Communications Specialist / Senior Communications Specialist

Position Overview

Hazen and Sawyer Communications and Public Outreach is seeking a Communications Specialist or Senior Communications Specialist to support strategic communications for Hazen clients. The role involves developing and implementing tailored communication plans, stakeholder engagement processes, and providing communication counsel.

Key Responsibilities/What You’ll Do

• Develop and implement strategic communication plans and processes tailored to client needs
• Engage with client representatives to understand their needs and issues
• Collaborate with Hazen technical teams to understand complex engineering and utility management issues
• Provide communication advice and best practices to clients
• Translate complex technical and regulatory information into clear, accurate, audience-appropriate messages
• Work with Hazen communication team members to share expertise and insights
• Attend community meetings, client discussions, and other gatherings as needed

Desired Skills & Capabilities

• Strategic thinking and experience in developing and executing strategic communication efforts
• Ability to produce high-quality content and supporting visual materials
• Experience with client coordination and public engagement activities
• Ability to serve as a trusted advisor to clients on communication strategies and outreach
• Strategic thinking skills and experience in managing communications tasks or small projects independently

Required Qualifications/What We’re Looking For

• 5–8 years of professional experience in communications, public outreach, public affairs, community engagement, or stakeholder engagement
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communication efforts tailored to key audiences and issues
• Strong writing, editing, and message development skills
• Comfort engaging directly with clients, public agencies, and diverse stakeholders
• Proven strategic thinking skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working for a water or wastewater agency, or in a consulting agency working with water and wastewater agencies
• Experience supporting infrastructure, environmental, public health, or water related projects
• Familiarity with risk or crisis communications principles
• Experience planning or supporting public meetings and community engagement activities (in person and virtual)
• Experience collaborating with designers, videographers, or web developers to produce outreach materials