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Public Engagement Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Josh Thompson Job Title: Digital Engagement Officer A Digital Engagement Officer will make ... This is both a public relations and fundraising job with two major components - making phone calls ...

Josh Thompson Job Title: Digital Engagement Officer A Digital Engagement Officer will make ... This is both a public relations and fundraising job with two major components - making phone calls ...

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Public Engagement Officer information

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$27K

$77.8K

$136.5K

How much do public engagement officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for public engagement officer in the United States is $77,797.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,000.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a public engagement officer?

Public Engagement Officers are professionals responsible for building and maintaining relationships between an organization and the public. They develop and implement strategies to engage communities, stakeholders, and the general public through events, campaigns, and outreach activities. Their goal is to increase awareness, foster participation, and ensure effective communication between the organization and its audiences. Public Engagement Officers often work in government, non-profits, museums, and educational institutions.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a public engagement officer?

To thrive as a Public Engagement Officer, you need strong communication, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills, often supported by a degree in communications, public relations, or a related field. Familiarity with digital communication platforms, CRM systems, and event management tools is typically required. Excellent interpersonal skills, cultural awareness, and the ability to build relationships are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills are vital for effectively connecting with diverse audiences, fostering community involvement, and ensuring successful delivery of engagement initiatives.

How does a public engagement officer collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders?

Public Engagement Officers play a key role in fostering communication between their organization and the public. They frequently work cross-departmentally, coordinating with communications, marketing, and program teams to ensure consistent messaging and effective outreach. Externally, they build relationships with community groups, partners, and media outlets, often organizing events or campaigns to boost public awareness and involvement. Strong interpersonal and project management skills are essential for balancing these collaborations and achieving engagement goals.

How to get into a public engagement officer career?

To become a public engagement officer, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level roles in community outreach, event planning, or media can be valuable, along with developing strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Familiarity with social media platforms and public relations tools can also enhance prospects in this field.

What does a public engagement officer do?

A public engagement officer plans and implements strategies to communicate with and involve the public in organizational initiatives. They organize events, create outreach materials, and use social media or other channels to build community relationships and promote awareness. Strong communication skills and knowledge of public relations are essential for this role.

What skills do you need to be a public engagement officer?

A public engagement officer needs strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively connect with diverse audiences. They should have experience in community outreach, event planning, and often utilize social media or other digital tools to promote initiatives. Organizational skills and the ability to work collaboratively are also important for success in this role.
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Infographic showing various Public Engagement Officer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,797 per year, or $37.4 per hour.

Programming & Engagement Officer

Charlottesville, VA

Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc.
Museums and Historical Sites • 201 - 500 employees

$69K - $78K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

About the Thomas Jefferson Foundation
The Thomas Jefferson Foundation has a twofold mission of preservation and education, and was incorporated in 1923 to preserve Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Today, the Foundation seeks to bring history forward into national and global dialogues by engaging audiences with Jefferson's world and ideas, and sharing the history of everyone who lived and labored at Monticello. Monticello is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, a United Nations World Heritage Site and a Site of Conscience.
Programming amp; Engagement Officer (Full-time)
Purpose:
The Programming amp; Engagement Officer advances Monticello's public mission by assisting in the leadership, development and management of our public programming strategy as part of our effort to educate and deepen audience engagement and broaden the Foundation's reach. This position serves as a key connector across internal teams and with external communities, to ensure that programming is thoughtfully planned, consistently evaluated, and aligned with institutional priorities.
Compensation:
$69,000 - $78,000
We will look to you to:
  • Programming Strategy amp; Leadership Lead the institutional programming portfolio and annual planning process. Chair the Program amp; Events Committee and regularly convene a cross-department meeting to guide public programming planning from concept to plan and handoff to marketing and events teams for execution.
  • Valuations and Operations In collaboration with key stakeholders throughout the Foundation, maintain the public and private programs calendar that drives scheduling, marketing and event planning.
  • Manage the pipeline and institutional workflows for execution of public programs and invitation only events. Establish standardized production templates, relevant data and after action debriefs in coordination with all relevant parties throughout the Foundation to inform future programming and events.
  • Program Development Oversee recurring program series and ideate new initiatives. Initiate and manage speaker invitations, negotiations, logistics, and relationship as part of their appearance at Monticello events and programs.
  • Community Engagement Cultivate strategic partnerships in and outside of the Charlottesville community that advance institutional goals and bring new audiences to Monticello.
  • Serve as a liaison to community leaders and cultural organizations. Identify opportunities for collaborative programming and partnership initiatives to attract, retain, and diversify local audiences.
  • Support institutional participation in mission aligned initiatives and commemorations where leadership determines opportunity.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, or Marketing required.
  • Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of experience in public programming, museums, nonprofit organizations, higher education, or cultural institutions required.
  • Exceptional written and verbal skills, including public speaking and presentation skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a diverse audience.
  • Prior experience implementing, managing, and maintaining complex public programs.
  • Experience with history and museum studies, nonprofit engagement preferred, community outreach, or a closely related field.
  • Strong understanding of American history, civic education, leadership development, or public engagement a plus.
Physical Demands and Work Considerations:
  • Occasional evening, weekend, and holiday work required.
  • Monticello is located on a mountaintop; walking on steep inclines, and uneven, rocky ground is required.
We provide the following benefits for our full-time employees:
  • Excellent benefits package (including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) retirement savings plan plus 6% match, life insurance, and more!).
  • Fitness club membership discount.
  • Discount in the Monticello Cafe, gift shop, and Monticello online catalog.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - free for employee and dependents.
  • $500 employee referral bonus.
If you believe this opportunity is the right fit for you, we encourage you to apply!