Communications and Outreach Specialist

City of Alexandria VA Sanitation Authority; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Alexandria VA Sanitation Authority is seeking a dynamic Communications & Outreach Specialist to enhance their digital presence and engage with the community. The ideal candidate will manage social media content, maintain the website, and create promotional materials, supporting the authority's commitment to sustainability and community engagement with a focus on impactful storytelling and outreach.

Qualifications

• 3 years experience in digital communications or social media management is preferred.
• Experience in photography or videography for events is desirable.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards and inclusive practices is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Manage digital content for website and social media platforms.
• Support event planning and execution for community engagement.
• Develop promotional materials for outreach activities.

Skills

Communication

Digital Communications

Social Media Management

Content Creation

Event Planning

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations

Tools

WordPress

Canva

Adobe Creative Suite

Mailchimp

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

About Us

AlexRenew is one of the most advanced wastewater utilities in the United States, serving over 300,000 customers in Alexandria, VA, and parts of Fairfax County. Each year, our facility processes and treats approximately 13 billion gallons of wastewater received from area homes, schools, and businesses to protect public health and the environment. If you are interested in working for a leader in the wastewater industry, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Communications & Outreach Specialist position.

What we do and how we do it is driven by our five Goals:

• Operational Excellence: Taking proactive steps to meet current and future challenges.
• Thriving Workforce: Investing in our staff and fostering a culture of belonging.
• Strategic Partnerships: Promoting watershed-level thinking.
• Environmental Sustainability: Being good stewards of our resources to minimize our impact.
• Commitment to the Community: Strengthening connections with the public and providing affordable service.

We are seeking a dynamic and creative Communications & Outreach Specialist with a strong focus on digital communications to join our team. Under the direction of the Communications and Outreach Manager, this role will be responsible for managing and enhancing our digital presence through website management, engaging social media content creation, and support for virtual and in-person events. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with excellent writing skills, a keen eye for design, and a passion for utilizing a variety of platforms to tell compelling stories and engage diverse audiences.

**Essential Duties & Responsibilities: **

Content Development

• Develop, write, and edit engaging content for digital platforms including website, social media, e-newsletters, and blog posts.
• Manage day-to-day website content updates and assist with UX improvements in collaboration with web developers.
• Design and schedule social media campaigns across various platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook, Nextdoor) to increase visibility and audience engagement.
• Monitor analytics and trends to optimize digital content strategy and performance.
• Ensure all communications align with brand voice, tone, and messaging.

Website Management

• Maintain and update the organization’s website using CMS platforms such as WordPress or Drupal.
• Collaborate with IT or external vendors on technical updates, troubleshooting, and enhancements.
• Ensure all web content is current, accessible, and aligned with brand and messaging guidelines.

Outreach Support

• Support planning, promotion, and execution of digital and in-person events, including team meetings and community outreach events.
• Create promotional materials, including flyers, calendar of events, webpages, email invitations, and social media assets.
• Assist with live coverage of events (e.g., live tweeting, Instagram Stories, photography).
• Interact with customers and community members as a representative of the organization at events across our service area (e.g. tabling, presentations, demonstrations, tours)
• Support the Communications & Outreach Manager with internal and external event planning/logistics.

Collaboration :

• Work across departments to ensure cohesive messaging and campaign execution.
• Coordinate across departments and/or with external stakeholders, agencies, or freelancers as needed.
• Position requires flexible hours as needed.
• Other duties as required.

Qualification Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the experience, education, knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Key Competencies:

• Accountability
• Communication
• Dependability
• Decision Making
• Initiative
• Safety Awareness
• Teamwork

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or related field; or combination of education and experience preferred.
• Three (3) years experience in digital communications, social media management or related role desired.
• Familiarity with email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact) preferred.
• Experience with photography or videography for event and social media content preferred.
• Understanding of accessibility standards and inclusive communication practices preferred.
• Basic knowledge of data visualization or infographic creation preferred.
• Proficiency with website CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress, Drupal) and basic HTML/CSS knowledge.
• Strong understanding of social media platforms, tools, and analytics (e.g., Sprout Social, HootSuite).
• Experience with graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) and video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere, Final Cut) preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for a variety of platforms and audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Knowledge of digital advertising and email marketing best practices.
• Experience supporting events, including logistics, promotion, and content creation.
• Proficiency in computer software programs, including Microsoft Office Suite, Photoshop, Adobe Creative Suite, preferred.
• Passion for the water/wastewater industry and alignment with AlexRenew’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Experience in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment and “can-do” attitude.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. A detailed Physical Demands Analysis is available in Human Resources and a copy will be provided to all incumbents in this position. The duties of this job are typical of office work, and include lifting up to 20 pounds, and minimal pushing or pulling.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Environmental conditions necessitate following strict safety guidelines and use of Personal Protective Equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee performs work indoors in a climate controlled environment, with outdoor trips between buildings.

Disclaimer:

The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.