City of Framingham Advertising For Citizens’ Participation Officer

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FRAMINGHAM – The City of Framingham is advertising for a citizens’ participation officer.

The position was posted today, August 23.

The current Citizens’ Participation Officer Keziah Franca is leaving the Sisitsky administration to return to the Framingham Public Schools announced the Mayor last week to the City Council.

In January, Mayor Charlie Sisitsky nominated multilingual Franca to be the administration CPO. The City Council approved the nomination in February.

The City of Framingham’s first-ever Citizen participation Officer resigned in October 2021, just before Sisitsky was elected Mayor.

The City of Framingham posted the salary range as $66,848 to $73,805.

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“Under the direction of the Mayor, the Citizen Participation Officer works with City departments and boards and commissions to engage the public using communication and outreach strategies to enhance public engagement, to process citizen complaints and inquiries, and ensure compliance with public notice requirements. This position will also analyze data on citizen engagement, complaints and inquires, and shall regularly submit reports on such data,” notedthe job posting.

The Citizens’ Participation Officer “has frequent contact with citizens, business owners, city division heads, employees, retirees, elected officials, boards and committees. Contacts are in person, by telephone and in writing by email, fax or correspondence. Some duties are performed out in the community under varying conditions, with exposure to weather conditions.”

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The Citizens’ Participation officer:

• Responds to service requests coordinating with other City departments, preparing response letters and e-mails on behalf of the City and the City Council and personally communicating with residents on a regular basis.
• Provides support for individuals interested in being involved in local government.
• Devises and implements strategies to enhance public engagement.
• Serves as an immediate contact for residents calling the City for assistance and serves as a representative of the Mayor.
• Establishes and maintains close working relationships with all departments for managing residents’ concerns, questions or requests for information.
• Brings appropriate staff from a variety of departments together to resolve problems.
• Assists with citywide social media to engage residents on various community issues including responding to questions, concerns and requests for information through those sites.
• Conducts follow-up with relevant departments to help coordinate timely responses to citizen inquiries and requests.

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• Identifies needed assistance, equipment and technologies for the implementation of public participation and communication programs to support the implementation of public outreach program.
• Trains municipal staff on the development and implementation of public participation and communication programs.
• Designs surveys to ensure citizen feedback and to improve service delivery.
• Anticipates community issues through feedback mechanisms both internally and externally and able to develop communication strategies for implementation.
• Manages aspects of the service request system (including software).
• Develops proactive strategies with departments for resolution of residents’ concerns.
• Leads and organizes community meetings when required.
• Coordinates the citywide Citizen Survey, requiring strong knowledge in constructing questions and using other tools to gather feedback from the community.

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• Develops municipal public participation and communication programs and strategies.
• Researches and implements non-traditional methods of communication and outreach.
• Educates City departments and programs on best practices for outreach with various cultural groups.
• Develops, plans, and administers outreach programs and education utilizing community leaders, neighborhood groups and volunteers.
• Conducts community outreach to increase participation by underrepresented residents in City government.
• Attends community events hosted by the City, other City agencies, community organizations and ethnic minority groups to provide education on City services and information on City initiatives.
• Provides excellent internal and external customer service. Create a positive experience for clients through professional and courteous behavior and creative problem resolution.
• Coordinates special projects or outreach efforts as assigned.
• Assists with office administration, including answering telephones and greeting visitors.
• Interacts with others in a positive manner.

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Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in public affairs, communications, or public administration and 3 – 5 years of experience working in community relations, local government or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Applicants must possess a valid Class D Driver’s License.

Ideal candidates will be bi-lingual in English and Spanish/Portuguese.

Visit www.framinghamma.gov/jobs to apply.