Salary : $71,697.60 - $82,908.80 Annually
Location : Fountain Valley, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2024-05
Department: Public Affairs
Opening Date: 05/22/2024
Closing Date: 6/10/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
Position Summary

The District is seeking to fill one (1) position as Public Affairs Coordinator I or Public Affairs Coordinator II. The District will determine the appropriate position selection after careful review of qualified applicants.
Do not delay in submitting your application as this job posting may close before listed close date.
Public Affairs Coordinator I: This is the entry-level classification in the Public Affairs Coordinator series. Initially, under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine tasks. This position must be familiar with performing routine duties in the coordination of customer and other stakeholder communications, events, and outreach programs, as well as administrative functions including management of stakeholder databases. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the Public Affairs Coordinator II level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress.
Public Affairs Coordinator (II): This is the journey-level classification in the Public Affairs Coordinator series responsible for performing the full range of duties attributed to the position. This classification requires a thorough understanding and elevated competency level of the tasks and nuances associated with the job, and can exercise experienced, sound judgment to take the initiative on projects and activities with guidance and minimal supervision. The Public Affairs Coordinator II is distinguished from the Public Affairs Coordinator I in that incumbents in the Public Affairs Coordinator II class perform more difficult and complex public affairs functions including developing, coordinating, and implementing public affairs programs that require a higher degree of independent judgment.
Essential Functions
Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.
Assists in coordinating and implementing the District's Public Affairs programs and activities, including:

• Education: Assists in coordinating educational programs and activities, such as scout programs, tours, community events, and more; participates and assists with the development and implementation of educational activities and outreach materials.
• Event Planning: Assists in coordinating public events; planning, execution, and follow-up of special events, including meetings, conferences, community events, tours, and other events provided by the District; compiles event and tour data for tracking attendance and other District opportunities.
• Community Outreach: Assists with the coordination of MWDOC's involvement in community events; assisting with the development of activities, preparing and packing event items, and staffing events and tours. Occasionally serves as the District mascot, Ricky the Rambunctious Raindrop.
• Event Registration: Performs registration duties for Department activities including Consumer Confidence Reports, special events, tours, scouts programs, and other events hosted or sponsored by the District.
• Public Relations: Assists in coordinating public relations efforts, including drafting press releases, social media content, newsletter content, and designing MWDOC member agency toolkit collateral, marketing materials, and other public relations outreach.
• New Media: Assists with posting information on the District's website; assists in developing and coordinating content for the District's social media efforts across multiple platforms.
• Communications: Assists in coordinating and developing briefing papers, information packets, and presentations.
• Agency Relations: Assists in developing and maintaining effective relationships with District board members and employees, MWDOC member agencies, and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California staff, elected officials, community and stakeholder groups, the public, and representatives of other government agencies and organizations; provides customer service and assistance as required.
• Graphic Support: Assists in developing marketing materials for MWDOC's outreach and education programs and activities such as brochures, flyers, event programs, infographics, briefing papers, collages, displays, presentations, and webpage layouts as needed.
• Public Affairs Workgroup: Assists in the planning and coordination of meetings with MWDOC member agencies; attends and provides presentations as necessary.
• Administrative: Gathers data; assembles and distributes reports; participates in the preparation and coordination of requests for proposals and agreements for various specialized professional services contracts; conducts research for projects, activities, and requests including special projects as assigned; performs website updates as needed; maintain inventory of marketing materials; prepare and process purchase requisitions for department purchases, and coordinate department calendar, schedules and meetings.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as directed.

Knowledge of:
Advanced office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases; District policies and procedures; program management and event planning and preparation; writing techniques; website maintenance; social media marketing; methods and techniques of graphic design, layout and print production; correct English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Ability to:
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; use graphic design software; exercise sound judgment and decision making skills; provide excellent customer service when communicating with a variety of audiences and stakeholders; creating effective graphic designs and layouts for use in public information and other District programs and activities; coordinate multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize while ensuring that project objectives and deadlines are met; understand both social and digital media platforms including mobile apps and web layout, social media content structure and analytics; organize, set priorities and exercise sound judgment within areas of responsibility; interpret, apply, explain and reach sound decisions in accordance with regulations, policies and procedures; use a high degree of tact, discretion and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and concerned people; effective internal and external cooperation and communication skills with both peers and executives levels; communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing; edit written materials; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including co-workers, outside agencies and the public.
Qualifications
Other Requirements:
Possess and maintain a valid California driver's license and automobile insurance under the terms of the District's Vehicle Insurance Policy, as this position requires driving. All District employees are Disaster Service Workers by CA state law and are expected to participate in emergency response initiatives. This could include contributing to the emergency planning process, participating in disaster exercises and training, as well as potentially responding to support actual emergency events.
Working Conditions and Physical Activities:
Environment: Standard office setting. Required to work some extended hours including evenings and weekends; and will be required to travel to attend meetings via car, bus, train, or air transportation assisting with tour-related activities. Required to wear the District mascot costume and occasionally perform as Ricky the Rambunctious Raindrop.
Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting; stand or sit for prolonged time periods; operate standard office equipment including the use of a computer and keyboard, telephone, FAX machine, printers, calculators, copiers; push, pull, lift, and/or carry approximately 25 pounds; and communicate to exchange information. Requires frequent climbing on and off bus when on tours; and exposure to inclement weather conditions.
Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.
Employee Benefits
The Municipal Water District of Orange County offers the following comprehensive benefits package to all full-time employees. Please refer to the District's Personnel Manual for complete details on eligibility and enrollment dates for health benefits, insurance, policy requirements and restrictions.
Medical Insurance
Several competitive medical insurance plans are currently offered, as listed, and employees are required to contribute a portion toward their monthly medical insurance premiums. The District currently pays 100% of the lowest cost plan for employee only. The employee may elect to "buy up" to another plan and pay the difference.
Anthem Blue Cross PPO
Anthem Blue Cross HMO
Kaiser
Consumer Driven Health Plan (PPO)
Consumer Driven Health Plan (Kaiser)
Dental Insurance
The District currently offers the Delta Dental (PPO) plan only. Enrolled employees are required to contribute a portion toward their monthly dental insurance premiums.
Vision Insurance
The District currently offers Vision Service Plan (VSP) for eye exams, frames, lenses and/or contact lenses. Benefits are paid according to a scheduled allowances through VSP. The District currently pays 100% of the monthly insurance premium for employees and dependents.
Medical, dental and vision benefits go into effect on the 1st day of the month following 30 days of continuous employment with the District.
Life Insurance
The District currently provides a Life/ADD (accidental death and dismemberment) benefit of two times annual salary to a maximum of $300,000 (see policy for exceptions, terms and exclusions) and the premium is currently paid by the District. Enrollment eligibility is 1st of the month following 30 days of continuous employment with the District. Supplemental coverage is available at employee's expense.
Disability Insurance
Short-term Disability - State Disability Insurance (SDI) is deducted (withheld) from employees' wages. SDI provides temporary payments to workers who are unable to perform their usual work because of pregnancy or a non-occupational illness or injury (work-related illness or injuries are covered by workers' compensation insurance). SDI also includes (PFL), which provides benefits to eligible workers when they take time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. A qualifying family member isa child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or registered domestic partner.
Long-term Disability Insurance. This insurance serves as partial income replacement should an employee become seriously injured or disabled and unable to work due to a non-work related injury or illness. The insurance becomes available after a waiting period of 90 days and provides 66.67% of an employee's salary up to a maximum monthly benefit of $10,000. (See policy for exceptions, terms and exclusions). The District currently pays for this benefit.
Vacation Time
Full-time employees may use vacation time following six months of employment with the District.
Vacation accrual varies upon years of services, as follows:
Years of Service Hours Annually (approx)
Beginning with 1st year80.00
Beginning with 4th year120.00
Beginning with 11th year136.00
Beginning with 15th year160.00
Beginning with 20th year168.00
Holidays
The District offers 12 annual paid holidays, including one floating holiday, designated by the employee.
Sick Time
Regular eligible full-time employees are eligible for sick time following completion of 30 days of continuous employment. Sick time accrues at 12 days per year with a maximum accrual of 488 hours.
Jury or Witness Duty Leave
Regular eligible full-time employees required to serve as jurors are granted jury duty leave with pay, less any fees paid to them by the court, except mileage up to a maximum period of thirty (30) working days. Employees serving on a jury exceeding the thirty (30) day period shall do so without pay. This benefit is effective immediately upon employment.
Bereavement Leave
Up to 5 days is available when death of an immediate family member occurs. This benefit is effective following 30 days of employment.
Serious Family Illness Leave
Up to 4 days are available, per fiscal year, to attend the operation of an immediate family member, the serious illness, or injury of an immediate family member, where death of an immediate family member appears imminent, or birth of an employee's child. This benefit is available following completion of 30 days of service.
Pension Plan
The District participates in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Per the Public Employees' Pension Reform act of 2012 (PEPRA), "classic members" currently employed in a reciprocal public agency are enrolled in a 2% at 55 CalPERS pension plan with a 7% required employee contribution. "New members", either new to the public sector, or whose date of separation was more than 6 months before the start date with the District, are enrolled in a 2% at 62 CalPERS pension plan with a required employee contribution which is subject to change in accordance with PERS guidelines. Qualifying employees are eligible immediately upon hire by the District.
Deferred Compensation /457 Plan
The Deferred Compensation Program is a voluntary, non-qualified deferred compensation plan and is available to any eligible employee who elects, pursuant to the Plan, to defer a portion of their compensation based on the maximum allowable annual contribution and meets participation requirements. Participation is available upon hire.
Flexible Benefits Spending Plan
A Flexible Benefits Spending Plan provides employees a means of paying unreimbursed medical, dental, and dependent care costs with pre-tax dollars, and allows for employee contributions for District group health insurance premiums to be deducted on a pre-tax basis.
Health Saving Account (HSA)
The District offers two high-deductible health insurance plans. Eligible employees who participate in one of these plans receive an annual contribution from the District to a health savings plan. Contribution amounts are determined annually by the Board of Directors.
Medicare Contribution
Employees hired after April 1, 1986, are required to contribute to the Medicare portion of the Social Security program and those employees shall contribute 1.45% of their salary; with the District matching the fund by contributing 1.45% of the employee's salary.
Social Security
The District and the Employee may participate in Social Security, if the employee does not meet the eligibility requirements for enrollment in the District's 401a plan or CalPERS.
Career Development/Tuition Reimbursement
The District offers a tuition reimbursement program designed to provide financial assistance to all full-time employees who wish to continue their formal education and assist employees in obtaining skills and/or knowledge to become better qualified for their current work classification or for advancement at the District.
Computer Purchase Program
Loans from $300 to $2,000 are available for full-time employees to purchase or upgrade a personal computer. Loans are interest-free and repaid over a one-year period through payroll deductions. This benefit becomes available following one year of service.
Cell phone Reimbursement
Employees may apply for cell phone reimbursement, in accordance with existing policy.
Catastrophic Leave Program
Allows employees who have accrued vacation or sick leave credits, to have the option to voluntarily donate hours to another full time employee who has exhausted his/her sick, vacation, and compensatory time leaves due to a non-work related catastrophic illness or injury.
Miscellaneous
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available and offers a confidential, consultative resource for personal or work-related concerns for yourself or your family. This benefit is available to full-time employees.
The District also offers workplace flexibility, employee recognition programs, voluntary supplemental insurance plans and a wellness program.
Please reach out to Human Resources for additional information and/or full program details.