Public Affairs Coordinator

Santa Margarita Water District; Rancho Santa Margarita (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Margarita Water District seeks a creative Public Affairs Coordinator (Limited-Term) to support communications, public relations, and community outreach. This entry-level role develops content, manages website and social media, coordinates outreach programs, and informs customers, employees, stakeholders, and the public about District programs and initiatives.

Under supervision, you will assist with media monitoring, emergency communications support, multimedia projects, and reporting on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public affairs, communications, journalism, marketing, public administration, English, digital media, or a related field.
• 1 year of professional or internship experience in public affairs, communications, marketing, journalism, community outreach, social media management, or related.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid California Class C driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Develop, write, edit, and distribute public information materials such as news releases, newsletters, and website content.
• Coordinate content for the District’s website, social media, and digital channels to ensure accuracy and consistency with branding.
• Plan and promote community outreach programs, public meetings, facility tours, events, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Respond to routine public inquiries and coordinate responses with staff.
• Monitor media coverage and public feedback related to District operations and communication initiatives.
• Assist with photography, videography, and multimedia projects to support outreach objectives.
• Maintain records, content calendars, media lists, archives, and outreach metrics.

Skills

Public affairs

Communications

Community engagement

Content writing

Editing

Social media

Digital publishing

Graphic design

Photography

Videography

Marketing

Branding

Customer service

Research methods

Event coordination

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public affairs/communications

California driver’s license

Tools

Website CMS

Graphic design software

Digital publishing tools

Job description

Join our team as a Public Affairs Coordinator (Limited-Term)!

Santa Margarita Water District is seeking a creative, collaborative, and highly motivated Public Affairs Coordinator (Limited-Term) to support the District’s communications, public relations, and community engagement efforts. This entry-level professional role helps develop written and digital content, manage website and social media communications, coordinate outreach programs and special events, and keep customers, employees, stakeholders, and the public informed about District programs, services, projects, and initiatives.

About the Role

Under general supervision, the Public Affairs Coordinator performs professional communications, public relations, community engagement, and administrative support activities. The position prepares and distributes communication materials, coordinates digital content and outreach activities, responds to public inquiries, monitors media and community feedback, supports internal and emergency communications, and assists with photography, videography, and other multimedia projects. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys creating engaging content, managing multiple assignments, building community relationships, and representing the District professionally.

Meet Santa Margarita Water District

Santa Margarita Water District is a dynamic, forward-thinking agency dedicated to delivering high-quality potable water, recycled water, and wastewater services to its 200,000 customers across Southern Orange County. As one of the region’s largest and most impactful utilities, we are committed to the highest standards of transparency, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

Our people drive our progress, innovation, and results. Our collaborative, human-first culture fosters the sense of fun, comradery, and a rewarding sense of purpose as we do work that matters.

Dynamic teams of intelligent individuals work collaboratively to achieve SMWD’s goals and solve challenges with a common aim that fosters a unique bond that is not often found in governmental agencies.

Santa Margarita Water District’s values include:

• Exemplary service excellence
• Intelligent innovation that is forward-thinking and adaptive
• Ethical fiscal responsibility and transparency
• Environmental and resource stewardship
• Employee development and leadership training
• Building relationships that strengthen communities

What You Will Do

• The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.
• Assists in developing, writing, editing, and distributing communication materials, including news releases, newsletters, website content, social media posts, fact sheets, presentations, customer notices, and other public information materials.
• Coordinates and maintains content for the District’s website, social media platforms, and digital communication channels to ensure information is accurate, timely, and consistent with District branding standards.
• Assists with the planning, promotion, coordination, and implementation of community outreach programs, educational initiatives, public meetings, facility tours, special events, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Responds to routine public inquiries regarding District programs, services, projects and events and coordinates responses with appropriate staff as needed.
• Monitors media coverage, social media activity, and public feedback related to District operations and communication initiatives.
• Assists in preparing communication plans, outreach strategies, event materials, talking points, presentations, and supporting documentation for District projects and programs.
• Coordinates the design, production, and distribution of printed and digital communication materials and promotional items.
• Maintains communication records, content calendars, media contact lists, photographic archives, and outreach metrics.
• Supports internal communication efforts by assisting with employee communications, recognition programs, and organizational initiatives.
• Conducts research and gathers information to support communication campaigns, public education efforts, and community engagement activities.
• Assists with photography, videography, and multimedia content creation to support District communications and outreach objectives.
• Tracks communication and outreach performance metrics and assists in preparing reports and recommendations.
• Supports emergency and crisis communication activities as assigned.
• Attend community meetings, industry events, and outreach activities representing the District as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

What You Bring

• Principles, practices, and techniques of public affairs, communications, and community engagement.
• Business writing, editing, proofreading, and content development methods.
• Social media platforms, content management practices, and digital communication strategies.
• Website content management systems and digital publishing tools.
• Graphic design, photography, videography, and multimedia communication principles.
• Marketing and branding concepts.
• Customer service principles and techniques.
• Research methods and data collection techniques.
• Public meeting and event coordination practices.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer applications.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and business correspondence.
• Principles of project coordination and organization.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public affairs, communications, journalism, marketing, public administration, English, digital media, or a closely related field.
• One (1) year of professional or internship experience in public affairs, communications, marketing, journalism, community outreach, social media management, or a related field is desirable. Licenses.

• Possession of or the ability to obtain a valid California Class C driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District’s vehicle insurance program.