Job Description Are you a creative storyteller with a knack for elevating brand awareness and communication strategies? Santa Margarita Water District seeks a dynamic Public Relations Manager to drive our narrative, foster community connections, and spearhead our communication initiatives. In this hybrid role, you'll craft innovative campaigns across print and digital platforms, shaping our public image and enhancing community engagement. If you're passionate about making a tangible impact and creating compelling narratives, we want to hear from you! Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed by individual positions. JOB SUMMARY Under general supervision this position will manage the District's brand across all digital and print channels, community events, and local government and industry affairs. The Government Affairs and Public Information Analyst will write content for the website, reports, newsletters, presentations, and other media. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This position typically reports to the Director, Communications & Customer Engagement or their designee and is responsible for coordinating and integrating District-wide public relations initiatives designed to maintain and enhance the image of SMWD. A strong background in writing and digital communications principles, strategies, and tactics is essential. Additionally, experience in developing key performance indicators and using data to drive decision-making is important to the success of this position. Essential Functions ESSENTIAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class. * Public & Government Affairs: Participate in establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with civic groups, community associations, homeowner associations, and other groups as needed. * Branding & Outreach: Manage the District brand across all departments and ensure print and digital materials adhere to the SMWD Style Guide standards and key messages. Manage customer outreach and public affairs communications, campaigns and events using various media and collaborating with staff, consultants, and vendors. * Content Development & Distribution: Serve as a content creator and editor for external outreach materials such as the On Tap Newsletter, website, social media, community newsletters, presentations, reports, and other outreach collateral as needed. Collaborate with producers of targeted websites, newsletters, and other publications in the community and in the water industry to maximize the reach and effectiveness of District information content. Assist and coordinate with leadership and departments to develop key reports like the annual fiscal year accomplishments report, water quality report, financial reports, and other materials requiring writing, graphics, photography, and video. * Message Development & Implementation: Coordinate market research, surveys and contracts for focus groups and quantitative studies to help determine message strategies and to target optimal audiences. Look for opportunities to reach new audiences. Coordinate external outreach programs, including outreach efforts for Customer Service, Engineering, Water Operations, Water Efficiency, Finance, Information Services, and other District programs and projects. * Community Outreach Events: Assist with events as needed. Research and recommend opportunities for events and community partnerships. Develop marketing materials and manage advertisements. Publicize and promote District events such as tours, classes, workshops, special presentations, and other events, as required. * Social Engagement: Mange the District's social media strategy to maximize reach and engage communities across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Nextdoor, and other emerging channels, including platforms that will expand the District's reach among diverse communities. Gather creative content from District departments and other stakeholders. Create and maintain a social media content calendar. Connect social media efforts to an overall digital strategy and customer outreach programs. * Website Administration: Serve as webmaster; bring creativity, timeliness, attention to detail, and passion for excellence to SMWD's websites. Partner with internal and external content managers, writers, editors, designers, and developers to ensure SMWD's website meets District and customer needs and aligns with outreach and customer engagement strategy. Manage multiple projects and maintain schedules and budgets. * Lead or assist with outreach to students and schools. Serve as a department representative on inter-departmental teams. Coordinate with graphic design specialists. * Participate in tours, trips, and other tasks and attend meetings and functions on behalf of the District that may occur outside of the normal workday. * The incumbent may occasionally work early hours, late hours, weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays as required for events, emergencies, and other District needs. * Comply with District safety practices and attend relevant safety training. * Attend regularly scheduled Board of Directors and committee meetings; provide monthly reports on outreach activities. * Perform other related duties as required or assigned by supervisor. Requisite Abilities Ability to: * Manage public communications, outreach programs, and local governmental affairs. * Effectively communicate verbally, written, and visually with customers, office/field employees, management, and vendors. * Represent the District in a professional manner when dealing with customers, outside contractors and agency officials. * Advise and provide interpretation to others on how to apply policies, procedures, and standards to specific situations. * Establish and maintain positive, cooperative, and effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work. * Use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions. * Exercise independent judgment when making decisions involving specific job functions, shutdowns and most efficient utilization of staff and equipment in absence of Supervisor. * Practice safe work methods in the course of work. Knowledge of: * Knowledge of industry trends and media practices as they apply to developing and carrying out public information/public relations programs, advertising and marketing tactics, methods, and techniques for creating effective media and public relations materials. * Knowledge in utilizing Google Analytics, Facebook Ad Manager, Google AdWords and related digital marketing platforms. * Knowledge in using public relations/marketing/outreach software like Constant Contact, Canva, and others. * Strong computer skills, including desktop publishing, word processing, website management, social media platforms, etc. * Ability to generate interest and convey messages through the development of graphic design treatments, persuasive speeches, and written materials. * Ability to exercise sound independent judgment and political acumen within general policy guidelines. Qualifications Guidelines QUALIFICATIONS Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Education, Training and Experience: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in public relations, journalism, communications, marketing, digital marketing, or a related field; and a minimum of five years of experience in public relations, outreach, journalism, or communication roles is required. Water-industry experience and experience engaging with social media and public relations principles are highly desired. Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements: Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid California Class C driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District's vehicle insurance program. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Demands Position requires the ability to communicate in a professional manner with District management, coworkers, the public, inter-agency, and elected officials through verbal and written communication in face-to-face, one-on-one, and group settings. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; may occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; must have the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds. Requires vision to read printed materials and computer screens; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; and finger dexterity to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, copy machine, telephone, and other standard office equipment. Position requires ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel to conduct District business. Mental Demands While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses a math; learns and applies new information and skills; responds to emergency situations; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public. WORK ENVIRONMENT The employee typically works in an office environment and maybe required to work flexible hours including at night, on weekends, and holidays as needed.