ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

As the planning agency for the City of Cambridge, the Community Development Department’s (CDD) work touches upon all elements of life in the city. While projects vary, our mission unites them all: to foster a livable, sustainable, just, and equitable community for those who live, work, study, and play in Cambridge. We engage and collaborate with community partners, other government agencies, businesses and residents to make Cambridge a desirable place to live, work, learn, play, and innovate.”

ABOUT THE ROLE:

CDD has an immediate need for a part-time community outreach worker to engage with American-born Black communities in Cambridge as part of its Community Engagement Team. Reporting to the Community Engagement Manager, a Community Outreach Worker is expected to be a highly visible presence in Cambridge neighborhoods, support departmental outreach efforts to reach a diverse community, and encourage community leadership.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Become familiar with resources that CDD provides to Cambridge residents.
• Reach out to American-born Black communities in Cambridge and engage them in CDD programs, services, and planning processes, taking into account the historical context of racism in the U.S. and how it plays out in Cambridge
• Encourage American-born Black community members to participate in CDD public events and city planning work. This work may include placing flyers around the community, posting to social media, attending events, hosting focus groups, visiting local businesses or places of worship, implementing surveys, and other engagement opportunities.
• Participate in discussions and educate the staff of CDD about outreach strategies for building relationships with communities in Cambridge, including American-born Black communities.
• Attend all required meetings and training sessions and complete all assignments: document outreach activities and participate as needed in the evaluation of the program.
• Support in removing access barriers to CDD resources, programs and planning processes.
• Position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy, depending on operational needs

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Comfortable relating to and connecting with the American-born Black community in Cambridge
• English language skills to communicate fluently and spontaneously
• Cambridge resident strongly preferred
• Sincere desire to work with underserved and underrepresented Cambridge communities
• Knowledge of, or willingness to learn about, CDD programs, services, and processes
• High motivation and good time management skills
• Ability to work in a team environment
• The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.
• Familiarity with Cambridge’s American-born Black community preferred, and an understanding of the impacts of historical and structural racism on this community

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

Please upload the below documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter