Public Outreach and Community Engagement Specialist

About the Position

We’re looking for a dynamic Public Outreach/Community Engagement Specialist to lead public involvement efforts for large rail projects in Texas. In this role, you’ll be at the forefront of connecting people to progress—developing and executing outreach strategies that ensure transparency, inclusivity, and community support. You’ll organize public meetings, stakeholder briefings, and interactive workshops, ensuring residents, businesses, and local leaders stay informed and engaged. If you thrive on building relationships, managing multi-channel communication efforts, and crafting compelling narratives that inspire public trust, this is your chance to make a difference. Working closely with engineers, environmental planners, and government agencies, you’ll align engagement strategies with construction milestones, regulatory requirements, and community expectations—keeping the public informed every step of the way.

This role is perfect for someone who loves being in the field, listening to community voices, and developing creative solutions to address public concerns. You’ll have the opportunity to build relationships with diverse communities, shape messaging that resonates with different audiences, and implement cutting-edge outreach tools. Whether it's hosting town halls, managing digital engagement platforms, or responding to community questions in real-time, you’ll be a key advocate for public involvement in this transformative infrastructure project. If you have a passion for large-scale transportation initiatives, expertise in public engagement, and the ability to navigate complex political and regulatory landscapes, we want to hear from you. Join us and be part of a team that’s not just constructing a rail system but creating a new era of transit that connects people, places, and possibilities!

This is a long-term, full-time, onsite position located in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth or Houston metro areas.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive public outreach strategies to ensure community awareness and engagement throughout the rail construction process.
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate public meetings, open houses, and stakeholder briefings to provide project updates and gather community input.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the project team, local communities, businesses, and key stakeholders to address concerns and build strong relationships.
• Create and manage outreach materials, including fact sheets, presentations, newsletters, social media content, and website updates to keep the public informed.
• Coordinate with engineers, planners, and government agencies to align public engagement efforts with construction milestones and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and execute digital and in-person engagement campaigns to reach diverse audiences, including underserved and impacted communities.
• Monitor public sentiment, gather feedback through surveys and engagement tools, and provide insights to project leadership for informed decision-making.
• Manage crisis communication efforts by proactively addressing community concerns and responding to emerging issues in a timely and transparent manner.
• Organize and participate in community events, transportation forums, and advocacy meetings to represent the project and enhance public trust.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations related to public participation, environmental justice, and transportation equity.
• Track and report on outreach metrics, engagement outcomes, and key public concerns to refine strategies and improve communication effectiveness.
• Collaborate with media teams to coordinate press releases, interviews, and public relations efforts related to the project’s community impact.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively engage with diverse audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to build relationships and engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Empathy, cultural awareness, and emotional intelligence for connecting with communities and addressing their concerns.
• Adaptability, problem-solving, and strategic thinking for navigating challenges and refining engagement approaches.
• Public speaking, facilitation, and organizational skills for managing outreach efforts and leading community discussions with confidence.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, urban planning, political science, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.)
• 5+ years of experience in public outreach, community engagement, or stakeholder relations, preferably within large civil infrastructure (highways, roads, etc.), transit, or rail transit projects.
• Proven ability to develop and execute public involvement strategies, including organizing public meetings, workshops, and stakeholder briefings.
• Experience creating outreach materials such as newsletters, presentations, social media content, and press releases.
• Experience working with diverse communities, including historically underserved populations, and a deep understanding of equity and environmental justice principles.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple communication channels, including digital platforms, social media, and direct community engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to handle high-pressure situations, address public concerns diplomatically, and navigate sensitive political and regulatory landscapes.
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal regulations related to public engagement, transportation planning, and environmental review processes.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, planners, government agencies, and public affairs professionals.
• Willingness to travel within the project region and work occasional evenings and weekends as needed for community events and stakeholder meetings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Outlook, Work, Excel, etc.) and other industry standard software/tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in communications, public relations, urban planning, transportation planning, political science, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in public outreach, community engagement, or stakeholder relations on large-scale rail transit, transportation, or infrastructure projects.
• Strong background in crisis communication and issue management, with experience developing rapid-response strategies for public concerns.
• A demonstrated track record of successfully managing large-scale public engagement campaigns, including media coordination and social media strategy.

Compensation Details

The salary range listed for this role is $83k-$156k/yr ($40-$75/hr). The final salary offered is based on multiple factors and is thoughtfully aligned with each candidate’s level of experience, breadth of skills, total education achieved, certifications/licenses that have been obtained, etc.

Just LOOK at the Benefits We Offer!

• Unlimited Flexible Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare and Dependent/Elder Care)
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Policy
• 401(k) Plan with Guaranteed Employer Contribution
• Formal Career Planning and Development Program
• $2,500 Annually Towards Professional Development
• Wellness Program with Monthly Wellness Stipend
• Company Cell Phone or Cell Phone Plan Reimbursement
• Free Personalized Meal Planning & Nutrition Support with a Registered Dietitian
• Free Personal Financial Planning Services
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Specific plan details for each benefit offering above will be provided upon offer (e.g., percentages of coverage, premium costs, etc.) #IN-LNJS

Luster is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to criminal history, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. This employer participates in E-Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.

All positions may be subject to a background check and drug test once a conditional offer of employment is made for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities, in accordance with all applicable local, state, and/or federal regulations.

This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

Luster does not accept unsolicited resumes. In the absence of a signed agreement, Luster will not consider or agree to payment of any kind. Any unsolicited resumes presented to Luster personnel, including those submitted to Luster hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Luster.

Please email hiring@luster.com for accommodations necessary to complete the application process.