Public Information Representative II

Valley Water

Salary: $118,331.20 - $151,444.80 Annually

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 01846-E

Location: CA, CA

Department: External Affairs

Closing: 1/5/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

Valley Water is searching for top-tier candidates to fill this exciting opportunity. Internal candidates will get first consideration.

Overview:
Are you a communications professional with a passion to engage with community members and share relevant information about upcoming public projects/programs? Are you an accomplished project manager with a successful track record of public events coordination and community outreach? If so, check out our Public Information Representative (PIR) II in Community Outreach opportunity.

The PIR II position within the Office of Communications will perform a wide range of support functions as a journey-level communications professional skilled in community engagement, facilitating public events and project management. The PIR II will be able to support community outreach efforts pertaining to Valley Water's messaging on priority projects, including coordination of event logistics. They will draft speaking points, construction/project updates and reports on public engagement activities.

Under supervision, as a community outreach project manager, this person will drive visual/graphic support efforts ranging from project webpage updates, mapping systems and outreach materials. The PIR II assists with the work of the Community Outreach team, engages in oversight of Valley Water public events and provides information for Valley Water executives and board members. When assigned, the PIR II will also provide support to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during disasters/emergencies; which could include work at unidentified offsite locations throughout the region and the ability to easily pivot and be redirected to other assigned areas.

In addition to a routine work schedule, this position can involve night and weekend work. Specifically, this position will participate in project management efforts, public outreach and community engagement events/activities, which may include after-hour commitments at offsite events that require frequent travel to multiple locations. The position requires an ability to transport outreach materials/tools to different locations, shuttle event attendees on an as-needed basis and a willingness to make frequent trips to identified project sites for pre-event planning and post event efforts.

Our ideal candidate is a dynamic communicator knowledgeable in community outreach engagement work/project management and capable of representing Valley Water among the public and other external stakeholders.

Our Commitment:
Racial equity, diversity and inclusion are integral to Valley Water. We are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment for all. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity, contributes to inclusion, and strengthens belonging by broadening our perspective and collective understanding of the world around us to accomplish our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections and environmental stewardship.

About Valley Water:
Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million, and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San Jose, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Strategic and customized outreach and communication planning with communities, partner agencies/businesses and stakeholder groups on complex and controversial topics.
Coordination with internal partners and peers on community outreach, public participation, stakeholder engagement and collaboration.
Event coordination and planning.
Coordinate and drive public event material creation and work with Graphic Services and other business units to inform of upcoming outreach efforts.

Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:
Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.

Ideal Experience:

Three (3) years or more of experience in community engagement, stakeholder outreach, and/or public information.
Experience supporting public information or outreach activities including:
1. Strategic and customized outreach and communication with communities, partner agencies/businesses and stakeholder groups on complex and controversial topics.
2. Collaboration with internal partners and peers on community outreach, public participation, stakeholder engagement and partnerships.
3. Overseeing event coordination and planning.
4. Working on public/municipal agency projects with exposure to capital projects.

Ideal Skills and Abilities:

Contribute to a variety of internal interdisciplinary teams to dissect, evaluate and develop outreach and community relations strategies.
Communicate clearly, persuasively, and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Participate in the development and administration of unit goals, objectives and procedures.
Develop and lead a variety of public participation and stakeholder engagement activities, in-person or virtually, on behalf of Valley Water; develop supporting materials.
Plan and strategize in a collaborative setting.
Demonstrate a high level of knowledge, judgment and professionalism in representing Valley Water both internally and externally and using that to enhance the Office of Communications.
Develop and maintain contacts with various stakeholder groups.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including all levels of internal and external individuals.
Take highly technical information and convert it into communication that is easy to understand for the community.
Juggle competing priorities, stay organized and complete tasks on time.
Exercise good judgment and demonstrate outstanding project management skills.
Self-directed but excellent team player.

Ideal Knowledge:

Principles, techniques and methods of public information and community relations.
English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Ideal Training and Education:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in communications, journalism, editing, public relations, political science, public affairs, education, project management, or a related field.

Required License or Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

To review the Classification Specification, please click here (Download PDF reader)

Office of Communications unit (Position Code 578)

Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite, after completion of the probationary period (one year).

Selection Process

(1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.
(2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.

NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.
Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.
Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.

Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.

Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.

To apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/scvwd/jobs/4757284/public-information-representative-ii

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