Communications Manager

About the role

This professional position leads and oversees all communications for the Division of Water and Sewer Utilities, managing the creation and production of publications, marketing campaigns, signage, print collateral, and media and press relations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Division’s representative for routine, emergency, and emerging media inquiries.
• Develop proactive public information campaigns that raise awareness of the Division’s core mission areas, including water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, recycled water production, source water protection, and water conservation efforts.
• Oversee all marketing, public relations, brand development, communications, and community outreach.
• Create layouts and graphic design materials for communication products, promotional items, and social media content.
• Edit and enhance communication materials prepared by staff to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency.
• Represent the division on routine, emergency, and emerging media inquiries and community concerns.
• Implement public information campaigns to educate division customers on key issues.
• Audit outreach effectiveness and adapt communication strategies to support evolving program and organizational goals.
• Generate publicity and manage positive relationships with the press.
• Manage the Division website and create a social media presence; provide information to the public on DWSU capital improvement projects.
• Coordinate efforts with FCG Division of Communications and Video Services.
• Collaborate with regional partners on coordinated, regional messaging for shared concerns and interests.
• Take a lead role in digital crisis communications, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination of information across traditional media and modern digital platforms.
• Engage with the press and the public at DWSU treatment facilities, construction sites, or emergency repair sites.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in communications, public affairs, or media relations.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience supervising or managing staff.

Qualifications

• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication, including the ability to summarize complex information in written form while maintaining consistent messaging.
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook.
• Proficiency in graphics software such as Adobe Creative Suites.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of public relations writing and media relations, marketing, and graphic arts.
• Considerable knowledge of computer applications including word processing, graphic design, spreadsheets, databases, geographic information systems, and presentation software.
• Extensive knowledge of Associated Press style guidelines and the ability to write concisely using simple language.
• Considerable knowledge of current communications technologies appropriate for the dissemination of information; graphic arts; and video and television, radio and publication related standards, social media, tools, and techniques.
• Competence in managing social media accounts and engaging constituents appropriately.
• Ability to manage strategies to inform all division activities to residents, media, and others.
• Ability to produce informative and interesting new releases, special articles, reports, and other materials.
• Ability to work independently, and complete assigned duties on deadline with minimal supervision.
• Ability to solve problems and to develop solutions and strategies.
• Ability to effectively multitask and organize work, establish priorities, make decisions, and complete assigned duties with minimum supervision.
• Ability to effectively access and utilize computerized systems and the internet.
• Willingness to learn new techniques and platforms, research if necessary.
• Ability to identify and navigate sensitive issues in communications.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, elected officials, other governmental agencies and personnel, media representatives, and members of the public.

Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Adobe Creative Suite proficiency.
• Public relations and media relations experience.
• Graphic design and marketing experience.
• Ability to manage social media accounts.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks.
• Knowledge of Associated Press style guidelines.
• Ability to navigate sensitive issues in communications.

Benefits

• 11 days of vacation with increase after 2 years of employment.
• 15 days of sick leave with unlimited annual carryover.
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays.
• Comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options, including generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan).
• Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending benefits.
• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care.
• Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit.
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan.
• Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program.
• Tuition Reimbursement Program.
• Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.

Pay

The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy. For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate.

Schedule

Full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.