Open until filled

Under general direction, supervises, plans, organizes, and performs a wide variety of media relations, public information, legislative activities and intergovernmental affairs, and water education assignments on behalf of the District; plans, assigns, supervises and evaluates the work and performance of assigned staff; serves as lead liaison between the District and other public agencies, local elected officials, ratepayer, community and industry groups, and the media; responsible for developing, planning, and implementing stakeholder outreach programs, and implementation of education programs on a variety of water related topics; manages community relations, campaign launches, and grassroot activities; provides responsible advice and counsel to the Director of Public and Governmental Affairs, and other District staff on media and community relations and legislative issues; supervises and may serve as events coordinator for special District events; and performs related duties, as assigned.

Typical responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Supervises, plans, and coordinates the work of lower-level staff; directs, assigns, monitors, and reviews work activities; determines work priorities; oversees quantity and quality of work performed and ensures adherence to established policies and procedures.
• Manages the District’s public affairs initiatives including branding, video communications, annual media and communication planning, and outreach strategies, tour programs, business outreach initiatives, education, and other public affairs initiatives; writes, designs, and develops supporting materials.
• Formulates communications strategies, key messages, and strategic deployment opportunities for addressing community and agency concerns; and assists departments in the preparation, messaging, design, and dissemination of print and digital public information materials.
• Develops and oversees implementation of the District’s public awareness, information and community involvement programs that communicate information to public, stakeholder, and employee audiences about District programs, projects, services, and policies by communication tools such as news releases, reports, fact sheets, bill inserts, newsletters, talking points, speeches, presentations, videos, web-based content, and other print/graphic materials; and provides photography services as needed.
• Manages the development, implementation, adaptation, and usage of the District’s electronic communication platforms, including maintaining business relationships with existing and potential contractors or vendors to ensure new or improved communication platforms integrate seamlessly into the District’s existing systems.
• Manages the District’s online presence and serves as webmaster for the District’s public-facing site; develops inter- and intranet sites structures, access permissions, design, and implementation of Content Management System (CMS) features and templates, testing, troubleshooting, and support including managing contracts and service-level agreements with vendors to ensure ongoing improvement of the website.

Required Skills

Ability to: Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner; use tact, discretion and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and concerned people and customers, both internal and external; plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff; effectively provide staff leadership and work direction; assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards; implement comprehensive public information programs aligned with District priorities; prepares and/or coordinates a variety of reports, correspondence, articles and graphic materials, education programs; consults with District staff to research and write technical information and reports for official District publications; writes and reviews press releases for media and articles for professional newsletters on topics related to District programs, facilities, and issues; conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports; ensure consistent messaging on communication materials; deliver presentations to community organizations and the general public; establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems; understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed; effectively represent the department and the District in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals; independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments; use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines; follow and apply written and oral work instructions; effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax; establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Required Experience

Any combination of experience and education that provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, along with the specific licenses/certifications as outlined below:

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience with at least two (2) years in lead capacity directing the work of others involving the development and coordination of public affairs and/or communications programs and projects, including the development of media, branding, website content management and communication plans.

Requires a valid California Class C driver's license and ability to maintain insurability under the District's Vehicle Insurance Policy.

Ability to: Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner; use tact, discretion and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and concerned people and customers, both internal and external; plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff; effectively provide staff leadership and work direction; assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards; implement comprehensive public information programs aligned with District priorities; prepares and/or coordinates a variety of reports, correspondence, articles and graphic materials, education programs; consults with District staff to research and write technical information and reports for official District publications; writes and reviews press releases for media and articles for professional newsletters on topics related to District programs, facilities, and issues; conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports; ensure consistent messaging on communication materials; deliver presentations to community organizations and the general public; establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems; understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed; effectively represent the department and the District in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals; independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments; use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines; follow and apply written and oral work instructions; effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax; establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.