Communications Specialist (Ventura Water)

Responsibilities

• Developing, coordinating, and implementing communications, public relations, marketing, and community outreach initiatives to promote Ventura Water programs, services, projects, and customer support efforts.
• Creating engaging and informative content for various communication channels, including social media, websites, newsletters, press releases, presentations, public service announcements, advertising campaigns, and educational materials.
• Supporting Ventura Water customer assistance programs by conducting outreach, assisting customers with program enrollment, monitoring customer-facing communication portals, and coordinating timely responses to customer inquiries, concerns, and complaints.
• Leading and coordinating the Ventura Water Outreach Task Force, including scheduling meetings and outreach activities, recruiting and training participating staff, developing consistent messaging, and overseeing event logistics.
• Planning and coordinating community outreach activities, public meetings, educational workshops, facility tours, ribbon-cutting and groundbreaking ceremonies, community academies, and other special events to strengthen public awareness and engagement.
• Developing public communications, notices, and educational materials related to water and wastewater rate studies and adjustments, Proposition 218 noticing requirements, and water conservation regulations, ensuring information is clear, accurate, and accessible to the community.
• Coordinating communications, branding, and community outreach efforts for VenturaWaterPure, water and wastewater infrastructure improvements, capital improvement projects, and other major Ventura Water initiatives.
• Collaborating with the City's Communications Division, Ventura Water staff, City staff, and external stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging. Coordinating internal communications and presentations, and communicating critical information during planned service interruptions, water outages, and emergencies.
• Preparing and distributing media releases, feature articles, public service announcements, and promotional materials, coordinating media coverage, advertising placements, and public relations activities to increase awareness of Ventura Water's services and initiatives.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of communications and community outreach campaigns, analyzing customer feedback and engagement data, and identifying opportunities to strengthen public education, customer experience, and community relations.

Requirements

• A combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or a related field, and two years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, media, fundraising, public relations or communications, including some supervision and coordination of major functions is required.
• License : Depending on assignment, possession of a valid California Class C driver's license may be required.

Preferred

• Demonstrated experience in public relations, strategic communications, and community engagement.
• Experience providing one-on-one customer assistance, explaining programs and services, and responding to customer questions with clarity and professionalism
• A creative and collaborative approach to developing effective communication strategies and compelling content.
• Exceptional writing and interpersonal skills, including the ability to translate complex technical information into clear, accessible messages for diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and resourcefulness, with experience managing multiple projects and coordinating public outreach initiatives.
• The ability to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• A commitment to public service, environmental stewardship, and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
• Professional experience or knowledge of the water, wastewater, or public utilities industry, is highly desirable

Benefits

• Competitive pay and benefits
• Strong support for professional development
• Vacation & Holiday Compensation
• Deferred Compensation
• CalPERS Retirement
• Tuition Reimbursement & Bilingual Pay