Project Specialist

Reporting to the Racial and Social Justice Coordinator, the Project Specialist is responsible to work alongside staff members to oversee assigned projects. The Project Specialist will work on multiple project teams simultaneously and may serve as Project Manager for a small/large project or a portion of a small/larger project.

Essential Functions

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Supports RSJ Director and Deputy Director on all aspects of assigned projects.
• Acts as the project manager for specific projects/initiatives as assigned.
• Focuses on project management details and follow up actions that maximize project outcomes.
• Assists in implementing relevant contracts and data use/collection, researching and reviewing relevant documents.
• Creates and maintains project calendar and assists with scheduling all project related meetings and communications.
• Interfaces regularly with community and stakeholders to ensure coordination, engagement and communication of project objectives, strategies, schedules, and tasks.
• Participates in development of agendas for external workgroups and internal project teams for project specific meetings; in collaboration with staff prepares meeting materials and records minutes and team progress.
• Creates and maintains project documentation including all pertinent design documents, process flows, reports, project descriptions, project plans and timelines. Determines tasks and due dates, tracks project performance and milestones in collaboration with the Deputy Director.
• Participates in data analysis and works with others to identify gaps.
• Creates comprehensive project documentation through developing tracking sheets, diagrams, visual dashboards, reports or process maps.
• Represents the City of Somerville at City Council and community meetings.
• Performs outreach in the community to raise awareness, engage, promote dialogue, and strengthen alliances with external constituencies related to assigned projects.
• Serves as a liaison for the Department of Racial and Social Justice regarding questions, concerns, and complaints related to assigned projects.
• Prepares and is accountable for regular project status updates to the RSJ Director, and Stakeholders.
• Develops written and web based materials to disseminate information relevant to assigned projects.
• Conducts research and benchmarking activities for current and proposed projects.
• Creates and maintains personal work plans to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in human services, communication, administration, business, project management, or a related field and 1+ years’ related municipal experience and 3+ years’ of related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Applications demonstrating lived experience with proper knowledge of project management and community engagement in lieu of education are strongly encouraged.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skill

Knowledge: Demonstrates knowledge and skills in using technical tools including all Microsoft Office Products and a variety of other applications including project management software or other software’s that can help manage projects, and standard networking tools.

Abilities: Ability to organize and direct the preparation of comprehensive reports, analyze problems, prepare technical reports and formulate recommendations; ability to communicate effectively in a concise and convincing manner. Ability to independently establish a peer community and network between project specialists in other municipalities/organizations. Ability to quickly familiarize oneself with all applicable City policies and ordinance regulations. Ability to identify needs and evaluate effective emergency management practices. Self-starter able to balance multiple priorities effectively. Work independently with minimal oversight. Ability to communicate, motivate, and persuade the project team, and gain support from management to achieve the desired project goals. Ability to solve problems creatively and resourcefully. Must be organized and have a proven ability to track and complete deadline-driven projects. Respond independently in most cases but also knows how to find answers from other staff when necessary and return communication in a timely fashion.

Skill: Skill in community involvement in an urban environment; excellent customer service, planning and evaluation skills; skills and training in negotiation and mediation; organizational and analytical skills. Ability to work cooperatively with Somerville community members, in a multi-faceted culturally responsive, creative way; conduct multilingual outreach, including and especially under-connected community members, in collaboration with the City, RSJ staff and partners. Bilingual ability in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian-Creole and/or Nepali is preferred but not required.

Work Environment

The work environment involves everyday discomforts typical of offices, with occasional exposure to outside elements. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. Occasionally, there may be need to stretch and reach to retrieve materials. Employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions.

Physical Skills: Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks. May occasionally lift and transport up to thirty (30) pounds. 

Motor Skills: Frequently operates a computer, telephone, and other standard office equipment.

Visual Skills: Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes, including a computer screen, and typewritten pages.

This position will remain open until filled. Send your resume and cover letter to:

City Hall Personnel Office
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville MA 02143
Fax: 617-666-4426
TTY: 1-866-808-4851
Email: employment_opportunities@somervillema.gov

City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.

The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Nancy Bacci at 617-625-6600 x 2250 or nbacci@somervillema.gov.