Description

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

The Communications Specialist is the first level in a three-level communications series. Incumbents are responsible for providing a variety of information to internal departments and externally to the community and media. The Communications Specialist is distinguished from the Senior Communications Specialist, which has more years of experience, more education/certification, and requires less supervision.

Examples of Duties

The following essential job functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed job functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different job functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Communicates with the public, which includes giving public presentations and/or tours; responding to requests for information via telephone, e-mail, and in person; and/or performing other related activities.
Writes, edits, proofreads, and produces a variety of public relations materials, which may include brochures, letters, reports, press releases, annual reports, newspaper articles, newsletters, website and social media content, and other related materials and/or documents. May review daily newspaper for articles referencing the District and/or relevant issues.
Researches a variety of topics, which may include legislative issues, water conservation issues, groundwater replenishment issues, and/or other related issues.
Plans, coordinates, implements, and/or guides tours, visits, events, and water education classes.
Assists in developing public relations plans for projects and/or crises; advises departments and employees on public relations protocol.
Participates in/on a variety of meetings, Boards, committees, foundations, and/or events.
Develops and maintains media, community, and legislative contact listings.
Handles job stress.
Interacts effectively with others in the workplace.
Follows all workplace and job safety rules and policies.
Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as required.

Typical Qualifications

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge Of

Public relations principles, planning, strategies, and activities.
Water/environmental issues.
Media protocol.
Research techniques.
Effective presentation principles.

Ability And Skills In

Speaking in public.
Preparing public relations materials.
Using computers and related software applications.
Providing customer service.
Conducting research.
Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Education And Experience Guidelines

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.

Experience: One year of related public relations experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

License: Valid California Class “C” Driver’s License.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Standard office setting.

Physical: Positions in this class typically require grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motion. Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. Incumbents may be subjected to travel. Incumbents require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting; stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; operate office equipment including use of a computer keyboard; push, pull, lift, and/or carry light amounts of weight; verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; and to operate assigned equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS

All Orange County Water District employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employees are required to complete all related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Supplemental Information

Schedule: 9/80 work schedule with alternating Fridays off, with work hours from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on scheduled workdays. Please note that occasional nights and weekends may be required to support District operations and special events.

Additional Information: Please attach or provide links to samples of written materials you have produced and edited, such as press releases, newsletters, reports, or other relevant documents.

Please visit the website below to view a summary of employee benefits:

Employee Benefits Information

NOTE: The provisions of this post do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this posting may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

01

Do you have a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.? If yes, please indicate your specific degree.

02

Please describe your years of experience in public relations and/or communications.

03

Do you have experience creating and delivering presentations to elected officials or other high-level stakeholders? Please provide details about your experience.

04

Please list the types of publications you have written and/or edited (e.g., press releases, op-eds, company newsletters, brochures, fact sheets, and award submissions). Which do you have the most experience with, and why?

05

Have you included samples of your writing and editing work? If so, please briefly describe the types of materials provided.

06

Do you currently possess a valid California Class "C" Driver's License?

07

I hereby understand and declare that the statements on this supplemental questionnaire are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. As applicable, I hereby authorize the Agency and/or designees to contact the references listed to verify the information I have supplied. I hereby release from liability all persons and organizations furnishing such information. I understand that the Agency reserves the right to validate information received on the supplemental questionnaire and that I will be subject to disqualification and/or termination if any statement in this supplemental questionnaire is found to be untrue or determined to be misleading.

Yes
No
Required Question

Orange County Water District

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Communications Specialist