Communications Team Lead

The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities is currently seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Communications Team Lead (Management Analyst, Senior). The selected individual will be a member of the DPU Communications Team helping manage and support the department’s mission to provide timely and accurate information to the public and internal audiences on utility services, programs, projects and consumer responsibilities. Working under the direction of the Public Information Manager, Senior, this role will focus on day-to-day management of staff and projects. 

As assigned, work may include: managing procedural and administrative aspects of the team, programs or projects; assisting with the development and editing of policies and procedures; data gathering, data compilation, basic analysis, and developing recommendations and reports.

**This position is considered Essential.** 

**The incumbent is required to work when the City is closed due to public emergencies, critical or hazardous conditions, and inclement weather.**

• Actively manage the day-to-day activities of the communications and marketing and management analysts to ensure the successful execution of communications and outreach. 
• Assist with comprehensive and strategic communications, marketing, public relations and outreach strategies for all five divisions (gas, water, wastewater, stormwater, streetlights) within the Department of Public Utilities to enhance customer service and public awareness.
• Assist with management of the department websites, including all written and digital content.
• Assist and/or lead the development of a robust social media strategy and assist with development of content across all platforms (i.e. X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, LinkedIn, etc.).
• Assist with the development of print and digital collateral materials for the department, including annual reports, brochures, signs, posters, banners, infographics, etc.
• Support regulatory compliance requirements through various means (i.e. videos, PSAs, tours, outreach and community involvement).
• Lead communication efforts for routine and emergency utility project impacts and updates.
• Conduct research, provide updates, make recommendations and implement solutions to achieve project goals and objectives.
• Support emergency communications in the event of utility related emergencies.
• Lead, develop and participate in meetings, community events and other outreach activities during evening or weekend hours.
• Develop presentations as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Candidate will have experience leading a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment. This position requires considerable project management experience to include developing effective relationships to enhance success. Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel are a must – advanced skills are desired. Must possess the ability to think strategically, manage time effectively and multi-task. This position will demonstrate excellent customer service and be adept at learning new and complex industries/companies, products, or technical knowledge and effectively conveying that knowledge. Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and interpersonal skills. This position will demonstrate strong analytical/problem solving skills, be innovative in proposing solutions, and possess diplomacy and work well in a team-oriented environment. This position requires a candidate who is a strategic thinker, self-starter, organized, versatile, and capable of performing work with minimal management oversight.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Business, Public Administration or similar field.

• Four years of journey-level professional experience in area related to assignment, such as program/project management or management/policy/financial analysis.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification

PREFERRED TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Two years of professional communications, marketing or outreach experience in the water and/or gas utility industry.
• Two years of communications or outreach experience in a local government utility.
• Two years of managing staff to include managing workflow, leading teams to high levels of performance, evaluating performance and providing feedback.
• Two years of project management experience.
• Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.
• Advanced Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly talk, hear, see, and perform repetitive motions; frequently reach and finger; and occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, push, pull, lift, walk, grasp, and feel. The working conditions may not include environmental hazards. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be sedentary, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.

Salary : $59,652 - $111,979