Community Engagement Specialist - Spanish

Statement of Duties

The Community Engagement Specialist for Spanish coordinates community outreach, programming, City services, events, and outside service referrals primarily for Spanish-speaking immigrants and refugees residing in Somerville. The Spanish CES also serves as a community liaison and official representative of the City of Somerville, conducts translation and interpretation, and coordinates public meetings, immigration-related services, and all forms of communication including emergency messaging needed to serve the City’s Spanish-speaking residents.

• Community Outreach – Make connections in the community and serve as a resource to residents to share information about City services and opportunities for citizen engagement and assist those who need help accessing City services and materials. Attend and table at events, speak to community groups, conduct surveys, hold meetings and events, conduct communications and media relations, etc. Build connections to community organizations and providers and facilitate collaborative efforts and coalitions.
  
  Create and facilitate opportunities for immigrants to participate in civic dialogue and public discussions. Promote the advancement of the Somerville Spanish-speaking population.
• Service Delivery and Referrals – Support and facilitate access to city services, programs, resources, volunteer opportunities, and other municipal programming including providing interpretation, and counseling on available services. Provide referrals to nonprofit and government social, health, long‑term housing, homelessness prevention/emergency housing, legal, nutrition, educational, and other services. Provide notary services. Be on call as needed to assist with emergency situation services/interpretation such as assistance for fire victims.
  
  Maintain adherence to all privacy standards.
• Community Liaison – Maintain an ongoing dialogue between the community and City staff as well as the Mayor’s Office. Gather input, feedback, concerns and requests from the community and community stakeholders to share with appropriate staff. Serving as a community spokesperson in both Spanish and English at public events, conferences, workshops, press events, etc.
• Translation / Interpretation – Translate forms, brochures, and other information in Spanish, assist with coordination of additional translation services for City departments by outside vendors, interpret at public meetings from English into Spanish, and be available 24/7 to translate emergency messaging quickly and accurately.
• Immigration Services and Efforts – Provide immigration assistance and referrals, coordinate educational workshops, information sessions, appointment support, legal clinics, citizenship clinics, and related services. Maintain thorough knowledge of current immigration regulations and related services.
• Meeting Facilitation – Coordinate community meetings in Spanish for residents and civic groups. Facilitate meetings for 25–100+ participants, present information, answer questions, and coordinate participation from key city staff and elected officials.
• Communication – Prepare oral and written communications for the community including emergency alerts, website content, fliers, press releases, social media posts, brochures, newsletters, emails, and potentially radio and City Cable TV content. Develop press contacts at news sources and write, translate, and distribute press releases or media appearances as a representative of the Mayor. Keep abreast of advances in technology and use of both traditional and digital media.
• Event Coordination – Coordinate informational, community, and cultural events such as festivals, arts events, provider seminars/trainings, forums, workshops, immigration clinics, health fairs, flu‑shot clinics, presentations, etc.

In addition to the core tasks above, the Spanish CES will suggest new program initiatives and ways to increase community engagement and best serve immigrant residents.

• Knowledge – Must have strong knowledge of Somerville immigrant communities and local/regional service providers. Familiar with HIPAA and…