Public Affairs Communications Specialist

Public Affairs Communications Specialist

Public Affairs Communications Specialist

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Position Summary

The job posting may close when a sufficient number of applications

have been received.

Do not delay in submitting your application.

The hiring rate for this position is between $47.57 - $52.33 per hour.

Under direction, the Public Affairs Communications Specialist supports communication programs, activities, and operations within the Public Affairs Department. This role focuses on community outreach, marketing, public relations, media relations, and internal / external communications. Responsibilities include creating content such as social media posts, campaign materials, and media kits; assisting with strategic programs and partnerships to engage target audiences and promote the District’s mission, services, and priorities; representing the District at events; and collaborating with team members and external partners to support departmental efforts.

Essential Functions

Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

The duties below illustrate the types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them if they are related to or logically assigned to the role.

Communications : Program Support & Content Creation

Assists in implementing programs and partnerships to expand the District’s reach and support its priorities, initiatives, and services. Writes and edits press releases, news articles, social media posts, and other content for traditional and digital platforms (e.g., radio, newspapers, blogs, newsletters). Supports the planning and execution of public events, forums, conferences, and District activities, working with team members and contractors to produce promotional materials. Creates and updates District-branded assets, communication tools, and platforms to maintain consistency and enhance marketing / outreach efforts. Contributes to special projects, ensuring alignment with the District’s mission and priorities.

Communications : Partnerships & Outreach

Prepares materials such as briefing papers, information packets, and presentations for internal and external use; supports external communication efforts across traditional, digital, and social media platforms. Engages with stakeholders, including government, community, and nonprofit groups, as directed. Build positive working relationships with District employees, member agencies, and the public, providing responsive customer service. Designs marketing materials (e.g., brochures, flyers, infographics, logos, presentations, webpage layouts) for outreach and education programs; proofreads and edits content as needed. Assists with Public Affairs Workgroup meetings with member agencies, preparing materials and delivering presentations when requested. Supports the preparation of departmental reports and program updates as assigned. Creates and delivers presentations to various audiences, engaging participants to convey key messages. Participates in emergency response planning, exercises, and events as directed. Acts as a point of contact for assigned public affairs activities with agencies and stakeholders. Prepares reports and presents at committee or Board meetings when requested. Performs additional duties and special assignments as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of :

Operations and services of a public affairs program. Principles and practices of communications, event planning, and stakeholder engagement. Writing, editing, and presentation techniques for diverse audiences. Marketing, advertising, public relations, branding, and social media strategies. Graphic design, layout, and print production methods. Website and social media management and platforms. Office software (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, databases).

Ability to :

Support communication programs and contribute to outreach efforts. Create and implement communication materials and marketing content. Evaluate program activities and suggest improvements as directed. Design effective graphics and layouts for public information initiatives. Assist with regional meetings / events and deliver clear presentations. Exercise sound judgment in assigned tasks and responsibilities. Provide excellent customer service to diverse audiences and stakeholders. Analyze problems and propose solutions within the position’s role and responsibilities. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Build cooperative relationships with colleagues, agencies, and the public.

Supplemental Information

Education And Experience

Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in in public relations, communications, marketing, or a closely related field is desirable and four years experience in public affairs, communications, or community outreach.

The qualification guidelines generally describe the knowledge and abilities required to enter the job to successfully perform the assigned duties. Any combination of education, experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered. Public sector experience is preferred.

Other Requirements

Possess and maintain a valid California driver’s license and automobile insurance under the terms of the District’s Vehicle Insurance Policy, as this position requires driving.

According to CA state law, all district employees are disaster service workers and are expected to participate in emergency response initiatives. This could include contributing to the emergency planning process, participating in disaster exercises and training, and potentially responding to support actual emergency events.

Working Conditions and Physical Activities

Environment :

Standard office setting. May be required to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends; may be required to travel to attend meetings via car, bus, train, or air transportation.

Physical :

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting; stand or sit for prolonged periods; operate standard office equipment including the use of a computer and keyboard, telephone, FAX machine, printers, calculators, copiers; push, pull, lift, and / or carry approximately 25 pounds; and communicate to exchange information.

Vision :

See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing :

Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

The specific statements in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical e

lements and criteria necessary to perform the job successfully.

Employee Benefits

The Municipal Water District of Orange County offers the following comprehensive benefits package to all full-time employees. Please refer to the District’s Personnel Manual for complete details on eligibility and enrollment dates for health benefits, insurance, policy requirements and restrictions.

Medical

Insurance

Several competitive medical insurance plans are currently offered, as listed, and employees are required to contribute a portion toward their monthly medical insurance premiums. The District currently pays 100% of the lowest cost plan for employee only. The employee may elect to “buy up” to another plan and pay the difference.

Anthem Blue Cross PPO

Anthem Blue Cross HMO

Kaiser

Consumer Driven Health Plan (PPO)

Consumer Driven Health Plan (Kaiser)

Dental

Insurance

The District currently offers the Delta Dental (PPO) plan. Enrolled employees are required to contribute a portion toward their monthly dental insurance premiums.

Vision

Insurance

The District currently offers Vision Service Plan (VSP) for eye exams, frames, lenses and / or contact lenses. Benefits are paid according to a scheduled allowances through VSP. The District currently pays 100% of the monthly insurance premium for employees and dependents.

Medical, dental and vision benefits go into effect on the 1st day of the month following 30 days of continuous employment with the District.

Life

Insurance

The District currently provides a Life / ADD (accidental death and dismemberment) benefit of two times annual salary to a maximum of $300,000 (see policy for exceptions, terms and exclusions) and the premium is currently paid by the District. Enrollment eligibility is 1st of the month following 30 days of continuous employment with the District. Supplemental coverage is available at employee's expense.

Disability

Insurance

Short-term Disability

State Disability Insurance (SDI)

is deducted (withheld) from employees' wages. SDI provides temporary payments to workers who are unable to perform their usual work because of pregnancy or a non-occupational illness or injury (work-related illness or injuries are covered by workers' compensation insurance).

SDI also includes Paid Family Leave (PFL), which provides benefits to eligible workers when they take time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. A qualifying family member is a child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or registered domestic partner.

Long-term Disability Insurance.

This insurance serves as partial income replacement should an employee become seriously injured or disabled and unable to work due to a non-work related injury or illness. The insurance becomes available after a waiting period of 90 days and provides 66.67% of an employee’s salary up to a maximum monthly benefit of $10,000. (See policy for exceptions, terms and exclusions). The District currently pays for this benefit.

Vacation Time

Vacation Accrual Varies Upon Years Of Services, As Follows

Years of Service

Hours Annually (approx)

Beginning with 1st year 80.00

Beginning with 4th year 120.00

Beginning with 11th year 136.00

Beginning with 15th year 160.00

Beginning with 20th year 168.00

Holidays

The District offers 12 annual paid holidays, including one floating holiday, designated by the employee.

Sick Time

Regular eligible full-time employees are eligible for sick time following completion of 30 days of continuous employment. Sick time accrues at 12 days per year with a maximum accrual of 488 hours.

Jury or Witness Duty Leave

Regular eligible full-time employees required to serve as jurors are granted jury duty leave with pay, less any fees paid to them by the court, except mileage up to a maximum period of thirty (30) working days. Employees serving on a jury exceeding the thirty (30) day period shall do so without pay. This benefit is effective immediately upon employment.

Bereavement Leave

Up to 5 days is available when death of an immediate family member occurs. This benefit is effective upon hire.

Serious Family Illness Leave

Up to 4 days are available, per fiscal year, to attend the operation of an immediate family member, the serious illness, or injury of an immediate family member, where death of an immediate family member appears imminent, or birth of an employee's child. This benefit is available following completion of 30 days of service.

Pension Plan

The District participates in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Per the Public Employees' Pension Reform act of 2012 (PEPRA), "classic members" currently employed in a reciprocal public agency are enrolled in a 2% at 55 CalPERS pension plan with a 7% required employee contribution. "New members", either new to the public sector, or whose date of separation was more than 6 months before the start date with the District, are enrolled in a 2% at 62 CalPERS pension plan with a required employee contribution which is subject to change in accordance with PERS guidelines. Qualifying employees are eligible immediately upon hire by the District.

Deferred Compensation

457 Plan

The Deferred Compensation Program is a voluntary, non-qualified deferred compensation plan and is available to any eligible employee who elects, pursuant to the Plan, to defer a portion of their compensation based on the maximum allowable annual contribution and meets participation requirements. Participation is available upon hire.

Flexible Benefits Spending Plan

A Flexible Benefits Spending Plan provides employees a means of paying unreimbursed medical, dental, and dependent care costs with pre-tax dollars, and allows for employee contributions for District group health insurance premiums to be deducted on a pre-tax basis.

Health Saving Account (HSA)

The District offers two high-deductible health insurance plans. Eligible employees who participate in one of these plans receive an annual contribution from the District to a health savings plan. Contribution amounts are determined annually by the Board of Directors.

Medicare Contribution

Employees hired after April 1, 1986, are required to contribute to the Medicare portion of the Social Security program and those employees shall contribute 1.45% of their salary; with the District matching the fund by contributing 1.45% of the employee's salary.

Social Security

The District and the Employee may participate in Social Security, if the employee does not meet the eligibility requirements for enrollment in the District’s 401a plan or CalPERS.

Career Development / Tuition Reimbursement

The District offers a tuition reimbursement program designed to provide financial assistance to all full-time employees who wish to continue their formal education and assist employees in obtaining skills and / or knowledge to become better qualified for their current work classification or for advancement at the District.

Computer Purchase Program

Loans from (up to $2,000) are available for full-time employees to purchase or upgrade a personal computer. Loans are interest-free and repaid over a one-year period through payroll deductions. This benefit becomes available following one year of service.

Cell phone Reimbursement

Employees may apply for cell phone reimbursement, in accordance with existing policy.

Catastrophic Leave Program

Allows employees who have accrued vacation or sick leave credits, to have the option to voluntarily donate hours to another full time employee who has exhausted his / her sick, vacation, and compensatory time leaves due to a non-work related catastrophic illness or injury.

Miscellaneous

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available and offers a confidential, consultative resource for personal or work-related concerns for yourself or your family. This benefit is available to full-time employees.

The District also offers workplace flexibility, voluntary supplemental insurance plans and a wellness program.

Please reach out to Human Resources for additional information and / or full program details. Seniority level

Seniority level Entry level Employment type

Employment type Full-time Job function

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