Community Engagement Manager

The City of Bend is accepting applications for one (1) regular, full-time Community Engagement Manager in the Communications & Engagement Department. This is a salaried, exempt (overtime in‑eligible) non‑represented position. The City may use this job posting to create an eligibility list for future hiring purposes. Please review the entire job posting, including the application requirements at the end.

The Community Engagement Manager, which is a new position, will help the City build and sustain strong relationships with the community by ensuring community members have meaningful opportunities to have their voices heard and shape City decisions. This role works across City departments to integrate inclusive, equitable community engagement into planning, programs, and public projects, especially for communities that are disproportionately impacted or who have been historically underrepresented.

This position supports and trains City staff on best practices for community engagement, helps design and facilitate public meetings and events, and works closely with community partners to listen, learn, and build trust. The Community Engagement Manager also supervises engagement staff, tracks outcomes, and uses community insights to continuously improve how the City listens, communicates, and responds to the public.

The following duties are a sample of major duties performed in this role and not intended to be an exhaustive list.

• Manage and update existing community engagement framework that establishes expectations for how the City engages with the community, making sure engagement is inclusive and equitable.
• Collaborate with the City’s equity team to train and advise City staff in equitable engagement best practices.
• Advance shared understanding and practice around meaningful community participation.
• Work with departments to plan equitable engagement efforts, including setting strategies, goals, and scope.
• Train City staff on inclusive communication, facilitation, and community engagement best practices.
• Help shape clear, culturally relevant messaging for City communications, websites, and outreach materials.
• Plan and lead public meetings, workshops, and events that encourage participation and build trust.
• Evaluate track engagement results, identify barriers to participation, and use data to improve future efforts.
• Supervise staff that maintain relationships with community groups and manage a database of community contacts.

The ideal candidate is a people‑centered communicator who knows how to build trust and bring diverse voices into public decision‑making. They’re comfortable leading conversations, facilitating meetings, and helping others communicate clearly and inclusively.

Someone who is organized, collaborative, and motivated by public service will be well‑suited for this role, able to juggle multiple projects, coach staff, and represent the City with professionalism. Most of all, they care about equity, community connection, and making government more accessible and responsive.

Highly‑qualified candidates will have strong working knowledge from their professional and lived experience in: best practices for public participation; familiarity with, or strategy for building awareness of, City of Bend communities; and demonstrated success bridging policy and planning efforts with community engagement.

• Education:
  
  Associate’s degree in public administration, communications, ethnic studies, cultural/social anthropology, or related field; AND
• Experience:
  • At least 2 years’ experience in a community engagement position; AND
  • At least 1 year of supervisory experience; OR
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.

• Current and valid Driver’s license per City policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, communications, ethnic studies, cultural/social anthropology, or related field;
• Bilingual language skills in Spanish and English, including reading, writing, and speaking (includes a pay…