Senior Community Engagement Specialist in Seattle, Washington at PRR

About PRR

PRR is a full-service communications firm that serves the transportation, environment, and health sectors. We provide integrated communications services that help clients make informed decisions and build stronger, more inclusive communities. Our clients include government agencies at the national, state, and local level; nonprofit organizations, and mission-driven private sector clients. Our commitment lies in providing an environment where our team engages with intriguing and challenging projects while integrating their professional aspirations with personal values. If you're seeking a career with a company that leaves a positive imprint on the environment, human well-being, and the communities our clients serve, PRR welcomes you.

This position will manage and implement strategic communications and community engagement primarily for water infrastructure projects, primarily in Washington State. This role will work approximately half time on one large wastewater infrastructure project and split the remaining time between several smaller projects. This is a hybrid position. The selected candidate can work remotely but is also expected to conduct in-person outreach in Seattle, attend in-person meetings as needed, and maintain a regular presence in PRR’s Seattle office.

The ideal candidate brings demonstrated experience managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, a strong commitment to social and racial justice, and a track record of designing and implementing engagement campaigns that reach diverse audiences. They excel at client service, collaborative work, and clear written and verbal communication.

Experience and strong interest in consulting, business/market development, environmental stewardship, infrastructure development, and coordination with the public sector is also desirable with additional preference for candidates who bring experience in strategic communications and engagement.

What You’ll Do:

Community Engagement

• Manage community engagement and multi-disciplinary campaigns for large-scale public infrastructure projects
• Develop and implement communications and engagement plans that meaningfully reach diverse audiences, including BIPOC communities, people with disabilities, people with low-incomes, and people who use languages other than English
• Lead equitable engagement initiatives that bring historically underserved communities into decision-making processes
• Plan and facilitate virtual and in-person meetings, briefings, and events
• Build and maintain relationships with community-based organizations
• Research, write, and edit content across channels — newsletters, press releases, social media, fact sheets, presentations, reports, and websites
• Translate technical information for public audiences

Project Management

• Lead multiple project teams: onboard members, delegate effectively, coach toward goals, and identify and address staffing gaps
• Develop and manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets
• Actively manage complex work plans with multiple workstreams and evolving timelines
• Troubleshoot issues and deliver work on time and on budget
• Collaborate across interdisciplinary teams, including language services, DEI, research, marketing, and creative
• Deliver work on time and on budget, meet project objectives, and troubleshoot any issues as they arise

Client Relations

• Serve as the primary client contact: lead meetings, respond proactively, and maintain clear communication
• Partner with project teams to define goals, deliver solutions, and identify opportunities to add value
• Maintain high quality control standards across all client and partner communications
• Maintain confidentiality of client information
• Support winning new work aligned with current projects and client portfolio, including networking, attending professional events, and supporting proposal and interview processes

Administrative

• Review invoices, prepare progress reports, and maintain accurate billing records
• Update project workload planning systems regularly
• Supervise and mentor staff
• Complete timesheets and expense reports accurately and on time
• Meet or exceed billable utilization goal
• Support business development through proposal writing and interviews

Utilization/Billability Goal

Most of your time will be billable to client projects (75–90%). The remainder covers internal company activities, business development, and professional development. The billable utilization goal for this role is 86%.

Experience & Education

• 7+ years in community engagement or strategic communications
• Experience working with historically marginalized communities and demonstrated understanding of structural and institutional oppression
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, evolving environment with flexibility for occasional work outside standard hours
• Familiarity with public policy, public affairs, and current events
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Skills & Competencies

• Experience with government or nonprofit clients
• Interest in infrastructure, water quality, resiliency, or environmental sustainability
• Knowledge of Adobe Suite
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to attend site visits, public meetings, and community events

Desirable, but not Essential Skills & Competencies

• Ability to interpret project information such as design plans, construction phasing diagrams, traffic detours, schedules, and design plans to translate them into clear public messaging

• Experience coordinating with agency staff, municipal agencies, transportation authorities, and permitting bodies

• Experience with consultant work including familiarity and understanding of utilization metrics and internal/external responsibilities

• Familiarity with state and federal public involvement requirements and common public sector communication standards
• Understanding of civil engineering principles, construction sequencing, and environmental considerations
• Multilingual skills (written and verbal)
• Facilitation experience

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met successfully in order to perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be expected to work extended hours; including, but not limited to, standing or sitting for extended periods. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee will regularly operate office equipment.

PRR, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.

PRR is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a diverse and inclusive environment. We endeavor to build a team that reflects the diversity and intersectionality of the communities we serve. People of color, multilingual, LGBTQIA, and veteran candidates as well as individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.