The Raleigh Department of Planning and Development is recruiting a fluent Spanish speaker to assist in outreach, education, and engagement for the Dix Edge Area Study. The goal of the study is to develop policies, tools and budgetary recommendations to keep and build more affordable housing in the neighborhoods next to Dix Park. The Study will also focus on improvements to the roads, including Lake Wheeler and S. Saunders as well as exploring new greenway connections, new bike lanes and much more!

The Ambassador will begin work immediately after a virtual training and serve on the project for the next three months with an option to stay on through the end of the year. The ideal Ambassador should live, work, or have a direct connection to the study area and be trusted members of the community with a deep local knowledge of the area and the people in it.  

We are currently seeking an ambassador who is fluent in Spanish. 

Please fill out the entire application to be considered for the Ambassador Program. 

What does a Neighborhood ambassador do?

• Neighborhood Ambassadors are paid an honorarium of $15 an hour for their time. 
• Ensures that the public is engaged and has a trusted voice to share feedback with.
• Promote meetings and information sessions to the public.
• Gather contact information from interested community residents for the purposes of future outreach.
• Act as a trusted voice in the community, which may mean telling the project team where outreach strategies are weak or where there is public mistrust in the process.
• Use personal social media and email networks to spread the word about the Dix Edge Study and keep the community plugged in.
• Provides the project team with honest feedback from the public, even if that feedback is not positive.

What is the time commitment?

• We are looking for a Spanish-speaking ambassador to start immediately and stay with the team for the next three months, with an option to stay on the project through the end of the year. 
• Around 5 to 10 hours per month, which will include meeting with members of the community to help introduce the project and promote upcoming events. The time commitment includes advertising, recruitment, and reporting back to the project team.

What training or assistance will the City provide?

• The City will provide Ambassadors with informational and promotional materials which will contain all of the materials needed to conduct a community meeting on the Dix Edge Study. Ambassadors will not be expected to supply their own materials, the project team will give you everything you need.
• Paid training will be provided before Ambassadors are asked to begin their work.
• Reporting templates for you to provide all the information back to the City.

What are the benefits to getting involved?

• You’ll get to know your community and help ensure that everyone feels like their voice is being heard.
• You can help shape the future of the study area by engaging the people who live within it.
• You will get exposure to professional planning process in how a planning study works and get the opportunity to learn about how processes like these shape Raleigh’s future.
• The program pays $15 an hour, including training time. 
• Snacks at all the meetings
• A t-shirt! 

Questions? Contact Sara Ellis at sara.ellis@raleighnc.gov or 919.996.2234.