Project Communications Coordinator/Specialist

Why DOWL?

DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you’re valued.  We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

Summary

The Project Communications Specialist is a versatile, firm-wide “arc” role supporting projects across all DOWL market sectors. This position leads public involvement, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications for transformative community planning and infrastructure projects. Acting as a bridge between technical teams, clients, and communities, the role translates complex project information into clear, accessible content. Responsibilities include coordinating outreach activities such as public meetings, stakeholder communications, and digital storytelling. Our team includes professionals at a range of experience levels, enabling career development opportunities and alignment with project needs. Together, the team contributes to consistent messaging, strong client and community relationships, and successful project delivery across the full breadth of DOWL’s services.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Advanced


• Market Sector Software (Adobe Creative Suite) - Advanced

Technical Expertise

• Advanced understanding of technical fundamentals


• Demonstrates expertise to others within and beyond market sector


• Provides unique solutions to complex technical challenges


• Leads internal mentoring


• Performs quality control of complex deliverables

Teamwork

Team player and team leader with the ability to follow on large or complex projects. Provides clear communication and direction, sets expectations, and takes responsibility for results of the team.

Project Delivery

Leads the production of and provides quality control for the following:

• Fact sheets


• Presentations, posters, boards, and other visual aids


• StoryMaps and graphic storytelling


• Meeting agendas, minutes, notes, and summaries


• Event plans and associated event materials

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Strong understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Able to predict and deliver individual tasks within a set level of effort. Develop budgets and schedules for complex tasks and projects. Breaks down complex projects into logical tasks. Able to consistently meet budget and schedule expectations on projects. Able to prioritize multiple assignments to successfully deliver all assigned projects on time and on budget. Mentor others on above.

Industry Standards and Regulations

Expertly interprets, selects, and employs appropriate tactics and strategy to enable effective public involvement and communication support to be provided.

Client Interaction

Frequent direct communications with clients on large/complex projects. Leads technical client project meetings. Understands appropriate messaging and legal risks. Participates in project interviews.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Primarily performs advanced technical tasks on complex, demanding projects for the market sector. Operates with a high level of autonomy. Reviews the work of others. Mentors others with less experience. May provide some project management services.

Supervisory Duties

May be a supervisor:

• Oversees team operations and the daily workflow of the team


• Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks


• Recruits and hires new employees


• Implements training for new hires and identifies training opportunities for current staff


• Communicates information from leadership to employees and vice versa


• Monitors employee productivity and provides constructive feedback and coaching


• Sets goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company’s plans and vision and communicates them to employees


• Provides constructive and timely performance evaluations


• Decides on reward and promotion based on performance


• Handles discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy

Education and/or Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required


• Bachelor’s Degree in communications, planning, or journalism preferred


• Years of experience required: 10 years


• Years of experience required with advanced degree: 9 years

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to create and interpret graphs and understand statistical analysis.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.