Communications & Public Involvement Coordinator

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Public Involvement Coordinator for our Washington, DC office. Be involved in projects with our Practice and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges.

The position will support communications and public engagement efforts for a variety of transportation infrastructure projects in the Mid-Atlantic region. The position may also support other WSP communications and public involvement efforts nationally as needed. This is an exciting opportunity to join our national team of talented communications and public outreach/public information professionals.

Your Impact

• Develop effective public outreach materials to maximize public awareness and understanding of infrastructure projects
• Take initiative on and ownership of public involvement tasks to develop effective strategies that solicit public input
• Organize and participate in stakeholder and public engagements and implement public involvement tools and strategies
• Serve as liaison between projects, stakeholders, and the community to help inform project development.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement messaging and engagement strategies that educate the community on the purpose, need, benefits and perceived impacts of projects and programs
• Develop news releases, brochures, fact sheets, surveys, media alerts and other collateral for the public and media
• Research and write content for a variety of communication channels, including website, social media, presentations, marketing materials and media notifications, and talking points
• Coordinate and participate in virtual and in-person public meetings and community events with various neighborhood groups and/or other stakeholders as assigned
• Attend external project, agency, and community meetings to provide public involvement updates and identify public involvement issues
• Analyze public feedback and comments and draft responses to public inquiries, escalated stakeholder issues, and media inquiries
• Implement strategic social media outreach plans including the research, writing and vetting of various posts (X, Facebook, Instagram etc.)
• Review and analyze stakeholder feedback, including digital impressions and interactions
• Develop survey questions to collect input from stakeholders on range of topics, and analyze and summarize results
• Direct the work of support services such as graphic design, website development, video, and photography as needed
• Monitor, archive and escalate media coverage of project issues
• Work closely with project teams and clients on communications alignment with client priorities and program messaging
• Identify opportunities for community and professional involvement for the project team
• Build strong relationships with internal and external clients and assist with business development activities
• Interact in a clear and concise manner with a variety of diverse audiences
• Perform other duties as assigned or required by WSP USA Inc. and our clients
• Talent is the essence of meeting our client’s objectives, goals and challenges. If this sounds like a fit for you, we’d love to have that first discussion of you joining our team.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications/Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Urban Planning or a related field
• 3-5 years of communications or planning experience
• Outstanding oral, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Superior organizational, time management and creative skills
• Proven experience writing content for website, social media, and media notifications
• Ability to understand and translate complex, technical information into easy-to-understand content for public consumption
• High attention to detail; proofreading skills
• Deadline driven with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Proven experience using social media for outreach campaigns
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to work effectively with teams and demonstrate initiative to lead tasks
• Ability to work well with the public and interact effectively with all organizational levels, including senior management
• Ability to work meetings and events on some nights and weekends
• Ability to travel to facilitate meetings and events
• Candidate must be able to immediately work in the United States on a full time permanent basis.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Communications/public involvement experience with infrastructure (transportation, energy, water, construction, etc.) projects
• Graphic design skills with proficiency in Adobe suite products (InDesign, Photoshop, etc.)
• Bilingual in Spanish with the ability to communicate effectively in Spanish and provide written and in-person translations for materials and at public events
• Previous experience with planning public meetings (in-person and virtual)
• Local candidate (DC/MD/VA)
• Must successfully complete and pass WSP’s Motor Vehicle screening.

WSP Benefits:

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation:

Expected Salary (all locations): $80,500 - $110,500

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.