Civic Outreach Squad Coordinator in Cambridge

The Civic Outreach Squad (COS) is a community-centered initiative focused on direct, data-informed outreach to ensure that City policies, programs, and decisions are shaped by the voices of Cambridge residents. Through on-the-ground outreach—including door-to-door canvassing, event tabling, park conversations, and phone banking—the COS helps expand civic participation and equitable access to City services. The COS Coordinator leads the Civic Outreach Squad and serves as the day-to-day supervisor for four part-time Civic Outreach Workers. This role oversees weekly field operations, manages data collection and reporting, ensures culturally responsive engagement, and collaborates with City departments to support community-driven priorities. It is well-suited for someone who is passionate about public service, skilled in leading outreach fieldwork, and is committed to building trust with residents across diverse neighborhoods.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervision & Team Leadership: Lead and support four part-time Civic Outreach Workers through scheduling, coaching, and regular feedback. Facilitate weekly team check-ins and foster a collaborative, supportive environment. Participate in trainings and learning sessions.
• Field Outreach Operations: Craft weekly outreach plans aligned with City priorities and neighborhood needs. Conduct door-to-door canvassing, park engagement, and event tabling to share information about City programs and services. Represent the City in a welcoming, inclusive, and culturally responsive manner during all interactions. Perform phone banking to provide residents with timely updates about City initiatives. Identify challenges in the field and recommend creative solutions to improve outreach impact.
• Data Collection & Reporting: Use iPads and digital tools to collect real-time community input. Document outreach data and compile timely reports for internal review.
• Community Relationship Building: Build and maintain relationships with residents and community partners to encourage civic participation and strengthen trust.
• Cross-Department Collaboration: Support citywide initiatives related to climate resilience, transportation, housing, infrastructure, civic engagement, social cohesion, and neighborhood preparedness. Serve as a point of contact between COS and City staff, overseeing coordination of department outreach and ensuring prompt follow-up on resident feedback/requests.
• Resident Outreach Support: Serve as a helpful, knowledgeable point of contact for residents seeking information about City services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated leadership and experience supervising staff or volunteers.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• English language fluency required; multilingual abilities highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong time management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Comfort engaging with residents in varied settings and weather conditions, including door-to-door outreach.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Commitment to equitable and inclusive community outreach.

Minimum Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Interest in municipal government and public service.
• Experience supervising staff or volunteers.
• Commitment to working with communities that are historically underserved and underrepresented.
• Ability to effectively engage with individuals of diverse identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Willingness to learn and communicate information about City programs, services, and processes.

Work Schedule

The COS Coordinator is an in-person, part-time temporary position in the Communications and Community Engagement Office that reports directly to the Director of Community Engagement. The position will run from August 2026 to June 2027, with the possibility of renewal based on COS program needs and individual performance. The position requires availability across multiple weekdays and weekends for up to a maximum of 19.5 hours per week. Schedules are set week-to-week on a rolling basis and outreach areas rotate across Cambridge neighborhoods.

Work Environment

This role involves significant outdoor outreach activity in all weather conditions, as well as time in a standard office environment with fluorescent lighting and moderate noise. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands

This is a physically active role involving hours of prolonged walking, regular movement, and routine bending and stretching during outreach shifts in all weather conditions. Ability to travel around the city independently. Ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer and tablet. Call, text, answer telephones, and maintain multiple files. Occasional lifting of up to 30 pounds.