Community Relations Coordinator - Bellevue Essentials

Salary : $90,045.00 - $117,000.00 Annually
Location : Bellevue, WA
Job Type: Regular
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 25-00082
Department: Community Development
Division: CD NeighSvcs Outreach
Opening Date: 02/19/2025
Closing Date: 3/9/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more.
Job Summary
Community Development Department vision:

Securing Bellevue's future as a livable, inspiring, vibrant and equitable community.

Bellevue is a city of diverse and connected neighborhoods that provide amenities and opportunities for a high quality of life. People from around the world are welcomed by people from around the corner. The strong connections among neighbors contribute to creating a welcoming and inclusive community for all, greater mutual understanding, and the ability of neighborhoods to respond to change. Bellevue listens, engages and values the many voices within our community, and residents know they are an essential part of their community and have many opportunities to engage with the city and each other.

The Community Relations Coordinator is a member of the Neighborhood Outreach team, which is supervised by the Neighborhood Outreach Manager in Neighborhood Services, a division of the Community Development Department.

The Neighborhood Outreach team is looking for our next Community Relations Coordinator. The coordinator will focus on improving two-way communication and outreach with Bellevue's residents, workers, visitors and building connections and community within Bellevue's diverse neighborhoods. The coordinator will also develop, launch and oversee programs that build understanding and community connections.

This position will be the key leader for the Bellevue Essentials program, including the Bellevue Essentials Extended alumni network. Bellevue Essentials is a 10-week civic engagement program that helps the annual cohort of 35 community members understand city government and the avenues to get involved and influence their community. Participants experience the daily structure and operations of city services that make Bellevue a great place to live, work and play.

As part of the Outreach Team, the coordinator will also assist with other Neighborhood Outreach programs and events, such as Neighborhood Enhancement Program, Neighborhood Walks, Experience Bellevue, Keep Bellevue Beautiful, Cultural Conversations and other events, and will serve as a primary point of contact for the community as a neighborhood liaison for several neighborhood areas. This position manages, develops, coordinates and implements programming and events that are important to residents, businesses, visitors and advances city priorities.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate aptitude for working directly with multicultural and multilingual communities, be experienced in creative public outreach and engagement, co-creation and program management, community collaboration and have a vision to provide pathways for civic engagement for a diverse and changing community. Direct knowledge of immigrant and multifamily communities is preferred, and the new coordinator will develop outreach strategies with the Outreach Team to serve and learn from all of our community.
Neighborhood programming promotes resident involvement and empowerment in the community and provides opportunities for residents to learn about city programs, services and operations. This position is focused on deepening civic engagement with Bellevue's diverse communities and improving city understanding and responsiveness to emerging concerns.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Performs duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional area which may include, but are not limited to, a combination of the following tasks and roles:

• Lead all aspects of the Bellevue Essentials program, including marketing, event planning, interdepartmental coordination, and strategic oversight and adjustments of the program, including the Bellevue Essentials Extended alumni network.
• Participate as a neighborhood liaison for Bellevue residents, providing a key point of contact, communication and connection to residents, neighborhood associations and community groups for a portion of the service area.
• Lead outreach efforts that strengthen two-way communication and connection with Bellevue's community residents, including in-person outreach to establish trust and new connections, with individuals, advocacy groups and community organizations.
• Create new approaches to community outreach and engagement that apply an equity lens to community outreach, building new systems, structures and new programs and demographic documentation that improve the participation of and outcomes for Bellevue's diverse communities in civic engagement and city responsiveness to emerging community needs and historic inequities.
• Integrate guiding principles of equity, access, inclusion, belonging and cultural competence into city outreach events and programming.
• Provide program administration for program outcomes, including material procurement, fiscal stewardship, communication and marketing, volunteer management, contracting and measuring key performance data.
• Create, with other city staff, all communication program materials, website maintenance, distribution lists, newsletters, reports and presentations relating to program development.
• Communicate, advise and collaborate with city staff regarding neighborhood issues.
• Work as part of the Neighborhood Outreach Team to plan and implement projects and approaches to resident involvement and neighborhood service delivery.
• Ensure effective two-way communication with residents and community members to address emerging concerns.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to neighborhood, community and decision-making groups.
• Work with neighborhoods to identify and address city and neighborhood issues that affect other city departments.
• Plan and complete public outreach events that support outreach initiatives, including all supporting logistics and follow-up materials.
• Craft, with other city staff, communication strategies, press releases, social media posts and related summaries of community meetings for public awareness and engagement.
• Track performance measures for engagement and programming to evaluate effectiveness and adapt approaches to improve outcomes for residents and stakeholders.
• Support additional public engagement strategies and implementation for citywide initiatives to ensure transparency and broaden public input in city decision-making.

Qualifications
Education and Experience

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in public administration, communications, political science or a related field.
• Three years of related professional experience in public outreach, program and event planning and management, community organizing or providing direct customer service with diverse communities.
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Multilingual skills preferred.

Core Competencies

• Builds networks: Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.
• Interpersonal savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
• Optimizing work processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Communicates effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Organizational capacity: Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process and people-related organizational dynamics .
• Values differences: Recognizing the values that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Understanding cultural competence: Produce equitable policies and practices by developing skills and knowledge that facilitate effective interactions across diverse cultures.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong event planning and public outreach skills and knowledge of the principles and practices of group process, community organizing, and public participation that broadens participation for a diverse community.
• Resourceful and adaptable to meet changing and emerging community needs and have the ability to work independently and collaboratively to problem solve and identify gaps in service.
• Adept at listening, public speaking, facilitation and community presentations.
• Excellent written communication skills, including developing messages for a variety of audiences, an ability to produce quality written materials, reports, and program updates for the community, city leadership and Bellevue City Council.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships with various stakeholders, establishing and maintaining strong relationships with community organizations, neighborhood groups, business leaders, City departments, governmental jurisdictions, regional partnership agencies and media.
• Knowledge of community outreach and public relations principles, practices, methods and techniques, leading to community empowerment.
• Ability to plan, execute and manage multiple outreach efforts, including identifying project milestones, timelines, essential materials, and communication strategies utilizing appropriate and varied techniques for each purpose and audience.
• Contribute to Bellevue's One City culture and values of Sharing Leadership.
• Communicating and Collaborating Widely, Engaging and Empowering Employees.
• Encouraging Innovation, and Keeping a Short- and Long-term vision.
• Use good judgment in prioritizing work assignments.

Supplemental Information
WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position or that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed both at City Hall with a considerable number of meetings outside the office environment.
• Travel to and from meetings at various local locations.
• Attend evening and weekend meetings and events as required.

Flexible/Hybrid Working:
A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period working in the office after hire. Remote work for this position is subject to department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.

HIRING PROCESS
The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.
** Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.**
The City of Bellevue offers employees a comprehensive benefits package providing choice, flexibility, and value!

Please Note: Seasonal, part-time, and variable employees are not eligible for the below benefits except for mandatory participation in the retirement plan assigned to the position, which will be the Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT 2) retirement plan or the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement plan and any other benefits as required by law.

The following summary applies to fully benefited positions:
Medical
Employees are offered a choice of medical coverage through the City's self-insured Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan or Kaiser Permanente (HMO).
Dental
Employees are offered a choice of two dental carriers with plans that offer regular checkups, x-rays, fillings, and crowns. Orthodontia is available through one of the carriers.
Vision
Employees are offered a choice of vision coverage through an annual exam-only plan or a buy-up plan which includes an annual eye exam and hardware coverage.

Retirement Plans - Employees are offered three retirement plans:

• Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS): Mandatory participation (PERS, LEOFF or PSERS), depending upon eligibility.
• City of Bellevue Municipal Employee's Benefit Trust (MEBT): Optional participation in this 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match contributions that vest on a 3-year schedule.
• Deferred Compensation Program (457 DCP): Optional participation in the supplemental Deferred Compensation Program also administered by DRS that allows tax-deferred savings into a variety of investments options.

Other benefits include:
More detailed information about our employee benefits is available at

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Survivor Income
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 11 observed holidays per year plus 2 additional personal holidays, vacation (standard accrual of 12 days a year), and sick leave (accumulated at the rate of one day per month)
• An ORCA Card bus pass
• On-site fitness center, and self service food/coffee options
• Career development and training programs
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Paydays - The City of Bellevue pays employees on the 8th and the 23rd of each month (24 pay periods per year).

Please note that the City does not participate in the Social Security Administration (SSA) program, and employees do not earn social security credits. The mandatory DRS retirement pension plan provides the required social security replacement plan. Any social security benefits earned at other places of employment may be reduced because they are subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision or the Government Pension Offset.

NOTE: This is a brief summary of the benefit programs for the City's non-represented employees. Every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Benefits for employees represented by a may have different benefits. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a CBA, the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
01

What is one example of a program in which you provided key leadership, including your role in setting event objectives, all aspects of event planning and logistics, marketing and strategic evaluation?
02

Describe your professional experience in public outreach or providing direct customer services to diverse communities.
03

What is your relevant experience with immigrant communities that would inform your approach to innovating and leading efforts that lead to improved community connections?
Required Question