Returning Public Engagement & Communications Specialist I - Great Lakes Division (For Current/Former HNTB Interns Only)

$56,501 - $84,752/Yr

HNTB - Madison, WI

Full-time - Entry Level

Madison, WI

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

At HNTB, we are looking for a dedicated individual to join our team as a Public Engagement Coordinator. This role is crucial in supporting the coordination and implementation of public engagement and involvement programs for various infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will assist in developing communication strategies that include creating materials and content for both digital and print platforms. This position requires a proactive approach to researching and gathering data, as well as creating project messaging resources aimed at educating the community about our initiatives. The Public Engagement Coordinator will play a key role in the development and implementation of outreach strategies designed to inform the public and stakeholders about infrastructure projects. This may involve conducting research, formulating outreach strategies, and applying best practices to ensure effective communication. The role also includes routine investigations and data collection necessary for fulfilling federal regulatory outreach requirements, including environmental impact evaluations when applicable. In addition to these responsibilities, the coordinator will prepare and disseminate outreach materials, facts, and information regarding project messaging to stakeholders, which may include external agencies, associations, and news organizations. This will be done through various communication media, including print, periodicals, radio, and social media. The coordinator will also track and maintain records related to public involvement meetings, public hearings, and outreach events, ensuring that all information is accurately reported. The role may involve drafting speeches, creating presentation materials, and composing correspondence for public consumption. The coordinator will be responsible for initial fact-checking for reports, articles, and other publications. Additionally, the position may require coordinating community meetings, public forums, and other public events, including logistics such as scheduling, location determination, advertising, and ensuring proper setup and teardown of materials according to client expectations and project goals. This position is ideal for current or former HNTB interns looking to further their careers in public engagement and communications within the infrastructure sector.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and implementation of communication and outreach strategies to educate the public and stakeholders on infrastructure projects.
• Conduct routine investigations and collect data needed for effective communications strategies and/or to fulfill federal regulatory outreach requirements.
• Prepare and coordinate dissemination of outreach materials, facts, and information on project messaging to stakeholders according to the public outreach plan.
• Track and maintain routine records and reports related to public involvement meetings, public hearings, and outreach events.
• Draft speeches, create and design presentation materials, and compose correspondence for use in mailings, meetings, or other public consumption.
• Responsible for initial fact checking for reports, articles, and other publications.
• Help coordinate community meetings, public forums, working groups, and other public meetings including scheduling, determining location, advertising, and ensuring proper setup/tear down and relevant collateral materials.
• Interact with clients to coordinate implementation of communication and outreach programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Marketing, Communications, English, Journalism or related field, or 4 years of relevant experience in lieu of education.
• Assisting with social media monitoring and content development with direction from more-experienced staff.
• Basic understanding of Adobe products (e.g., Photoshop, InDesign, InCopy) and proficiency with Microsoft products, specifically PowerPoint.
• Developing, maintaining, and updating stakeholder database.
• Researching with direction from senior staff.
• Assisting with public outreach and events information gathering/research.

Nice-to-haves

• Strong interest in transportation and infrastructure.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• 401k
• Paid holidays
• Flexible scheduling
• Professional development opportunities