Deputy Director of Community Engagement

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority•Boston, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA’s Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. This role will oversee agency-wide public engagement practices, including any updates to the MBTA Public Engagement Plan (as a part of the MBTA Title VI submission) and developing internal engagement guidance. This role will be the point person for public engagement questions and issues, a role critical to the public perception of the MBTA.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in related fields, such as, public policy, public administration, transportation planning, urban planning, etc.
Five (5) years of full-time professional experience developing and analyzing public policies and/or transit plans.
Two (2) years of leadership experience, people management, and/or large projects
Experience presenting in public and community settings
Demonstrated experience working successfully across departments or on cross-functional teams in a complex organization
Team oriented with strong capability to motivate, lead and mentor others
Demonstrated ability and influencing skills to facilitate stakeholders to make decisions in a multifaceted and complicated environment
Experience writing and editing reports and policy documents
Understanding of Title VI and federal civil rights requirements
Excellent executive presence and communication skills, both written and oral
Strong time management skills, ability to multi-task, learn quickly, take direction, and work independently and to use creative, collaborative, and consultative approaches to resolve issues
Ability to handle situations, issues and information with sound judgement, diplomacy, and sensitivity
Advanced expertise in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Motor Vehicle License Required
Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.
All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or [email protected] .

Nice To Haves

A Master’s degree from an accredited institution in related fields, such as, public policy, public administration, transportation planning, etc. substitutes for two (2) years of required work experience.
An Associate's degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of public policy, public administration, transportation planning, experience may be substituted for a Bachelor's Degree
A High School Diploma or GED and an additional seven (7) years of public policy, public administration, transportation planning, experience may be substituted for a Bachelor's Degree
Experience reporting and compliance for Title VI program , including service and fare equity analyses
Five (5) years of experience developing stakeholder outreach and communications plans to support initiatives
Experience working in transportation

Responsibilities

Set vision and objectives for Community Engagement for the MBTA
Develop/update internal policy and guidance documents and host trainings to achieve stated objectives (e.g., applying Public Engagement and Language Access Plans)
Manage Senior Liaison (e.g., review deliverables, manage workloads and portfolios)
Develop project specific outreach plans in coordination with other internal MBTA departments.
Represent the MBTA in public settings (e.g., public meetings, street teams, focus groups, etc.)
Coordinate with advocates and other stakeholders (e.g., maintain relationships with transit advocates, R-TAG, ROC, etc.)
Strategize continuous improvements to community engagement (how do we better reach the community?)
Update external Policy documents (PEP, LAP as a part of the FTA Triennial Title VI Submission)
Consult with project teams on scoping for upcoming engagement processes (budget, tasks, tactics, etc.)
Manage and coordinate external outreach consultants (e.g., review proposals, deliverables, etc.)
Work with Finance Dept. to develop budgets for engagement including interpretation, translations, materials, etc.
Serve as a point of contact for the transportation advocate community and other stakeholders to get feedback on the MBTA’s policy development
Work with the Office of Diversity and Civil Rights to ensure that the MBTA is submitting and following its Title VI program, including service and fare equity analyses
Cross team collaboration on special projects
Remain up to date on the research of key trends in transit ridership and the transportation industry
Respond to customer, vendor, and coworker inquiries in a courteous and professional manner
Adhere to the rules, and regulations, and policies of the Authority including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
Perform related duties and projects assigned
Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations. See applicable addendum for department or location-specific functions.