Wash. Co. Solid Waste & Recycling Bilingual Communication & Education specialist (Close May 2)

Bilingual Program Communication and Education Specialist

APPLY

Salary

$29.64 - $36.02 Hourly

Location

Hillsboro, OR

Job Type

Limited Duration

Department

Health and Human Services

Job Number

2021-090

Closing

5/2/2021 11:59 PM Pacific

THE POSITION


* This opportunity is full-time Limited Duration with a tentative end date of 6/30/2022. *


Are you interested in helping educate the community on waste reduction and recycling? Do you excel at outreach and communicating information to others? If so, join the Solid Waste and Recycling Division of Washington County Health and Human Services (HHS) Department as a English/Spanish Bilingual Program Communication and Education Specialist!

The Bilingual Program Communication and Education Specialist will provide information and education to the community on behalf of Washington County Solid Waste & Recycling Division. The outreach will focus on materials management programs serving a diverse array of businesses and community members. This includes developing and implementing specialized informational programs promoting waste reduction and recycling through technical assistance, presentations, community partnerships and other outreach techniques. This position will also support the implementation of Washington County’s required waste recovery ordinances.
Equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of Washington County Health and Human Services. Employees are expected to honor the life experiences of all individuals with whom they come into contact and recognize the impact of past injustices, microaggressions and trauma. The Bilingual Program Communication and Education Specialist is expected to value alternative perspectives, embrace differences and approach each individual and situation with a willingness to learn and grow while actively challenging discrimination throughout their entire scope of work.
The ideal candidate will have experience in providing information, education, resources and/or assistance to Latinx communities. They will also be an effective oral communicator with experience in giving presentations, sharing information through videos, webinars, community meetings, and/or tabling at events. The individual will be an effective writer with experience working on external communication such as newsletters and social media and internal communication like program plans. Additionally, they will have knowledge of equity practices and principles, including the ability to identify and understand the unique needs of historically marginalized communities. They will have the ability to work in a team situation with individuals of varying backgrounds, ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals, whether members of the public, co-workers, or business groups, from diverse groups and backgrounds. Waste reduction and recycling expertise is not required for this position, and training will be provided to the successful candidate.
Bilingual Positions:
Designated bilingual positions require that the incumbent have knowledge of the Spanish language, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Skill in writing Spanish accurately; ability to speak Spanish fluently; and ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. If you possess these skills, you are encouraged to apply. An additional $55/per pay period for bilingual skills will be paid to qualified employees. Pay periods are every two weeks.

To learn more about us, please use these link: Solid Waste & Recycling
Washington County values a culture of equity, diverse perspectives, and life experiences. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration and work-life harmony. We offer job stability, a comprehensive benefits package, and an opportunity to serve and support our diverse community. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity and an inclusive workforce. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Depending upon assignment, the incumbent may perform a combination of some or all of the following duties which represent the level of work appropriate to this classification:
 

  1. Plans, designs, develops and implements specialized informational and educational programs related to the County's public service programs, including:

    • Develops and implements a public information program in coordination with assigned program manager;

    • Identifies needs for public information and education; assists in the development of educational/informational outreach work plans;

    • Accepts requests from department personnel for public information projects and develops work plans;

    • Assists in the internal coordination of information for output to media and the public;

    • Identifies graphic needs; coordinates the design, development, and printing of graphics materials; and

    • Updates social media channels as assigned.

  2. Provides direct public information through public presentations and outreach; acts as general information resource, referring inquiries to appropriate department personnel; speaks with individuals and groups to promote community involvement of department plans.

  3. Acts as liaison between the department management and community, business, and public sector organizations; explains department goals and plans; provides input to the department from outside agencies; identifies citizen attitudes and concerns; advises the department on public information needs and methods.

  4. Prepares and distributes printed and electronic information and materials related to public service programs.

  5. Assists in creating a positive and supportive work environment; enforces a safe workplace; establishes a culture of teamwork and communication; creates a workplace that promotes the organizational values of workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion; and actively promotes an environment respectful of living and working in a multicultural society.

  6. Recruits volunteers to work in department programs and services; contacts civic groups, develops advertising and public relations programs for recruitment; develops information materials for use by potential volunteers.

  7. Develops and implements orientation and educational programs for volunteers; keeps volunteers informed of new resources, community activities, and programs, which impact their functions.

  8. Evaluates volunteer personnel and program organization for effectiveness; initiates changes in coordination with departmental staff as needed.

  9. Maintains records on volunteer programs for departmental use.

  10. Arranges and organizes community involvement and outreach functions, meetings, conferences, workshops and training seminars.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Education and Experience:
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

  • Possession of or completion of college-level training equivalent to an Associate's Degree in communication, journalism, public relations, education, education in program related area, or related fields; AND

  • One (1) year of work experience in the development, coordination, and delivery of a public information and communication or community outreach program.

Additional Licenses, Certificates, Physical Abilities and Specialty Requirements:

  • Possession of a Driver's license valid in the State of Oregon and an acceptable driving record per Washington County policy.

  • Bilingual positions will require the ability to speak, read, write, and translate Spanish into English and English into Spanish.

Department of Motor Vehicle Records (DMV) Requirement:
Driving a motorized vehicle is an essential function of this position. Successful applicants must possess a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record. To review the Driver's License and Record Policy for Washington County and instructions for submitting appropriate DMV documentation, please use this link: Driver's License & Records Policy.

Washington County organizes its positions into classifications. Classification descriptions are typically written broadly. To review this classification, please use this link:
Program Communication and Education Specialist.

Please be clear and specific in the applicable sections of the employment application about how your background is relevant. This information must also be consistent with your supplemental question responses. Please note: Answers to the supplemental questions are typically evaluated separately from your application.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Washington County is committed to using a Merit Based System in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities.

SELECTION PROCESS:
1. An evaluation of training and experience of submitted application packets will be performed by Human Resources. The timeframe to review will be the week of May 3, 2021.

2. Candidates that pass the Human Resources evaluation will be invited to participate in an online written Spanish language aptitude examination. The timeframe for this evaluation is tentatively scheduled for the week of May 10, 2021. Candidates will also be required to pass an oral Spanish language test prior to a placement in the position. 

3. A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Panel may perform a further evaluation of experience and training taken from your employment application materials to include responses to supplemental questionnaire. This process may begin after May 24, 2021.

4. Our goal is to schedule oral panel interviews with candidates that successfully passed the Spanish language aptitude examination and SME evaluation step as soon as possible.  

Please note: candidates that are successful in the evaluation process may have their applications referred for additional vacancies in the same classification, or job family.