Community Engagement Specialist

Organization: TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

Primary Location: Texas-Austin

Work Locations: Christianson Lieberman Bldg, 1304 Colorado St, Austin

Job Category: Business and Financial Operations

Employee Status: Regular

Schedule: Full-time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

State Job Code: 1572

Salary Admin Plan: B

Grade: 19

Salary (Pay Basis): $4,250.00 (Monthly)

Number of Openings: 1

Overtime Status: Exempt

JOB OBJECTIVE: This role is crucial in supporting the Texas Main Street Program (TMSP) and its network of communities throughout Texas. The TMSP is a long-standing initiative aimed at revitalizing downtown areas, with a history of over 40 years in assisting diverse Texas communities.

Under the guidance of the TMSP state coordinator and assistant state coordinator, the community engagement specialist will gather essential data to foster a comprehensive understanding of local program staffing, resources, preservation efforts, and performance metrics. This information will be vital for the TMSP team and the national Main Street America accreditation process.

The specialist will cultivate relationships with local program participants, ensuring that stakeholders—including Main Street managers, board members, city staff, and partners—are actively engaged in developing a preservation-oriented foundation for Main Street America's revitalization strategy, known as the Main Street Approach™. To facilitate this, the specialist will collaborate with TMSP staff to organize and implement an annual educational curriculum, both virtual and in-person, while monitoring local programs' participation in continuing education opportunities.

Depending on their expertise, the specialist may also provide onboarding training for managers and related content. They may act as the primary outreach representative for the Texas Associate Network communities, which are being developed to complement the TMSP and lay the groundwork for future local revitalization initiatives.

The community engagement specialist will work alongside the state coordinator and assistant state coordinator to evaluate quarterly and annual reports in line with Main Street America accreditation standards. This evaluation will include on-site assessments involving tours of downtown districts and discussions with local stakeholders. The position requires collaboration with other program team members, including experts in organizational development, architecture, economic growth, and urban planning.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Act as a primary contact for local Main Street managers seeking TMSP services, managing requests, and directing individuals to the appropriate staff or partners.
• Deliver training and technical assistance to designated Main Street communities in Texas, focusing on historic preservation and the Main Street Approach™.
• Communicate and reinforce Main Street methodologies, historic preservation standards, organizational best practices, and THC procedures.
• In collaboration with the TMSP state coordinator, integrate relevant agency goals from the statewide historic preservation plan into planning and training initiatives.
• Coordinate training and outreach efforts to the Texas Associate Network as needed.
• Assist in organizing and managing various educational events throughout the year, including tours of newly designated Main Street communities, related ceremonies, and receptions; occasional virtual meetings to educate or update community stakeholders; and in-person annual professional development meetings for the TMSP community network.
• Contribute to the creation of educational materials, presentations, accreditation publications, planning reports for individual communities, and other program-related documents.
• Support the TMSP online resource library by providing content related to manager onboarding and network curriculum as directed by the state coordinator and assistant coordinator.
• Collaborate with the TMSP state coordinator and assistant coordinator to plan, organize, and assist with special projects as required, such as the annual network retreat and content for the THC's Real Places Conference.
• Stay informed about historic preservation and Main Street Approach priorities (organization, economic vitality, and promotion), as well as trends affecting Main Street communities and organizations.
• Identify activities that could enhance the effectiveness of the program at the local level and work with the state coordinator and associate coordinator on potential implementation.
• Respond to requests for consultative services and technical assistance from local Main Street programs; collaborate with TMSP colleagues to plan, implement, and monitor effective programs and services.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to historic preservation principles, promoting high standards of excellence in Main Street communities.
• Understand, demonstrate, and advocate for the features and benefits of the program's online tools to encourage their effective use by local programs.
• Provide guidance on program tools and techniques to colleagues as needed.
• Maintain a consistent work schedule with regular attendance.
• Adhere to all THC safety guidelines and ethical standards.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university. Candidates with ten years or more of professional experience with local Main Street or Coordinating Programs may be considered in lieu of the required degree.
• Professional or academic experience relevant to this job assignment.
• Proven ability to implement education and outreach initiatives for stakeholders regarding community development and downtown revitalization.
• Valid driver's license, acceptable driving record, and capability to operate a state vehicle.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% of the work period.

PREFER:

• Degree in a field pertinent to the work assigned, such as historic preservation, urban or community planning, economic development, communications, organizational management, or a related discipline.
• One year or more of experience on the staff or board of a local Main Street or Coordinating Program.
• Two years of professional experience in historic preservation, community planning, organizational management, small business, economic or community development work, marketing, or a related field.
• Experience with software platforms such as Asana, Typeform, and SurveyMonkey.
• Experience in training and delivering presentations to diverse audiences.
• Fluency in reading, writing, and conversing in both Spanish and English is a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Understanding of historic preservation, community development, and downtown revitalization.
• Strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service to both internal and external clients.
• Proficiency in operating a personal computer with word processing, database, and spreadsheet software.
• Capacity to work in a self-motivated and cooperative decision-making environment, effectively engaging with diverse groups.
• Ability to perform under pressure and meet strict deadlines while maintaining meticulous attention to detail.
• Capability to manage multiple tasks in a dynamic environment.
• Adaptability to change and ability to deliver quality results promptly.
• Skill in planning, organizing, and working independently, as well as within a team.
• Aptitude for training others.
• Sound judgment and discretion in decision-making.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality.

REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, OR LICENSURE: Must possess or obtain a valid Driver's License and complete a Defensive Driving Course to operate state vehicles.

ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL CONDITIONS: Typical office work environment with potential exposure to dust and allergens associated with standard business activities. Primarily sedentary but may involve walking, standing, and performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination. May require lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Extended periods at a computer may be necessary, along with occasional evening, weekend, and overnight work as needed. Involves operating a state vehicle and traveling long distances, including by airplane. Regular in-office presence is required, though the agency's telework policy may allow for up to three days per week of remote work, subject to job performance requirements.

MILITARY EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE: All CAPPS Recruit job postings prioritize service for veterans, surviving spouses, or orphans of veterans who were killed while on active duty, spouses of active-duty members of the US Armed Forces/Texas National Guard, or spouses of veterans with disabilities who are the primary income earners for their households.

To receive Military Employment preference, documentation such as DD 214, NA Form 13038, VA Summary Benefits Letter, or DD Form 1300, along with an applicable marriage license or birth certificate, must be provided prior to an interview.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Applications must be submitted through the designated state portal. Only candidates selected for interviews will be notified of their status. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

The Texas Historical Commission is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, disability, age, military status, genetic information, or protected activities in recruitment, selection, appointment, training, promotion, retention, or any other personnel actions.

THC will conduct a driving and criminal background check as part of the employment process. Unsatisfactory information relevant to the position may disqualify the applicant from employment.

Disability access for testing and interview accommodations can be provided upon reasonable notice by contacting Human Resources.

THC participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

VETERANS: For assistance in translating military work experience and training into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets, please refer to the relevant resources.

FOR NEW HIRES/REHIRES: Health insurance is available the first of the month following a 60-day waiting period.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER