Trusted Community Voices Liaison

About the role

The Trusted Community Voices (TCV) team at the City of Burlington seeks passionate community advocates to help build trust, strengthen relationships, and improve communication between immigrant and refugee populations and local government.

Responsibilities

• Attend required trainings, planning meetings, professional development opportunities, and REIB team meetings.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships within communities that have historically been underrepresented or underserved.
• Conduct culturally responsive outreach and engagement on behalf of City departments regarding programs, services, initiatives, public meetings, public safety efforts, and community resources.
• Serve as a liaison between residents and City government by facilitating meaningful two-way communication and ensuring community perspectives are shared with City staff and leadership.
• Advise City departments and REIB staff on culturally responsive engagement strategies, communication approaches, community priorities, and barriers to participation.
• Support community meetings, listening sessions, neighborhood events, workshops, and other public engagement activities throughout Burlington.
• Connect residents with appropriate City departments, community organizations, and available resources while helping to reduce barriers to access.
• Promote equitable participation in City programs, boards, commissions, planning processes, and civic engagement opportunities.
• Identify emerging community needs, concerns, and opportunities to strengthen trust and collaboration between residents and local government.
• Provide culturally responsive interactions that foster inclusion, belonging, and respectful dialogue.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism while working with sensitive community concerns and information.
• Document outreach activities and community feedback, and assist REIB and City departments in evaluating engagement efforts and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Provide candid feedback to REIB leadership and City staff regarding engagement strategies, community needs, and opportunities to improve equitable service delivery.

Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements

• Ability to actively support City diversity, equity, and cultural competency efforts within stated job responsibilities and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development.
• Strong connections and credibility within one or more historically marginalized or underrepresented communities in Burlington.
• Demonstrates cultural knowledge and lived experience that supports authentic community engagement.
• Experience or interest in community organizing, advocacy, public engagement, social services, restorative practices, public health, education, or related fields.
• Committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and belonging within Burlington.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Works effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises sound judgment when handling sensitive information.
• Able to speak and read English; additional language proficiency is highly valued.
• Demonstrates basic computer literacy, including the ability to navigate web-based systems and databases; use Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams); communicate effectively by email; and learn new technology platforms as needed to support program activities.

Guiding Principles

The TCV Program Seeks To Build trust between community members and local government. Increase equitable access to information and resources. Ensure community voices inform City decisions. Promote inclusive participation across Burlington's diverse communities. Strengthen partnerships that contribute to safer, healthier, and more connected neighborhoods.

Time Commitment

Trusted Community Voices team members generally work up to 8 hours per week, not to exceed 16 hours during a biweekly pay period, unless otherwise authorized. Work hours are flexible and based on community engagement activities, meetings, events, and City priorities. Some evening and weekend hours may be required to support community outreach and participation. Hours may vary from week to week depending on outreach initiatives, seasonal programming, and community needs.