Community Engagement Specialist - Nepali

Company: City of Somerville
Location: Somerville
Posted on: June 22, 2022

Job Description:

Job DescriptionDuties: The Community Engagement Youth Specialist for Nepali coordinates community outreach, programming, City services, events, and outside service referrals primarily for Nepali-speaking youth residing in Somerville. The Nepali CES also serves as a community liaison, 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 Nepali-speaking youth.Essential FunctionsThe essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Community Outreach – Make connections in the community and serve as a resource to Nepali youth 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 youth to participate in civic dialog and public discussions. Promote the advancement of the Somerville Nepali Speaking youth.
• 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. Maintain and adhere to all privacy standards.
• Community Liaison – Through outreach via various methods and innovative programs, work to 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 and the Mayor's Office, to aid in developing and adapting City services to meet the needs of the community. Maintain thorough and detailed familiarity with citywide FAQs, services, and policies and provide youth answers to a broad range of City-related questions during outreach efforts. Serve as community spokesperson in both Nepali and English as featured speaker or emcee at public events, conferences, workshops, press events, etc.
• Translation / Interpretation– Work with City departments to translate forms, brochures, and other information in a way that conveys the material's message and is accessible to residents. Also help to translate relevant information for Nepali section of the City website. Translate key City press releases. Assist with coordination of additional translation services for City departments by outside vendors. Interpret at public meetings from English into Nepali.
• Immigration Services and Efforts – Provide immigration needs assistance and referrals, and related translation services. Coordinate and facilitate educational workshops, information sessions, appointment support, legal clinics, citizenship clinics and services, etc. Maintain strong working relationship with area and regional immigration service providers and strong knowledge of national providers. Maintain strong understanding of various immigration requirements and application procedures.
• Meeting Facilitation – Work with City Councilors, city staff, the Mayor's Office, and residents to coordinate community meetings in Nepali for community, civic, and other groups in the community. Some meetings will be similar to Somerville's bi-annual ResiStat meetings, but will be tailored to suit the needs of the audience.
• Communication – Prepare oral and written communications for the community in Nepali including emergency and community alerts, website content, fliers, press releases, social media posts, brochures, newsletter, emails, and radio and City Cable TV content. Develop press contacts at news sources (radio, print, local cable, etc.) and write/translate and distribute press releases or make radio/TV appearances to share City information and serve as a representative of the Mayor. Keep abreast of advances in technology and trends in use of both traditional and digital media in order to communicate via the most effective channels. Find innovative communications solutions whether high- or low-tech to make sure information on City services, programs and news reaches Nepali-speaking Somerville youth.
• Event Coordination – Coordinate informational, community and cultural events for the full community such as a cultural festivals, arts events, provider seminars/trainings, event tabling activities, forums, workshops, immigration clinics, heath fairs, flu shot clinics, presentations, etc. Requirements: Must be 16 years or older with one (1) or more years of directly relevant experience.Knowledge, Abilities and Skill:Knowledge: Must have strong knowledge specifically of Somerville immigrant communities and local/regional immigrant services providers. Must have knowledge of local/regional/federal social service providers and be able to navigate a range of social/support services ranging from homelessness prevention, housing, tenant rights, healthcare access, educational access, mental health, nutrition, childcare, etc. Must be familiar with HIPAA and other privacy requirements. Must have first-hand knowledge of the immigrant experience by having personally immigrated to the U.S., or have parents who personally immigrated to the U.S., and have demonstrated cultural competency for immigrant populations in Somerville and for Nepali culture.Abilities: Must have proven ability to build alliances and facilitate collaboration with a wide range of community, nonprofit, City, public school, higher-ed, faith-based, and government partners. Must have proven ability to develop and conduct community surveys; facilitate public, internal, and coalition meetings; and organize and facilitate workshops, presentations, cultural events, and other community events. Must have proven ability to create and facilitate opportunities for immigrants to participate in civic dialog and public discussions. Proven ability to work in a team or independently as needed. Able to prepare oral and written communications for the community in Nepali including emergency and community alerts, website content, fliers, press releases, social media posts, brochures, etc.Skills: Must have mastery of office software including spreadsheets and social media. Must be a fluent native speaker and writer of Nepali with full command of written usage and style. Acceptable English skills (or better) for written communications required (must be able to communicate effectively in English in writing, but a moderate level of errors is acceptable). Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with state and federal agencies, community leaders, business owners, supervisors, employees, representatives of the media, and the general public. Must be able to translate a wide range of City documents and information (excluding legal and highly technical documents) literally as well as to adapt content for cultural appropriateness into Nepali.City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request.Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.Benefits Somerville Offers
  • Paid Time Off (4 weeks of vacation to start for non-union classified positions)
  • Health Insurance
  • Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
  • Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Wellness & Cancer Screening Release
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  • Deferred Compensation
  • Retirement
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • MBTA Pass Program
  • FREE BlueBikes Membership
  • Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville. This is not a binding contract, please reach out to benefits@somervillema.gov with any questions relating to benefits for specific union and non-union positions.COVID-19 Vaccination RequiredTo better protect the health and safety of staff and the public, all City of Somerville employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of November 1, 2021. Exemptions and/or reasonable accommodations are not guaranteed and will be reviewed by the City of Somerville Human Resources Department on a case-by-case basis. Learn more at somervillema.gov/HR/COVID19.Powered by JazzHRT0lJzCttmB

Keywords: City of Somerville, Somerville , Community Engagement Specialist - Nepali, Other , Somerville, Massachusetts