JOIN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY!
We welcome veteran or transitioning military to apply
The San Diego County Water Authority is an independent public agency that serves as San Diego County's regional water wholesaler. The mission of the Water Authority is to provide a safe and reliable water supply to its 24 member agencies serving the region's $268 billion economy and 3.3 million residents.
The Water Authority is executing a long-term strategy to diversify the region's supplies, make major investments in the region's water delivery and storage system, and improve water use efficiency. Through dynamic leadership, thoughtful planning, and prudent fiscal policies, the Water Authority is cost effectively managing the region's water portfolio, while continuing to diversify supplies to enhance current and future reliability.
The Public Affairs Department
The Public Affairs (PA) Department establishes, fosters, and strengthens relations with business and civic organizations, community leaders, school-age children, members of the news media, and the general public to build and sustain support for Water Authority programs and initiatives. The department employs a range of tactics to communicate the Water Authority's priorities and messages. The department also implements regional programs to support member agency efforts to communicate the value of water, water-efficient practices and smart investments in regional infrastructure.
The department is also responsible for coordinating outreach on Water Authority Capital Improvement projects and promoting the Small Contractor Outreach and Opportunities Program.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have a strong background in media and/or media relations with an ability to write clean, concise, creative and accurate copy on deadline that is transferrable to a variety of print and electronic formats. They will show the capacity to manage a website using WordPress, along with a history of effectively using social media platforms. They also will possess the skills, tact, and temperament to collaborate closely with subject matter experts and edit other writers' copy to ensure content, grammar and style comply with Water Authority standards. This candidate will have current knowledge of the regional and national media landscape, at least five years of experience working in the media and/or in media relations, and the ability to work with media professionals both proactively and on tight deadlines in fast-paced and sometimes stressful circumstances. The ideal candidate will be able to develop relationships across Water Authority departments at all levels of the agency to communicate the agency's efforts on behalf of the San Diego region. Knowledge of water issues is desired but not required. Fluency in Spanish is desirable. Strong skills in video production are also highly desirable.
The Principal Public Affairs Representative will enhance and execute key communication initiatives on behalf of the Water Authority, with primary responsibility for managing the day-to-day operations of the Water News Network (WaterNewsNetwork.com) and media relations. The role involves a heavy emphasis on planning, developing, writing, and publishing agency materials, including news stories, news releases, newsletter articles, key points, fact sheets and email updates.
This is an ideal role for an experienced public outreach or communications strategist who is skilled at developing and maintaining media relations programs and experienced in writing and publishing for lay audiences. In this role, the Principal Public Affairs Representative will collaborate with all members of the public affairs team to develop understanding and guide implementation of media engagement plans to advance the Water Authority’s priorities. This individual has a deep understanding of the latest trends and tools for media, social media, digital publishing, and public relations. The Principal Public Affairs Representative translates complex information into clear, compelling messages and stories that drive engagement both with the media and through the Water News Network. Assignments are independent, complex, and broad-based and require the knowledge and application of advanced traditional and digital public affairs strategies and tactics. The Principal Public Affairs Representative is expected to consistently demonstrate independent and sophisticated judgment.
Representative Duties
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.
This writing-intensive job requires working directly with the Public Affairs Supervisor to:
- Update, develop and deploy earned media strategies to proactively communicate Water Authority programs, priorities and positions to various stakeholder audiences about water supplies and planning, conservation, legislation and regulation, facilities, operations and maintenance, and other issues as needed.
- Ensure tactics are executed, while recommending new ideas and adjusting as needed.
- Produce a high volume of compelling written materials that explain Water Authority activities and policies for internal, online and print publications including the Water News Network, along with external publications such as community newspapers and stakeholder newsletters.
- Manage media requests and work with subject matter experts to provide timely and accurate responses.
- Manage content on the Water Authority's news website (WNN).
- Engage in social medial, including videography and photography, to support the WNN and the agency as a whole.
- Maintain relationships with local, regional and national media to ensure Water Authority perspectives are accurately communicated.
- Supervise contractors and staff to ensure professional standards are maintained in agency outreach materials.
- Coordinate updates to Water Authority websites, fact sheets, the lobby information center, board room posters, social media channels, videos and other outreach tools as needed to ensure information is consistent, correct and current across platforms; and
- Administer special projects as assigned.
- Provide advice - to Water Authority executives, board members and member agencies to ensure positive media relations and communications.
- Prepare Board memos, administrative and technical reports, contracts, and other correspondence.
- Represent the Water Authority at official meetings.
- Perform skilled, professional duties in the development of public affairs, public awareness and information, community education and outreach and media relations programs.
- As assigned, represents the Water Authority on committees and on other industry, professional and community committees and task forces.
- Coordinates and participates in the development of major community outreach programs.
- Confers with representatives of other departments, committees and vendors as required by project assignments.
For further details regarding the duties and responsibilities, and qualification guidelines for this class specification, please click on the following link: Principal Public Affairs Representative
Optional Hybrid Work Schedule:
The Water Authority has embraced a hybrid work schedule to offer employees flexibility and work-life balance. An option to telework up to 3 days per week and work onsite 2 days per week is available for this position. Employees authorized to telework must be able to report to Water Authority facilities as needed, depending on the operational needs of the department and/or area of assignment. Additionally, employees assigned to work at the Kearny Mesa office work a 9/80 schedule, where the entire facility is closed every other Friday. The qualification guidelines generally describe the knowledge and ability required to enter the job in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public relations, communications, public administration, political science or a closely related field supplemented by five years of progressively responsible professional experience involving the development and coordination of public affairs, legislative analysis or community outreach programs and projects similar to those administered by the Water Authority. Professional experience in media relations and/or producing media stories is highly desirable. Knowledge of regional issues and media is desired but not required.
Licenses and Other Requirements
A valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Water Authority's Vehicle Insurance Policy. To be considered for this position, please submit an employment application and supplemental questionnaire by Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.
All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be evaluated in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. The selection process may consist of an appraisal interview, writing exercise, and/or other appropriate screening devices.
To ensure timely and successful navigation, please consider applying early if you are new to the governmentjobs.com application system. For technical assistance with the online application system, please review the Government Jobs online application guide, or contact their toll-free applicant support line at (855) 524-5627. If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Patricia Duran, Human Resources Analyst, at (858) 522-6663.
The San Diego County Water Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy status), gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, genetic information, mental or physical disability (whether perceived or actual), ancestry, military or veteran status, citizenship status, medical condition, and/or national origin.
The San Diego County Water Authority welcomes veterans or transitioning military. If you have questions whether your Military Occupational Specialties or rating qualifies you for a job opening, please visit TIPS & RESOURCES FOR VETERANS APPLYING FOR JOBS IN WATER, on the Water Authority’s regional workforce development website, SanDiegoWaterWorks.org.
Should you have any questions regarding the recruitment process or require accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact Patricia Duran, Human Resources Analyst, at (858) 522-6663.