Mahalo for your interest in this role! Please see the full position description below and click Start Your Application when ready. For more information about DAWSON, please visit dawsonohana.com.

Salary Range: $65,000-$75,000

CERCLA Public Affairs Specialist

SUMMARY: DAWSON is seeking a mid-level CERCLA Public Affairs Specialist to manage multiple ongoing community involvement support tasks required as part of Superfund Community Engagement requirements under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Public participation with community members is a component of the Superfund process that occurs throughout. The goal of Superfund public participation is to engage in dialogue and collaboration with community members to strengthen early and meaningful community participation.

The ideal candidate will bring experience with public engagement, analytics, and possess a data-driven mindset. The ideal candidate will work as part of a team to assist various stakeholders with community involvement requirements as part of the Superfund process and administering environmental regulatory compliance and enforcement programs. Superior research and detailed, critical and thoughtful writing and analysis skills are essential to this position. The candidate will have excellent verbal communication skills.

The candidate is expected to spearhead the process, tracking, and management of multiple ongoing projects through the entire project lifecycle. The candidate is expected to provide training and oversight to junior staff. The position requires interfacing with internal DAWSON team members as well as external departmental stakeholders to ensure that compliance communication program content meet regulatory and best in class objectives. Externally, the candidate will work to establish potential external partnerships that will continue to forge the development of DAWSON’s Community Involvement Program.

Required Competencies:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work (Science, Business, Communications, Public Policy, etc.)

• At least five (5) years of related professional experience with Superfund Community Involvement requirements.

• Excellent writing and public speaking skills and demonstrated ability to translate complex concepts into accessible, audience-specific materials.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate through multiple mediums (e.g., email, phone, website, in person, etc.)

• High attention to detail.

• Proficient in Windows-based applications and internet research.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

Public Involvement / Policy and Planning Support

Provides general support/project management for a broad set of public involvement/policy and planning activities, including such tasks as organizing meeting logistics, data entry and analysis, recording meeting minutes, conducting secondary research, etc. Compiles/analyzes public involvement outcomes and summarize in reports, presentations, and other materials that may be shared internally and externally.

Plan and Implement Public Involvement Activities

Coordinates with managers, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders to identify public involvement needs and support implementation as needed. Designs, directs, monitors, and evaluates public involvement processes to gather public opinion information that will help inform our clients’ policy, regulations, and management activities. Applies public involvement methods with consideration for each situation, the issue being addressed, and the intersection with current regulations, policy, planning and social science activities. Identifies and addresses potential barriers to stakeholder participation, such as timing, travel needs, language and other accommodations. Establishes and maintains effective communication links between field personnel, the public and decision makers. Prepares or provides oversight for the preparation of community involvement tools as part of the Superfund process such as fact sheets, community involvement plans, and other informational material, and conducts community interviews.

Training

Trains and advises junior personnel on how to plan for and conduct aspects of the public involvement processes. Advises managers and staff about innovative tools and techniques to engage public and stakeholders in decision-making, policy, and planning. Provides a wide array of support services including the preparation of written outreach materials, the design and facilitation of public meetings, the development of web content, and interaction with key constituent groups. Applies community partnership best practices to engage underserved and underrepresented communities.

Facilitation

Facilitates communication between internal and/or external stakeholders to effectively gather information. Confer with stakeholders to clarify issues, identify underlying concerns, and develop an understanding of their respective needs and interests. Provides facilitation services to agency staff to assist with internal decision-making, planning or policy development. Communicates with constituents and stakeholders, representing DAWSON and our clients to the public, stakeholder groups, government agencies, and other entities.

Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certifications in facilitation, consensus building, conflict resolution, and stakeholder and public engagement

• A diversified work history with the federal government across multiple government agencies (including the EPA)

• Knowledge of Potential Responsible Party Investigations

• Experience in stakeholder and public engagement, including collecting, analyzing, and summarizing public comments

• Demonstrated knowledge of, and relevant ability with, culturally diverse communities in urban and rural settings

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Periodic business travel is required and is expected about 25% of the year: overnight travel is required. Travel is anticipated to consist of field work at project sites, client visits, and work at partner offices across the United States.

DAWSON is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/VEVRAA federal contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

DAWSON offers a best-in-class benefits program including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) program with employer match; paid vacation and sick leave; employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance; an Employee Assistance Program; and a flexible work environment. Additionally, employees can choose from several voluntary benefits including critical illness coverage; accident insurance; identity theft coverage; pet insurance, and more.

DAWSON gives preference to internal candidates. If no internal candidate meets our qualifications, external candidates will be given consideration.