Director of Community Relations & Public Affairs

Orange Water And Sewer Authority (NC); Carrboro (NC); Híbrido; USD 133.000 - 167.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

NC Local Government Employee Pension

5% Employer 457 Deferred Compensation

Retirement Health Savings account

Employer provided life insurance

Employer paid Health, Dental, Vision,

Dependent Life, Long-term Disability

Vacation, Sick, Personal, Bereavement

Twelve Paid Holidays

Educational Reimbursement: Certs/Edu

Cell Phone Stipend

Unused sick leave transferability

Descripción de la vacante

Orange Water And Sewer Authority (NC) in Carrboro, NC seeks a strategic Director of Community Relations to lead communications, customer assistance, and customer service management. The role emphasizes public information, emergency response, and community engagement within a local utility context.

The successful candidate will oversee budgeting, regulatory compliance, and a team of professionals, coordinating with local jurisdictions, UNC, and community partners.

Formación

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, communications, marketing or related field.
• Minimum of seven years’ experience in communications or customer relations with three years of supervisory experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive background in community outreach and driving community engagement initiatives.
• Outstanding communication skills and the ability to lead, mentor, and coach.
• Availability outside regular business hours for emergency communications and evening meetings.
• Service-oriented attitude, professionalism, and a passion to foster a diverse and inclusive work environment are necessary.
• Ability to establish and maintain respectful and harmonious relationships with others both inside and outside the organization.
• Strong understanding of municipal and utility billing operations is preferred.
• Prior experience working with customer affordability strategies and programs is preferred.
• Well-versed in the unique dynamics of the Carrboro/Chapel Hill community is preferred.

Responsabilidades

• Establish the overall communication plan and evaluate the effectiveness of the communications efforts. Coordinate community messaging with local jurisdictions and regional partners to promote clear, consistent, timely, and accessible information on issues of shared interest, including public projects, policies, water supply conditions, emergencies, and other community-wide initiatives. Organize and lead community engagement campaigns related to OWASA policies, capital projects, organizational budget, and other strategic projects and programs.
• Ensure timely, accurate and relevant information is provided to various stakeholders including the Executive Director, OWASA staff, and the OWASA Board; provide reports and coordinate efforts with local municipalities and the University of North Carolina.
• Professionally represent OWASA’s values to the public, decisionmakers, and other community members. Regularly required to attend and present at evening Board and community meetings.
• Serve as Public Information Officer during emergency situations, ensuring timely and accurate information; available to respond outside of business hours. Emergency communications coverage is coordinated within the communications team.
• Responsible for all aspects of billing, collection, and customer service activities; handle customer escalations; assess the overall satisfaction of customers in their interactions with the organization; identify and pursue technological opportunities to improve the customer experience and ensure secure and efficient interactions.
• Oversee all aspects of the organization’s customer assistance program by ensuring fair and equitable distribution of funds to those in need; assess the adequacy of funding versus needs for assistance and pursue additional opportunities; monitor distribution of funds; work with various partners to administer the program; develop promotional materials and activities.
• Build and manage departmental budget and plans; ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, as well as internal policies.
• Support and lead a team of professionals in the following positions: Public Information Officer and Customer Service Manager.
• Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

Conocimientos

Leadership

Communication

Emergency communications

Customer service

Team mentorship

Budgeting

Community outreach

Diversity & inclusion

Relationship building

Educación

Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, communications, marketing or related field

Descripción del empleo

Orange Water And Sewer Authority (NC) in Carrboro, NC seeks a strategic Director of Community Relations to lead communications, customer assistance, and customer service management. The role emphasizes public information, emergency response, and community engagement within a local utility context.

The successful candidate will oversee budgeting, regulatory compliance, and a team of professionals, coordinating with local jurisdictions, UNC, and community partners.