Job Description:

General Statement: The Fleet Science Center’s Community Engagement Specialists support the Fleet’s Mission and Visitor Experience Philosophy by furthering the Fleet’s ongoing presence in four priority neighborhoods/regions: San Ysidro, National City, Barrio Logan/Logan Heights, and the Greater Neighborhoods of Southeastern San Diego.  

We are hiring two neighborhood specialists with the intention that each will be responsible for two of the four neighborhoods. These two roles will be directly involved in day-to-day implementation including building, sustaining, and deepening relationships with external organizations, such as community-based organizations, schools, after-school networks, libraries and local businesses in the community. Additionally, these two roles will support the continuation of program efforts and build greater organizational capacity, beginning with Art for Planetary Health Initiative in 2023,  and building upon community engagement efforts over the last ten years. Additionally, the Community Engagement Specialist roles will sustain community engagement efforts with focused attention on their two neighborhoods and advance the Arts Ecosystem Initiative focused on co-created STEAM programs grounded in place-based community needs and aspirations.  

This is a temporary 12-month grant funded position beginning on the date of hire.

The role is in the field 30%-40% of the time which includes meeting with partners and attending/ hosting community events. There may be events that occur outside of normal business hours, either in the evenings or during a weekend. Hours will be flexible to ensure a work/life balance. 

 Reports to: Community Engagement Manager 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities, including mental requirements of position: 

Community Engagement  

• Build, sustain, and deepen relationships with external organizations using a range of approaches including email, phone, virtual and in-person meetings, community events, and large group meetings 

• Serve as a point of connection in two focus neighborhoods for the Fleet’s community partners—schools, libraries, after-school networks, community-based organizations and local businesses. 

• Collaborate with community partners to implement STEAM programs that meet community needs and aspirations  

• Identify and engage new STEAM-focused partners in two focus communities.




• Sustain and increase the Fleet’s presence in the community and represent Fleet in local community events, and other outreach activities. 




• Raise awareness of the Fleet and its mission, and raise the profile of programs and initiatives, in support of place-based community networks and the broader San Diego STEM Ecosystem. 

• Support the Fleet’s ongoing community engagement strategy including building bridges between the Fleet’s internal community and external efforts. 

Planning and Implementation  

• Contribute to the planning, logistics, promotion, and day- of staffing for events, and initiatives. 

• Responsible for implementing, tracking progress and making recommendations to strengthen pilot programs.  

• Communicate insights to refine programs, enhance learning experiences and community impact. 

• Order materials, coordinate logistics, and set up program/workshop space. 




• Practice awareness of successful community listening and informal science engagement practices and apply them to local community aspirations.  

Administrative/ Grant Tracking  

• Serve as a point of contact for neighborhood creatives, participants, educators, and partners within focused neighborhoods, providing timely and accurate information. 

• Record meeting minutes, attendance, progress towards goals, partner engagement, and other evaluation metrics for community programs. 

• Maintain timekeeping accuracy and meet deadlines as established by department, the Fleet, and attend employee training programs and meetings as directed. 

• Maintain an electronic filing system, update spreadsheets, assist in data collection and other administrative tasks such as answering phones, emails, and voicemails. 

Tools and equipment used to perform this position: computer, telephone, copy machine, car. 

Supervision, direction, or guidance provided for this position: Performs duties with supervision of Manager but can function in community settings independently.  

Physical Requirements of this Position: 

Light Work:  Position involves sitting, standing, and/or walking.  Position requires ability to frequently exert up to 10 pounds of force to move objects and occasionally exert up to 20 pounds of force to move objects. 

Experience, education, or skills required of the incumbent in this position: 

• 2+ years’ experience in community organizing, community advocacy, or related experience, required. 

• Prior experience working and building trust with community-based organizations, community partners, or diverse stakeholder groups, required. 

• Strong personal affinity or curiosity for science, inclusive of STEM or STEAM, required. 

• Knowledge, familiarity, or lived experience with one or more of the following neighborhoods: San Ysidro, Logan Heights/Barrio Logan, National City, and/or Southeastern San Diego, strongly preferred.  

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, required., Experience communicating with diverse audiences including the public and community partners, required.  

• Bilingual/bicultural fluency in (English/Spanish or English/Tagalog) desired but not required. 

• Strong administrative and organizational skills ensuring smooth workflow; ability to multitask, and track progress towards grant deliverables, preferred. 

• Experience in full cycle planning/coordinating logistics for meetings, program activities, and/or community events, required.  

• Possess and maintain a current valid California driver’s license and clean driving record to drive a Fleet vehicle, required. 

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