Engagement and partners with the department director to develop and implement the City’s Community Engagement Strategic Plan. The incumbent establishes clear, inclusive engagement practices grounded in the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) framework to strengthen relationships with existing community networks, expand outreach to underrepresented and disengaged populations, and build sustainable community partnerships.

This role supports and develops engagement initiatives and opportunities for the Mayor and Council and works collaboratively with City departments to plan and implement community engagement efforts for City projects and initiatives. These efforts ensure residents have meaningful opportunities to receive information, provide input, and offer feedback on City programs, services, projects, and policies.

The incumbent facilitates collaboration between the Community Engagement Division and the Communications Division to determine appropriate outreach tools and strategies. The incumbent also provides guidance and recommendations to departments on engagement approaches, aligned with the IAP2 framework and the City’s approved outreach tools.

The incumbent is responsible for performing difficult professional and intermediate administrative work, acting as an ombudsperson and liaison between neighborhood groups and the City of Rockville. The work includes identifying and communicating the community's needs and concerns to city departments, as well as assessing, coordinating, and facilitating the delivery of information on city projects, programs, and services to foster community engagement.

This role involves taking a proactive, occasionally influential approach to developing strategies that improve information flow and resident participation. It also requires working with departments to provide guidance and recommendations to keep all relevant parties informed about ongoing neighborhood projects, issues, and planning and development initiatives. The position involves planning, executing, and implementing engagement programs for the Mayor and Council and has significant implications for service delivery.

Regular attendance at evening and weekend meetings is required.

• Lead the development implementation of the citywide community engagement strategic plan using best practices.
  • Liaise with city departments and assist with the development of community engagement plans for projects, programs, initiatives, and events using the IAP2 framework as a guide to ensure consistency.
  • Responsible for maintaining the city’s volunteer website.

• Monitor community engagement activities, contribute to reports, and participate in the development of program evaluation projects.
• Create and implement processes for information exchange among residents, city staff, and other stakeholders to strengthen relationships and obtain stakeholder perspectives on issues, policy decisions, and policy implementation.
• Build community in the City to improve the quality of life by engaging residents to identify and resolve neighborhood issues, empower neighborhood residents to build relationships, and foster opportunities for capacity building.
• Assist individuals and neighborhood groups with the resolution of issues; serve as point of contact, providing information and recommendations; assist groups to effectively utilize established processes to resolve problems; function as mediator and group facilitator in a variety of situations and, occasionally, facilitate neighborhood meetings.
• Create, develop, and implement policies and procedures designed to establish the city’s community engagement strategy.
• Assess various community concerns, values, and opinions on City projects, programs, and initiatives and present findings to City staff.
• Review various applications submitted for city-sponsored engagement activities in assigned neighborhoods.
• Provide advice and information to communities, including publishing and…