Public Outreach and Community Engagement Specialist

About the Position

Were looking for a dynamic Public Outreach/Community Engagement Specialist to lead public involvement efforts for large rail projects in Texas. In this role youll be at the forefront of connecting people to progressdeveloping and executing outreach strategies that ensure transparency inclusivity and community support. Youll organize public meetings stakeholder briefings and interactive workshops ensuring residents businesses and local leaders stay informed and engaged. If you thrive on building relationships managing multichannel communication efforts and crafting compelling narratives that inspire public trust this is your chance to make a difference. Working closely with engineers environmental planners and government agencies youll align engagement strategies with construction milestones regulatory requirements and community expectationskeeping the public informed every step of the way.

This role is perfect for someone who loves being in the field listening to community voices and developing creative solutions to address public concerns. Youll have the opportunity to build relationships with diverse communities shape messaging that resonates with different audiences and implement cuttingedge outreach tools. Whether its hosting town halls managing digital engagement platforms or responding to community questions in realtime youll be a key advocate for public involvement in this transformative infrastructure project. If you have a passion for largescale transportation initiatives expertise in public engagement and the ability to navigate complex political and regulatory landscapes we want to hear from you. Join us and be part of a team thats not just constructing a rail system but creating a new era of transit that connects people places and possibilities!

This is a longterm fulltime onsite position located in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth or Houston metro areas.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive public outreach strategies to ensure community awareness and engagement throughout the rail construction process.
• Plan coordinate and facilitate public meetings open houses and stakeholder briefings to provide project updates and gather community input.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the project team local communities businesses and key stakeholders to address concerns and build strong relationships.
• Create and manage outreach materials including fact sheets presentations newsletters social media content and website updates to keep the public informed.
• Coordinate with engineers planners and government agencies to align public engagement efforts with construction milestones and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and execute digital and inperson engagement campaigns to reach diverse audiences including underserved and impacted communities.
• Monitor public sentiment gather feedback through surveys and engagement tools and provide insights to project leadership for informed decisionmaking.
• Manage crisis communication efforts by proactively addressing community concerns and responding to emerging issues in a timely and transparent manner.
• Organize and participate in community events transportation forums and advocacy meetings to represent the project and enhance public trust.
• Ensure compliance with local state and federal regulations related to public participation environmental justice and transportation equity.
• Track and report on outreach metrics engagement outcomes and key public concerns to refine strategies and improve communication effectiveness.
• Collaborate with media teams to coordinate press releases interviews and public relations efforts related to the projects community impact.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong communication skills both verbal and written to effectively engage with diverse audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to build relationships and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Empathy cultural awareness and emotional intelligence for connecting with communities and addressing their concerns.
• Adaptability problemsolving and strategic thinking for navigating challenges and refining engagement approaches.
• Public speaking facilitation and organizational skills for managing outreach efforts and leading community discussions with confidence.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in communications public relations urban planning political science or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5 years of experience in public outreach community engagement or stakeholder relations preferably within large civil infrastructure (highways roads etc. transit or rail transit projects.
• Proven ability to develop and execute public involvement strategies including organizing public meetings workshops and stakeholder briefings.
• Experience creating outreach materials such as newsletters presentations social media content and press releases.
• Experience working with diverse communities including historically underserved populations and a deep understanding of equity and environmental justice principles.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple communication channels including digital platforms social media and direct community engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to handle highpressure situations address public concerns diplomatically and navigate sensitive political and regulatory landscapes.
• Familiarity with local state and federal regulations related to public engagement transportation planning and environmental review processes.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams including engineers planners government agencies and public affairs professionals.
• Willingness to travel within the project region and work occasional evenings and weekends as needed for community events and stakeholder meetings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Outlook Work Excel etc. and other industry standard software/tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in communications public relations urban planning transportation planning political science or a related field.
• 10 years of experience in public outreach community engagement or stakeholder relations on largescale rail transit transportation or infrastructure projects.
• Strong background in crisis communication and issue management with experience developing rapidresponse strategies for public concerns.
• A demonstrated track record of successfully managing largescale public engagement campaigns including media coordination and social media strategy.

Compensation Details

The salary range listed for this role is $83k$156k/yr $40$75/hr). The final salary offered is based on multiple factors and is thoughtfully aligned with each candidates level of experience breadth of skills total education achieved certifications/licenses that have been obtained etc.

Just LOOK at the Benefits We Offer!

• Unlimited Flexible Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare and Dependent/Elder Care)
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Policy
• 401(k) Plan with Guaranteed Employer Contribution
• Formal Career Planning and Development Program
• $2500 Annually Towards Professional Development
• Wellness Program with Monthly Wellness Stipend
• Company Cell Phone or Cell Phone Plan Reimbursement
• Free Personalized Meal Planning & Nutrition Support with a Registered Dietitian
• Free Personal Financial Planning Services
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Specific plan details for each benefit offering above will be provided upon offer (e.g. percentages of coverage premium costs etc. #INLNJS

Luster is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to criminal history race color religion gender gender identity or expression sexual orientation national origin genetics disability age or veteran status. This employer participates in EVerify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employees I9 to confirm work authorization.

All positions may be subject to a background check and drug test once a conditional offer of employment is made for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities in accordance with all applicable local state and/or federal regulations.

This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities duties and skills for the position.

Luster does not accept unsolicited resumes. In the absence of a signed agreement Luster will not consider or agree to payment of any kind. Any unsolicited resumes presented to Luster personnel including those submitted to Luster hiring managers are deemed to be the property of Luster.

Please email for accommodations necessary to complete the application process.