Mesa Water District (Mesa Water) is Hiring a Public Affairs Manager Near Placentia, CA
JOB
Mesa Water District (Mesa Water) is thrilled to now be accepting applications for a Public Affairs Manager to join our team! The Public Affairs Manager assumes full management responsibility of our Public Affairs department which is comprised of a Water Use Efficiency and Education Coordinator, a Public Affairs Specialist, and a Department Assistant. The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies: Professional & Technical Expertise - Experience managing public communications, outreach programs, and communication strategies.Crisis Management - Ability to effectively navigate the media and public communications during a major threat to agency operations or reputation. Action & Results Focus - Sees goals and projects through to completion despite hurdles.Adaptability - Ability to quickly shift priorities as the situation requires.Innovation - Devising new and better ways of doing things.Professional Integrity & Ethics - Can be counted on to be true to one's word and take accountability for one's actions.Written & Oral Communication - Expert communicator both orally and in writing.Presentation Skill - Develops and delivers effective and persuasive presentations.Customer Focus - Puts oneself in the customer's shoes when designing and providing services.Involving Others - Engages others for input, contribution, and a shared responsibility for outcomes.Professional Impact - Presents self as a positive representative of the organization, commands positive attention in large group settings, and is comfortable talking to the media.Developing Others - Supporting others in stretching and expanding their capabilities.Leadership - Creating a positive work environment in which staff are motivated to do their best.Managing Performance - Recognizes superior or improved performance and intervenes quickly in response to developmental needs.Project Management - Ensures projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives.Strategic Perspective - Understands factors that are shaping the industry and anticipates opportunities that will be opening and closing; keeps an eye on the "big picture and long range implications.Interested candidates must submit their applications by 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 5, 2024. Qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a selection process that may consist of a skills test and interview panels. Contact recruiter, Camille Shehadeh, at camilles@mesawater.org with any questions.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
The Public Affairs Manager plans, directs, manages, and oversees the activities and operations of the Public Affairs department including public information, community outreach, education, marketing, and communication programs for the District. They also serve as the District’s liaison with the news media, oversee and participate in the development and dissemination of a wide variety of information and publications of public interest, lead the development of communication strategies and plans to enhance the District’s visibility, oversees and participates in special events, oversees water education and water use efficiency programs, policies, procedures and rebates, coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies, and provides responsible and professional administrative support to management personnel. This is a management classification responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating District public affairs, water education, and water use efficiency programs. The Public Affairs Manager requires specialized knowledge and understanding of public relations, marketing, outreach, communications and community information needs. Advanced interpersonal and mass communication, writing and presentation skills are required. Work requires creativity and resourcefulness to accomplish goals and objectives and involves exercising discretion in applying general goals and policy statements and in resolving organizational and service delivery problems. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines.Receives administrative direction from the General Manager. Exercises direct or general supervision over professional, technical and/or administrative staff.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
EDUCATION: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public relations, communications, journalism, public administration, or a related field.EXPERIENCE: Eight (8) years of increasingly responsible experience in public relations or public affairs work preferably in a utility or similar government setting developing and implementing communications strategies to meet organizational objectives, including three (3) years in a management or supervisory capacity.CERTIFICATE: An accreditation in Public Relations from Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) desirable.LICENSE: Valid class “C” California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record.KNOWLEDGE: Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive communications and public affairs program; water use efficiency laws, regulations, best management practices and techniques; principles of efficient landscape irrigation and design.Advanced principles and practices of program development and administration.Advanced principles and techniques used in development and disseminating communications for internal and external audiences.Current communications media sources, including but not limited to newspapers, radio, television, social media, and internet and the appropriate use of each.Advanced principles, procedures, standards, practices, trends, techniques, and information sources in the field of water efficiency; Local, state and federal legislation and regulations regarding water policies including SB120 and SB 998, Water use Efficiency Ordinance, long Term and short-term water shortage contingency plans.Principles of research, writing, editing, and preparing a variety of informational publications, reports, speeches, bulletins, press releases, feature stories, scripts, and distribution materials.Principles of business letter writing and report preparation.Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.Principles and practices of contract administration.Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.Standard organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, desk-top publishing, graphics, and databasesABILITY: Communicate clearly and concisely and have excellent verbal, written and public speaking skills.Manage and direct communications/outreach, water education, and water use efficiency program services and activities.Provide expertise to identify communication needs, present ideas, and execute assigned tasks.Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.Identify target audiences and develop pertinent messages.Serve as a District resource on communications and public affairs programming.Understand the implications of public information and evaluate the news value of District activities and functions.Speak effectively in making oral presentations to the District, media, community, and elected officials.Effectively and professionally represent the District to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit.Supervise, organize, and review the work of assigned staff.Select, train, and evaluate staff.Recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for assigned area.Participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets.Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.Understand the organization and operation of the District and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.Understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.Persuade and convince others using verbal and written skills.Adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality of new equipment and systems.Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.Operate a motor vehicle safely.Work cooperatively with other departments, District officials, and outside agencies.Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, District staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility.Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Job Summary