Salary: $76,489.00 - $126,207.00 Annually
Location : MD 20850, MD
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202500160
Department: Communications and Community Engagement
Division: Community Engagement
Opening Date: 01/05/2026
Closing Date: 2/6/2026 7:00 PM Eastern
Job SummaryThe Community Engagement Specialist supports the Community Engagement Division within the Department of Communications and Community Engagement. Working under the direction of the Community Engagement Manager, the incumbent assists in implementing the City's community engagement strategic plan and coordinating engagement initiatives across the organization.
The Specialist helps connect residents with information, facilitates two-way communication between the City and the community, and supports efforts to identify disengaged populations, strengthen partnerships, and increase opportunities for meaningful public participation. The incumbent is responsible for developing, planning, and executing the City's "City Academy" program, which provides residents with an opportunity to learn about Rockville's government, services, and civic processes.
Additionally, the position is responsible for maintaining the City's volunteer website and supporting the scheduling and coordination of engagement events hosted by the Community Engagement Division, including events for the Mayor and Council and those conducted in collaboration with other City departments.
This position requires strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to engage respectfully with diverse neighborhoods and stakeholder groups.
Regular attendance at evening and weekend meetings is required.
Essential Job Functions - Assist the Community Engagement Manager with implementing the citywide community engagement strategic plan.
- Support the development of engagement plans for City projects, programs, initiatives, and events using the IAP2 framework.
- Maintain and update the City's volunteer website, including content, resources, and volunteer opportunities.
- Support community engagement databases, records, and tracking tools.
- Assist with monitoring community engagement activities and gathering data for reports and evaluation.
- Serve as a point of contact to help residents and neighborhood groups resolve issues, connecting them to the appropriate departments or resources.
- Develop, plan, and execute the "City Academy," a program designed to educate residents about City departments, services, operations, and opportunities for civic engagement.
- Manage scheduling and coordination of all engagement events hosted by the Community Engagement Division, including events led by or for the Mayor and Council.
- Coordinate engagement events conducted in collaboration with other City departments, ensuring alignment with engagement goals and City processes.
- Assist with intake and coordination of engagement requests from City departments.
- Help identify appropriate engagement strategies, outreach tools, and communication methods using IAP2 principles and City resources.
- Perform additional related duties as assigned by the Community Engagement Manager or department leadership.
Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in social sciences, public administration, public relations, political science, community planning, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Two (2) to four (4) years of experience in community engagement, outreach, public participation, volunteer coordination, or related work.
- Experience working with diverse groups, neighborhood organizations, or community-based nonprofits preferred.
- Familiarity with the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) framework is a plus.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - Knowledge of community engagement principles, public participation practices, and inclusive outreach methods.
- Ability to engage respectfully and effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds.
- Skill in event coordination, meeting logistics, scheduling, and project management.
- Program development and curriculum coordination skills (especially for City Academy or similar civic education programs).
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to collect, organize, and interpret community feedback and engagement data.
- Ability to mediate discussions, facilitate small groups, and support problem-solving processes.
- Ability to maintain strong working relationships with staff, elected officials, community leaders, and the public.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously and meet deadlines.
- Proficiency with digital outreach tools, basic web content management, and presentation platforms.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends, as required.
Working ConditionsThis position requires community-based work throughout Rockville, including attendance at evening and weekend events, meetings, and outreach activities. Work may involve lifting up to 25 pounds of materials or equipment and requires reliable local travel.
Summary of Employee BenefitsThe following is a brief summary of the major benefits provided to new full-time, regular employees. Part-time, regular employees working more than 20 hours per week may be entitled to these benefits on a pro-rated basis in accordance with Rockville City Laws and personnel policies and procedures. Benefits are not available to temporary employees. Details about benefits and costs for full-time and part-time employees are available by calling the Human Resources Department at 240-314-8470.
Group Insurance PlansHealth InsuranceParticipation is available in one of a number of types of health plans. The City contributes toward each plan. Participation is optional. Detailed information about each plan and the associated cost is available through the Human Resources Department.
Employees may participate in one of the following plans: Aetna HMO $30/$40, Aetna HMO $30/40 Deductible, Aetna HMO Health Reimbursement Account, Aetna Point of Service, Kaiser Permanente HMO, or Kaiser Permanente Point of Service. Start date of coverage is the date of hire or the first of the following month.
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Aetna Rockville Group: 118583-011
Member Services: (800) 445-5299 or (888) 792-3862 (Rx Services)
Web Site:
Kaiser PermanenteRockville Group: 4205-4 (HMO)
Member Services: (301) 468-6000 or (800) 777-7902
TTY: (301) 816-6344
Web Site:
Dental PlanEmployees may join the City's dental program and receive dental benefits in addition to any such benefits provided by the group health plans. The City contributes a portion of the cost of each employee's dental coverage. If dental coverage is waived, the City's contribution is reallocated toward the employee's health plan cost. Start date of coverage is the first of the month following date of hire.
Guardian DentalCustomer Service: (800) 541-7846
Web Site:
Vision InsuranceCity of Rockville is offers a vision plan with VSP. Members will have a $130 allowance (in-network) for lenses/frames or contacts. Go to www.vsp.com to locate a participating provider. VSP members get a 20% savings on additional glasses and sunglasses, including lens enhancements, from any VSP provider within 12 months of your last WellVision Exam. Ask your provider about Laser Vision Correction discounts as well.
Group Life InsuranceThe City provides life insurance equal to one and one-half times an employee's base salary. There is no cost to the employee for this benefit. Employees have the option of purchasing additional supplemental life insurance coverage for self, spouse and dependent child(ren). New employees joining within their first 30 days will not be required to provide evidence of insurability.
LeaveAnnual LeaveAnnual leave ranges from 16 to 23 days per year depending upon the length of service with the City. Leave may be used as it is accrued with the permission of the employee's supervisor. Annual leave is paid at termination after completing six (6) months of service. An employee normally accrues annual leave in the following manner:
Months of ServiceMonthly Vacation Accrual in Hours(37.5 hrs/wk)/(40 hrs/wk)
1-24 Months
10.00 / 10.40
25-60 Months
11.53 / 12.40
61-96 Months
13.08 / 14.00
97+ Months
14.23 / 15.20
HolidaysAdministrative and Police employees generally receive the following eleven (11) holidays per year.
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Presidents' Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans' Day
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Friday
Christmas Day
The City also observes all days of general and congressional elections throughout the State of Maryland. This holiday falls on even numbered years. Union employees and certain other employees may receive different holidays in accordance with the terms of a contractual agreement.
Sick LeaveSick leave is earned monthly at the rate of 1.25 days per completed month of service. There is no waiting period for using earned sick leave nor is there a limit to the amount of earned sick leave that may be used in connection with any legitimate illness.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Dependent Care FSAThe Dependent Care FSA allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 on a pre-tax basis for eligible dependent care expenses. Prior to the beginning of each calendar year, employees estimate the amount of these eligible expenses and agree to have this amount deducted from their annual salary on a bi-weekly basis. Employees avoid paying federal, state, and Social Security taxes on the total amount of their deferral. When expenses are incurred, employees submit a receipt and are reimbursed from their account. A detailed description of the plan is available in the Human Resources Department.
Medical FSAThe Medical Care FSA allows employees to set aside up to $3,200 on a pre-tax basis for eligible health care expenses. Prior to the beginning of each calendar year, employees estimate the amount of these expenses and agree to have that amount deducted from their annual salary on a bi-weekly basis. Employees avoid paying federal, state, and Social Security taxes on the total amount of their deferral. An employee may use a FSA debit card to pay for eligible expenses, or may submit receipts when expenses are incurred in order to be reimbursed from their account. A detailed description of the plan is available in the Human Resources Department.
Pre-tax Deductions for Health InsuranceThrough Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code, pre-tax payroll deductions may be made for the City's health and dental insurance premiums. Pre-tax deductions allow employees to avoid paying Federal, State, and F.I.C.A. taxes on the amounts of these payroll deducted premiums.
Wex BenefitsCustomer Service: (866) 451-3399
Web Site:
Retirement Programs Retirement PlanThe City's retirement plans consist of a Defined Benefit and a Defined Contribution portion. Administrative and Union employees may contribute between one (1) and five (5) percent of their base salary, on a pre-tax basis, to the defined contribution portion. The deferral election is made at the time of employment and may not be changed. Therefore, employees are advised to give considerable thought to their decision of what percent to contribute. The City will make a matching contribution of 50 cents for each dollar contributed. A minimum of one (1) percent participation is mandatory.
Employees have different investment fund options in which to direct contributions. The investment direction may be changed biweekly. Vesting in the Defined Contribution portion occurs at the beginning of the 3rd year. Normal retirement is age 60 or 65 depending on date of hire.
The Defined Benefit portion of the retirement plan is based on a percentage of average annual salary multiplied by length of credited service. Administrative employees are required to make a mandatory one (1) percent contribution to the Defined Benefit portion of the plan. Vesting occurs after ten (10) years.
Police Officers contribute 8.5 percent of their earnings on a pre-tax basis to a defined benefit pension plan. Normal retirement for police officers is permitted at the earlier of age 60 or after 25 years of service, regardless of age. Benefits at retirement are based on a percentage of final average earnings multiplied by length of credited service.
Retirement Plan Administrator: Lincoln FinancialRetirement Plan
Member Services: (800) 234-3500
Website:
Deferred Compensation (457) PlanThe deferred compensation plan is designed specifically for City employees, and makes it possible to defer income and the payment of income taxes on the deferred investment. The plan is not meant for short-term savings or investment purposes as monies deferred are generally not available until termination or retirement.
Employees may defer the lesser of 25 percent of base salary or a minimum of $10.00 per pay up to the current IRS limit on a pre-tax basis.
Roth 457The Roth 457 is a supplemental retirement plan which is funded through employee contributions only. Employees are eligible to enroll from the date of hire. Contributions are taxed but earnings grow tax free.
Lincoln Financial
Member Services: (877) 234-3500
Social SecurityRegular employees receive employer contributions to Social Security (also known as FICA). Social Security benefits are available in accordance with Federal law.
For more information about benefits, contact the Human Resources Department at 240-314-8470.
Credit UnionEmployees may participate in the Sky Point Federal Credit Union, conveniently located at Courthouse Square in Rockville. This credit union also participates in Family Service Center with shared branches available throughout the metropolitan area. Services include savings and checking accounts, loans, payroll deduction, and direct deposit.
Sky Point Federal Credit UnionMember Services: (301) 279-1964
Legal ResourcesThrough Legal Resources, participating employees and their eligible family members can get free advice, consultation, and courtroom representation for common legal services.
Member Services: 1-800-728-5768
Web Site:
Employee Assistance ProgramThe City provides free, confidential counseling, assessment, and referral services to help employees deal with personal problems. Trained, certified employee assistance counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is also available for family members who are eligible health insurance plan dependents.
BHS EAP24 hour Assistance Line (800) 327-2251
Web Site:
Long-term Disability ProgramsThe City's Income Protection Plan provides long-term disability benefits for both on and off the job injuries or illnesses. Coverage for off the job injuries or illnesses is provided after one year of employment with the City. Details are available from the Human Resources Department.
College Savings PlansCollege America is a 529 college savings plan that can help you build a nest egg for college. These plans, named after a section of the tax code, were created by Congress to offer significant tax advantages to those who invest for higher education. Details are available from the Human Resources Department.
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Do you have experience working in community engagement, communications, or public service for a municipal or federal government agency?
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Do you have experience supporting community engagement, outreach, or public-facing programs?
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Have you helped plan, coordinate, or support a program, class, meeting, or public event?
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Are you comfortable engaging respectfully with diverse communities and able to attend evening and weekend meetings as required for this position?
Required Question
