Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary strategic communications advisor to the CEO/General Manager and Executive Leadership Team, providing counsel on organizational messaging, positioning, communication strategy, emerging issues, and public response.
• Develop and lead ERWSD’s communications strategy, ensuring communication supports the District’s strategic priorities and maintains a consistent organizational voice, tone, message, and brand.
• Serve as a lead writer and editor for executive and high-visibility communications, including CEO/GM messaging, Board communications, talking points, presentations, public statements, press releases, newsletters, reports, web content, social media, and other strategic materials.
• Anticipate communication needs and proactively advise executive leadership on how significant organizational decisions, projects, financial matters, operational changes, and emerging issues should be communicated internally and externally.
• Translate complex technical, operational, financial, regulatory, and policy information into clear, accessible, audience-focused communications without losing accuracy or context.
• Support the development, administration, and execution of the District’s grant program, including identifying funding opportunities, coordinating applications, tracking requirements and deadlines, supporting grant reporting and compliance, and collaborating with departments to align grant funding with organizational priorities.
• Develop strategic messaging and communication plans for major District initiatives, including water conservation, rates and financial matters, capital projects, service impacts, regulations, organizational initiatives, and other issues affecting customers and the community.
• Lead ERWSD’s digital and social media strategy, including content strategy, storytelling, campaigns, audience engagement, channel management, and performance measurement.
• Serve as ERWSD’s Public Information Officer and primary media spokesperson, managing media inquiries, interviews, press relationships, public information, and crisis communications.
• Lead emergency and crisis communications, including participation in emergency response activities and all-hours communication support when significant incidents occur.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Public Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public relations, journalism, public information, media, or a related field.
• Five or more years of leadership experience, (particularly in diverse teams and leading complex projects that span across mutiple business units and departments within an organization) including at least three years of direct supervisory responsibility.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to establish and adapt voice, tone, style, and complexity for executive, public, digital, media, and community audiences.
• Demonstrated experience advising executives or senior organizational leaders on communications strategy, messaging, sensitive issues, and public-facing decisions.
• Strong strategic judgment and the ability to anticipate communication implications, identify reputational risks and opportunities, and recommend an appropriate communication approach.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical, financial, operational, regulatory, or policy information into understandable and compelling communication.
• Strong experience developing strategic messaging, storytelling, and integrated communication campaigns.
• Proven experience managing social media, digital communications, websites, email communications, and content strategy.
• Proven experience in media relations, crisis communications, and public information.

Preferred

• Experience serving as a strategic communications advisor to the CEO/General Manager, executive team, elected officials, or governing board.
• Experience working in water, wastewater, utilities, local government, special districts, or another public-sector environment.
• Experience supporting governing boards, Board meetings, elected officials, or governmental communication processes.
• Experience with photography, videography, graphic design, website/CMS platforms, and digital content production.
• Experience using communication analytics and engagement data to evaluate and improve communication effectiveness.
• Professional certification or advanced training in public relations, strategic communications, marketing, crisis communication, or public information.

Benefits

• • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• • Employee housing and monthly housing stipend program
• • Wellness program
• • Retirement savings plans (414h and 457) – We are a social security exempt organization
• • 13.5 Paid Holidays
• • Paid Time Off (PTO)
• • Paid Parental Leave
• • $800 Annual Recreation Benefit
• • Tuition Reimbursement
• • Loan programs for: Ski Passes, Electric Vehicles, and Computers