Under general supervision, plans, organizes and supervises a variety of professional duties related to the development, and implementation of the District’s public affairs programs and activities; provides direction on strategic internal and external communications, public information, and customer and community relations activities; works with neighborhood communities, businesses, and civic leaders to assure their understanding of District policies and operations; prepares and reviews informational materials for dissemination through a variety of communications media, public meetings, and events; develops media relations outreach programs for all of the District’s primary functional areas; and performs other related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from the Public Affairs/Conservation Manager. Exercises direct supervision of the Public Affairs staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a supervisory-level class that oversees day-to-day operations and participates in all activities related to the District’s Public Affairs. Incumbents in this class exercise perform independent judgment and initiative in the administrative coordination, scheduling, and planning of internal and external communications, public information, and customer and community relations activities. This class is distinguished from other administrative classifications in that it requires specialized knowledge of public relations programs and related activities, and requires extensive public contact, sensitivity, and diplomacy.

Examples of Duties / Knowledge & Skills

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
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.

• Supervise a variety of public outreach and community relations activities, events, and public awareness programs for the dissemination of information regarding District goals, long-term programs, operations, policies, and procedures to internal and external personal contacts with local government representatives, community organizations, and various communications media outlets.
• Supervise the community relations events; direct internal and external communications and publications in line with the District’s strategic plan and Public Affairs program plan; distribute information and communications through a variety of outlets including, traditional media, online media and social media platforms.
• Plan the District publications and coordinate the required graphic content, copy and design; direct the compilation of information and images through research; align work products with District’s communication priorities.
• Develop and maintain contacts with various community groups, organizations, business leaders, media, and government representatives; foster and promote positive relations with the general public, employees, schools, and local government.
• Receives inquiries and provides information to the public regarding a wide variety of topics and successfully communicates with a variety of news media.
• Supervise the District’s digital communication approach, website and content; supervise the strategic direction of the website in coordination with designers and technical staff; supervise the preparation of a social media engagement approach and tactics to grow followings.
• Prepares news releases and responds to media inquiries; may serve as spokesperson with media and designated member agencies.
• Monitors legislation affecting the District’s programs, projects, and activities.
• Assist in the preparation and administration of specific program areas of the public affairs budget; submit program budget recommendations; forecast additional funds needed for equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Serve as a representative for the District giving speeches and presentations to schools, clubs, and various civic and service organizations.
• Prepare and maintain assigned elements of the District’s Crisis Communications; assists in coordinating the public communication during a crisis event and practice events with District departments, local and state government agencies, and other community groups.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum qualifications & Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Principles, techniques, and methods of public information, outreach, and community relations.
• Practices of researching program issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to public relations.
• Advertising and public relations industry practices and trends.
• Procedures utilized in preparing information for dissemination through various media.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and techniques for providing a high level of community service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.

Ability to:

• Supervise, select, train, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff.
• Plan, organize, administer, coordinate, review, evaluate, and personally participate in comprehensive public agency public affairs functions.
• Monitor and make recommendations for modifications to existing communication procedures; assist in implementation of communications procedures.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, technical written material, and District policies and procedures.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Use independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.

Supplemental information

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or a related field, and five (5) years of increasingly responsible, professional level experience in public relations, public information, community relations, or outreach activities with two (2) years of lead or supervisory experience in this or a closely related field.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California class C driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.

Physical Demands
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various District and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups and over the telephone.  This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.   Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Elements
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

East Valley Water District (EVWD) is a world class organization, with a focus not only on providing safe and reliable drinking water but enhancing and preserving the quality of life for the community. The District provides water and wastewater services to residents within a 30.1 square mile area. This includes over 103,000 people within the cities of Highland and San Bernardino, portions of the unincorporated County of San Bernardino, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and Patton State Hospital.