Public Affairs and Community Engagement Specialist

The UFSWQD seeks a collaborative communicator and project manager to join our multi-faceted Public Affairs Department. The Public Affairs and Community Engagement Specialist will work closely with the Senior Public Affairs and Community Engagement Specialist to support the community, interested and affected parties, and government relations. The position will report to the Director of Planning and Public Affairs. 

Are you organized, proactive, a flexible communicator, and a strong project manager with a drive for public service? The Public Affairs and Community Engagement Specialist will support the District’s communications, education, outreach, and engagement strategies by coordinating work in community and government relations. This includes project management—establishing and managing timelines, budgets, communications, agreements, and relationships with interested and affected parties, and partner agencies; and education and outreach—developing and executing informational and educational plans to communicate district and multi-agency initiatives to the public, various affected and interested parties, the media, board members, and employees for our region’s lifesaving flood safety system. 

• Communications
  • Supports the Senior Public Affairs and Community Engagement Specialist in executing the UFSWQD’s strategic communications initiatives.
  • Coordinates the UFSWQD communications calendar, identifying needs related to specific projects and initiatives, planning ongoing educational and awareness building efforts, supporting internal communications, and coordinating content development and review with staff and contractors.
  • Organizes the UFSWQD digital presence, including but not limited to website and social media management, email communications, and managing communications agreements and contracts.
  • Responsible for developing, formatting and publishing content on websites and social media platforms; fielding and addressing staff inquiries and requests for web content; orchestrating email communications through MailChimp; planning and executing digital advertising and other forms of online promotion for relevant projects and activities; and ensuring the timely publication of board minutes, adopted budgets and resolutions, and other public documents. Manages development and distribution of various reports, invitations, and other collateral as needed including drafting content and coordinating graphic design, printing, mailing or other means of distribution.
  • Crafts press releases, prepares talking points, and handles media inquiries as assigned.
  • Serves as one of the district’s Public Information Officers or other assigned positions during high water events or other emergency incidents that require activation of the Incident Command Structure (ICS).
  • Coordinates internal staff communication, including monthly staff newsletter.
• Community Relations
  • Addresses inquiries from landowners, interested and affected parties, and community members as assigned, and capacity allows.
  • Works collaboratively with partner organizations to leverage opportunities to provide education and build flood awareness and coordinating sponsorships and related involvement in community events.
  • Schedules and organizes our annual flood risk education and awareness. This includes working with the Senior Public Affairs and Community Engagement Specialist to develop key messages and activities; determining presence at community events; coordinating staff and partner support to fill shifts; developing talking points and training colleagues and partners; preparing materials; and setting up and breaking down equipment at events.
  • Supports project managers in developing and implementing communications and community engagement strategies for both non-capital and projects to ensure consistency in the district’s public messaging.  Among other responsibilities, this work will involve gauging various affected and interested parties’ priorities and advising colleagues on the implications of various potential policies, project plans, and practices.
  • Performs community outreach and manages contractors’ outreach ahead of District maintenance tasks. This includes activities such as outreach to neighborhoods, partner agencies, and property owners ahead of levee mowing, herbicide applications, houseless camp removals, and other activities that may affect the public. The result of this outreach will position the district to be more successful in its forthcoming activities knowing how its partner agencies will support this work, and the issues related to business disruption, noise issues, and other community impacts.
  • Organizes community engagement activities to support specific programs, projects, and initiatives. This includes, but is not limited to collaborating with colleagues, partners, and contractors to design the program; planning logistics; recruiting and coordinating speakers; executing event promotions; organizing childcare, catering, communications aids, and other vendors as needed; developing materials, presentations, and talking points; and conducting set up and break down.
  • Develops and maintains positive working relationships with internal and external collaborators in support of district initiatives.
  • Schedules, coordinates, and provides presentations to community groups to build flood awareness and engagement in various decisions and activities of the District.
• Government Relations
  • Supports District advocacy on a variety of federal, state, and local policy and funding issues, including but not limited to, drafting letters, scheduling meetings, coordinating letters of support, supporting UFSWQD Board communications, representing the UFSWQD at community events, preparing presentations, testimony, and other materials.

It is the duty of all employees to:

• Perform other duties as assigned;
• Strive to achieve the Mission, Vision, and Values of the organization;
• Perform the duties assigned during an emergency;
• Complete required Incident Command System training within 90 days of hire;
• Remain within a 10-hour response time during the District’s Partial Emergency Activation or as specified by the Executive Director;
• Work well with community and be a strong ambassador for UFSWQD; 
• Exemplify the workplace safety culture.
• Create a culture that promotes respect, inclusion, and equity for the diversity of people in our workforce and community.

Knowledge and understanding of:

• Marketing, communications, public policy, and community education methods and practices
• Budgeting practices and principles
• The spectrum of public participation and methodologies

• Project management best practices

• Be proficient in standard business software, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Communicate effectively by written, spoken, and electronic means.
• Manage time, organize workload, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and independently prioritize work. 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training or experience to gain expertise that supports the essential duties and responsibilities, AND
• 2-5 years directly related experience; OR
• Any combination of relevant training and experience may be accepted at the discretion of the hiring supervisor.

Working Environment: General office environment, sitting, occasional lifting. This position is not considered safety sensitive. However, there are projects that may require time in the field. Employees will be required to utilize appropriate PPE during their time in the field. This position will be a hybrid of remote and office work – exact schedule to be determined. The Public Affairs department staff are currently working a largely remote schedule with occasional time in the office. UFSWQD reserves the right to change the remote work policy Hours may vary but should fall between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm. Some evening or weekend shifts may be required. Travel: This position may include occasional required or optional travel outside of the workplace; the employee’s personal vehicle, UFSWQD's district vehicles, local transit or other means of transportation may be used. Use of a personal vehicle or an UFSWQD district vehicle will require a valid driver's license.

Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities. Please contact Tracy Olmedo at (503) 281-5675 or tolmedo@urbanfloodsafetyor.gov for any questions on accessibility or accommodation during the hiring process.