City of Tampa

This is responsible technical work involving neighborhood and community relations.

An employee in this class is responsible for providing technical assistance and guidance to neighborhood stakeholders in the development of action strategies to leverage City services and enhance the quality of life. Tasks are of average difficulty and include considerable personal interaction with residents, City department personnel, corporate partners and social/civic organizations requiring tact, diplomacy and discretion. Working under general supervision, employee exercises reasonable independent judgment and initiative in responding to citizens. Weekend and evening work is required. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports submitted, and results obtained. Appointed unclassified position; employee serves at the pleasure of the Mayor.

Receives and records inquiries, complaints, concerns and requests via phone calls, emails, mail, and walk-ins and from attendance and participation at neighborhood association meetings; handles such matters directly where feasible by disseminating information on existing city programs, processes, and services; tracks citizen inquiries through a coordinated message center; tracks departmental responses to action/response requests to neighborhood needs and concerns to ensure the city is responsive to those needs; seeks to coordinate timely interdepartmental cooperation where necessary to effectively respond to neighborhood and community concerns.

Serves as a resource to the general public, responding to inquiries and providing information on the various types of departmental services, programs and projects.

Interfaces with city departments, elected officials and the community to convey concerns and reactions; tracks concerns and resolutions; seeks to coordinate timely interdepartmental cooperation where necessary to effectively respond to neighborhood and community concerns notifies supervisor of concerns requiring escalation or additional investigation.

Becomes acquainted with the citizens residing and working in neighborhoods throughout the city in an effort to gain awareness of the history, culture and challenges that exist within each predefined location; forwards information gathered from citizens to appropriate City department for action.

Educates civic and community groups regarding departmental function and the various services/programs offered. This may include scheduling public speaking engagements or neighborhood meetings.

Supports the development of programs and partnerships to address key community challenges; recruits, trains and places volunteers to assist with strategic initiatives.

Completes special projects as assigned, working on a wide variety of administrative, professional, and community issues and problems of medium complexity.
Establishes and maintains open lines of communication by personal contact with neighborhood groups, voluntary organizations and the general public; helps develop strategies to enhance information flow, neighborhood cohesiveness and citizen participation.
Coordinates and promotes neighborhood engagement meetings, programs and services designed to enhance the quality of life in City neighborhoods, including providing information on current issues and initiatives, assisting neighborhoods in setting goals and objectives, and utilizing City and community agency resources.

Assists in developing training programs to improve interactions between the City and communities.

Maintains current database of community and business contacts; updates as necessary.

Makes recommendations regarding neighborhood policies, programs and events.

Prepares monthly activity reports, quarterly and annual reports reflecting program achievements.

Performs related work as required.

Working knowledge of: business English, spelling, grammar, and arithmetic; municipal organization; City of Tampa geographical area and demographics.
Ability to: establish and maintain effective working relationships with city officials, department representatives, members of community groups, and the general public; write and speak clearly and concisely in a variety of communication settings; deal with public relations problems effectively, courteously, and tactfully; be flexible in dealing with diverse audiences; evaluate information, draw sound conclusions, and prepare and submit oral and written reports; maintain files and databases.
Skill in: planning, marketing and coordinating neighborhood meetings; computers, MS Office and various digital technologies.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree, preferably in communications, political science, urban planning, business or public administration, or related field and two (2) years of experience in community involvement.

Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license required.

Employees may be required to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed. During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.