Community Education Coordinator

We’re looking to hire a passionate Community Education Coordinator to make a real, lasting impact on our Kent community! Working alongside our Police Neighborhood Response Team , you’ll be the vital link between the police department and the public – designing engaging safety programs, inspiring local youth, and leading events like National Night Out. If you are an energetic communicator and a natural relationship builder who wants to champion public safety, this is your chance to shine.

We are looking for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in communications, education, public relations, marketing, or a related field, plus two years of experience as an instructor/educator involving program development and education (or equivalent combination). Step into a role where your creativity, leadership, and voice make a difference.

This is a full-time, benefited position represented by the AFSCME bargaining unit that is also covered by Civil Service.  The City will establish a ranked eligibility list for this classification that would be in effect for up to six months. 

**A cover letter and resume are required with your online application for your application to be considered complete. Please note that you cannot attach documents after you have submitted your online application.  If you experience problems attaching documents, please contact Human Resources at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you. **

This recruitment will utilize multiple steps to narrow down the applicant pool. Dates for these processes have not yet been set, but the passing requirements are as follows:

• Written Assessment: weight of 30% (70% passing score required). Top 20 candidates from the written assessment will move forward to the oral board process.

• Oral Board: weight of 70% (70% passing score required)

• Chief's Interview: Pass/Fail

• Background: Pass/Fail

• Polygraph: Pass/Fail

SALARY:

$7,680.00 - $9,377.00 per month, depending on experience

For a listing of benefits, please use the following link: Employee Benefits | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)

Additional information may also be found in the AFSCME contract, which you can access at Human Resources | City of Kent (kentwa.gov)

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Police Neighborhood Response Team (NRT) Sergeant, plan, develop, coordinate, and implement comprehensive Crime Prevention and safety education programs, special events, programs and activities for the City of Kent community.

Work is characterized by professional level duties in the development and coordination of a wide variety of complex Police educational programs, community networking, motivating youth, communications, public speaking, and administrative duties to develop, support, and sustain Police related education and safety programs.  Duties include, but are not limited to, youth board supervision; prevention conference management; teen academy implementation; implementing projects and programs to enhance the safety and well-being of the City’s citizens; community networking, educating, motivating and supporting community efforts, resource development, creating curriculum; developing and delivering presentations to public schools, citizen groups and individuals of all ages, providing  general information regarding public safety, preparing written materials, and performing related administrative duties promoting community safety, health and wellness issues. While actual duties of each Coordinator in this classification will vary from time to time, all Coordinators may be assigned to perform work in any or all areas.

Work is performed under limited supervision. Supervisor sets the overall objectives and resources available. Incumbent and supervisor work together to develop the deadlines, projects, and work to be completed. Incumbent is responsible for the work, plans and carries out the assignment, resolves most conflicts that arise, coordinates work with others, and interprets policies on own initiative in terms of established objectives. Incumbent keeps supervisor informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far-reaching implication. Work is reviewed in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness of results.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Plan, develop, organize, coordinate, implement, document, monitor and evaluate community education projects and events influencing citizen-based programs; provide assistance or lead special events or projects including, but not limited to, National Night Out, and The Game of Life Conference.

Educate and motivate citizens of all ages to become involved in public safety practices; provide information and assistance to families, schools, community agencies and others; represent the department at community fairs, meetings and other public events.

Collect and analyze crime data to determine community needs for crime prevention purposes; such as, Block Watch and Business Watch.  Also perform various public relations duties to assess interests and needs.

Ensure compliance with contracts; coordinate renewal process and maintain contract files. Solicit funds and other resources needed for program implementation; perform revenue-producing special projects benefiting unit activities; maintain accounting records in accordance with established procedures.  Prepare and administer program budget as appropriate.

Prepare and provide activity reports for grant reporting and programs for police department tracking.  Also, prepare reports and logs for projects as required by contracting agencies.

Stay knowledgeable and up to date on all laws and issues regarding the Kent Police Department, by attending training/conferences relevant to job focus.

Recruit and provide orientation, training and supervision for program volunteers and/or interns, such as Volunteers In Police Services

Develop and deliver oral and written presentations and materials to public neighborhoods, community organizations, school district, citizens groups, local and national organizations, City Council and individuals of all ages relating to safety education programs, crime prevention, youth activities, projects and events.

Publicize, promote and market various programs by planning, creating and distributing brochures, flyers, posters, news release, advertising, and other promotional materials as necessary.

Update and maintain the community education sections of the police department’s website.  Utilize social media to increase communication with citizens.  Also, assist in the production of televised safety messages.

Actively support the vision, mission, values, and goals of the department and the City.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Police department policies and procedures
• Municipal and law enforcement structure, policies, procedures, functions, operations, and practices
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances
• Procedures, practices and techniques used in development and maintenance of community education programs and classes.
• Principles and practices of public relations and marketing techniques.
• Principles and practices of governmental budgeting and accounting
• Interagency relations; local community activities and resources.
• Correct usage of English grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary as it pertains to the job.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
• Modern office practices, procedures and equipment including personal computers and related software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and social media platforms.
• Record-keeping techniques.
• Grant writing process, budgeting, reporting and resource development.

SKILLED IN:

• Mentoring all citizens to develop healthy life choices and motivating youth to implement peer behavior education
• Developing, implementing and administering behavior-changing safety, health and wellness strategies
• Interfacing and communicating positively and effectively with groups and individuals of diverse occupational and social-economic backgrounds
• Performing fiscal and program analysis and making appropriate recommendations
  Effective organization and expression of ideas through use of oral and written communications
• Effective use of interpersonal skills in a tactful, patient and courteous manner
• Grant writing process, budgeting, reporting and resource development.
• Ability to analyze data and report to a variety of audiences.

ABILITY TO:

• Effectively establish common vision and goals involving multiple community organizations and agencies
• Make appropriate decisions related to the structure and development of youth education programs, presentations and materials
• Building relationships with community members and youth.
• Speak publicly in a confident, effective, and articulate manner
• Motivate audiences
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Establish, maintain and  collaborate with policy-makers, co-workers, outside agencies, other City employees, and volunteers
• Work independently with little direction; manage time effectively
• Multi-task and adjust to changing priorities
• Prepare powerful presentation material such as speeches, visual aids, and program displays; articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format; correspondence including letters, memoranda, newsletters, brochures, public safety literature; and reports
• Adapt to a law enforcement work environment
• Learn municipal government policies, procedures, structure, applicable local, state and federal laws, codes, regulations and ordinances
• Establish and meet schedules and timelines
• Work flexible hours, including some evenings, weekends, and/or holidays
• Respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community over the telephone or in person
• Comprehend and follow a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, schedule or diagram form
• Maintain files, records, and reports
• Draw and interpret graphs and charts
• Use common sense understanding to solve practical problems and a variety of situations

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:    Bachelor’s degree in communications, education, public relations, marketing, or a related field; and

Experience:  Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience as an instructor/educator involving program development with experience in planning and delivering education programs, classes or presentations.

Or:               Any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual’s knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties listed above.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• A polygraph examination may be required prior to employment.
• Valid Washington State Driver's License.
• Valid First Aid/CPR Card, or the ability to obtain within 12 months of employment.
• Completion of position relevant background check.

MACHINES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Typical business office machinery and equipment include, but not limited to, personal computer, telephone, copy machine, projector, and digital camera.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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 essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use arms, hands and fingers to reach, handle, feel, or operate objects, materials, tools, equipment or controls. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, hear and talk normally with or without mechanical assistance. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with or without assistance and handle quantities of materials and displays.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed primarily at the Police Department, with regular travel to various locations to deliver presentations, participate in community events, and facilitate strategic community program planning and implementation. Work settings may include both indoor and outdoor environments. Incumbent must be able to work flexible work schedules including some evenings, weekend and/or holidays.  Employee may be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.