Public History & Engagement Specialist; Part-Time

Application:
Public History & Engagement Specialist

Our Streets seeks a curious and community-focused part-time Public History & Engagement Specialist to help integrate history of Minnesota communities and how they have been impacted by transportation policy into Our Streets’ advocacy and policy work. The Specialist will also build community relationships and collaboration through history work, coordinating programming and events that share historical information and educational resources with advocates, community members, and decision-makers.

This role plays a critical part in advancing our mission to build people‑first transportation systems and strengthen community power through organizing, advocacy, storytelling, and systems change.

Our Streets works to lead the nation in putting people first by transforming transportation and infrastructure in the Twin Cities, the metro region, and the state of Minnesota. We envision streets and neighborhoods that are vibrant places to live, work, and play—designed for people, not cars—and rooted in public health, climate resilience, and racial and economic justice. Our work creates bold, people-centered futures that repair past and present harms caused by unjust transportation decisions.

We elevate community voices—especially those most harmed or historically excluded—through grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, and transparent, community-led action. Together, we build shared power and pursue concrete, systemic change.

This position is a part‑time, non‑exempt position with an expectation of 20 hours a week. The Public History & Engagement Specialist will lead Our Streets’ research into the history of communities impacted by transportation decisions, organize and assist with events and community engagement to share historical information and collect oral histories, and coordinate the Twin Cities Transportation Academy and Street Smarts Book Club.

This position reports to the Community Development & Events Senior Manager.

This role is ideal for a curious and self‑motivated public historian who is passionate about building meaningful connections with community members through storytelling and education, who enjoys uncovering and amplifying the histories of local communities and public institutions, and who is fascinated by integrating the impact and implications that past events and decisions have on present realities and projects.

This role will require some evening and weekend availability for events and community programs.

• $28.85/hour with the expectation to work 20 hours per week
• Our Streets offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support well‑being, sustainability, and work‑life balance. Including:
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Flexible Location (Hybrid)
  • Paid Time Off
  • Cell Phone Reimbursement
  • Bike/Walk/Transit Stipend
  • Health, Dental and Vision Stipend
  • Sick and Safe Time

Note:

Core responsibilities of this position may vary depending on funding availability for specific projects and campaign needs. Below is a comprehensive overview of responsibilities that may be required during the course of employment.

Research integration, content creation, & events (65%)

• Integrate research on the history of communities and how they have been impacted by transportation policy and infrastructure
• Apply appropriate research techniques to thoroughly document local, regional, and national transportation policies and the context in which they were developed.
• Organize and conduct research in local, state, and federal archives and other types of repositories.
• Develop partnerships with local and regional historical societies, librarians, academic institutions, and other aligned organizations to broaden the field of research and strengthen relationships in impacted communities.
• Collect and record oral histories from impacted community members
• Work with the advocacy team to develop and execute oral history outreach strategies.
• Analyze, assess, and compile research and archival documents.
• Prepare compelling materials, reports, and presentations that put impacted people, communities, neighborhoods and their histories at the center of the…