Civic Outreach Worker

Posting Date:
6/4/26
Department:
City Manager's Office - PIO
Job Code:
X122
Salary Plan/Grade:
TEM-062
Number of Hours Per Week:
16.5
Additional Work Hours Information:
Standard Outreach ShiftsFriday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PMOccasional Wednesday/Thursday afternoons: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Union Affiliation:
None
# of openings:
4
Type of Employment:
Temporary
Civil Service Type:
None
ABOUT THE ROLE:
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.
Civic Outreach Workers are trusted messengers who connect directly with Cambridge residents, particularly those historically underrepresented in civic processes. They serve as the frontline representatives of the City, sharing information, gathering community feedback, and helping ensure that resident experiences inform City programs and services. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys community-facing work, thrives in dynamic outdoor settings, and is committed to building trust with residents across diverse neighborhoods.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Direct Field Outreach

• 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.

Data Collection & Feedback Gathering

• Use tablets to collect real-time community input and feedback.
• Accurately document conversations, concerns, and emerging themes for review by the COS Coordinator and department staff.

Community Relationship Building

• Build and maintain positive relationships with residents to strengthen trust and encourage civic participation.
• Serve as a helpful, knowledgeable point of contact for residents seeking information about City services.

Program Support & Collaboration

• Support citywide initiatives related to climate resilience, transportation, housing, infrastructure, civic engagement, social cohesion, and neighborhood preparedness.
• Participate in team check-ins, trainings, and learning sessions.
• Collaborate with fellow Outreach Workers and take direction from the COS Coordinator to ensure smooth field operations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• English language fluency required; multilingual abilities highly desirable.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team in dynamic field environments.
• Strong time management, reliability, and follow-through.
• Comfort engaging with residents in varied settings and weather conditions, including door-to-door outreach.
• Commitment to equitable and inclusive community outreach.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Interest in municipal government and public service.
• 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in community outreach, customer service, grassroots organizing, or similar community-facing roles.
• Familiarity with Cambridge neighborhoods and local issues.
• Experience working with Cambridge communities, especially those historically marginalized.
• Fluency in one or more languages commonly spoken in Cambridge - Amharic, Arabic, Bangla, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese.

WORK SCHEDULE:
Civic Outreach Workers are part-time, temporary staff members who report directly to the Civic Outreach Squad Coordinator. The position will run from August 2026 - June 2027, with the possibility of renewal based on COS program needs and individual performance. This position requires availability across multiple weekdays and weekends for up to a maximum of 16.5 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.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Please upload the below documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

ABOUT THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE
The City of Cambridge is a diverse and vibrant community that 120,000 residents of different ethnic, racial, religious, U.S. nationals and other backgrounds call home. We take pride in our City's diversity and strive to create a workplace that is reflective of the community we serve -- one in which all employees can thrive. The City is also deeply committed to creating an environment in which all our employees are treated equitably and feel included. In joining our team, you would work in a workplace environment that advances and values antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI), and that is committed to embedding ADEI best practices and tenets in all aspects of our work. City of Cambridge residents are especially encouraged to apply to job openings.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
The City of Cambridge is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ Community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The City is committed to advancing a workforce culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request by contacting Human Resources at