Sonoma Water Senior Programs Specialist - Promotional

Water Otter Job Board; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plan

Retirement plan

Job summary

Sonoma Water is seeking a Senior Programs Specialist to coordinate communications and community engagement projects, and to develop and edit materials for diverse audiences across multiple digital platforms. You will manage content, ensure accuracy, clarity, and effective public engagement for our programs.

Responsibilities include overseeing graphic design and visual communications, planning and facilitating meetings and events, managing multiple projects, and coordinating education programs

Qualifications

• Education/experience combination to provide required knowledge and abilities.
• Degree in water-related science, environmental studies, education, political science, communications, public relations, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing graphic design and visual communications projects.
• Planning, coordinating, and facilitating community meetings, public events, outreach activities and other engagement opportunities.
• Managing multiple projects and deadlines with time-sensitive communications needs.
• Coordinating community education/engagement programs with staff and departments.
• Promoting awareness of Sonoma Water projects and programs.

Skills

Writing and editing

Public outreach

Project management

Digital communications

Public meetings facilitation

Research and synthesis

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Education

Four-year degree in water-related field or related area

Three years of relevant experience including supervisory/II level

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office Suite

Database applications

Job description

Job Description

Position Information

The formal title for this position is Water Agency Senior Programs Specialist.

The Sonoma Water Senior Programs Specialist is responsible for coordinating communications and community engagement projects and programs, developing and editing communication materials for diverse audiences and platforms, and managing content and functionality to ensure accuracy, clarity, and effective public engagement on our multiple digital platforms.

• Overseeing graphic design and visual communications projects and materials
• Planning, coordinating, and facilitating community meetings, public events, outreach activities, and other engagement opportunities
• Managing multiple projects and competing deadlines while responding effectively to time‑sensitive communications needs
• Coordinating and directing community education/engagement programs with other staff and departments
• Promoting awareness of Sonoma Water projects and programs

In addition to bringing experience planning and implementing public outreach programs, the ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment and will possess many of the following:

• Strong professional writing and editing skills, with the ability to adapt complex or specialized information for varied audiences and communication channels
• Experience managing projects involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, deadlines, and deliverables
• Ability to develop and execute digital communications campaigns, as well as working knowledge of web design and online social networks
• Comfort with facilitating public meetings, stakeholder discussions, committees, and other group processes
• Experience researching unfamiliar subjects, identifying reliable information, synthesizing findings from multiple sources, and producing clear, accurate communications materials
• Adobe Creative Suite experience in digital media, designing brochures, and public documents and infographics
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs

Minimum Qualifications

Experience and Education: Any combination of education, training, and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, this would include a four‑year degree in water related science, environmental studies, education, political science, communications, public relations, or a closely related field; and three years of experience, which includes at least one year at the level of Water Agency Program Specialist II, or equivalent, that has included experience in the implementation of water‑related programs in one or more of the following areas: community relations, public outreach, media, water use efficiency technology, teaching methods consistent with state‑wide educational standards, and/or legislative processes at the federal or state level.

Desired Certifications

Possession of a Grade II Water Use Efficiency Practitioner certificate from the CA/NA Section of the American Water Works Association for persons in the Water Use Efficiency specialization. Possession of a California teaching credential for persons in the Water Education specialization.

License

Possession of a valid driver’s license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

The position advertised in this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of: Operation of water supply facilities, water treatment facilities and water distribution systems; methods of water treatment and recycling; environmental regulations and environmental enhancement and restoration methods related to operation and construction of water supply, flood control, renewable energy, recycled water, and wastewater treatment facilities; fundamentals of communication, public speaking; data analysis and statistical forecasting methods; best practices for community outreach; English grammar, composition, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation; standards and practices for workplace safety; and office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, search tools, social media services and database applications.

Ability to: plan, develop, organize, and implement a wide variety of water‑related programs; negotiate agreements with various agencies and special interests to facilitate program activities; speak effectively and persuasively before diverse groups; establish effective working relationships with other staff and with persons possessing a wide variety of divergent views; plan, organize, train, lead, and direct the activities of Water Agency staff and employees of participating municipalities, special districts, the public, and outside agencies; create, innovate, develop, implement, and manage a variety of programs and projects related to water use efficiency, water education, community affairs, or government affairs; write and edit written materials for publication; compile concise reports, letters, newsletters and other written materials; coordinate educational and informational seminars and workshops; prepare and disseminate information to media and others; prepare a wide range of clear, concise, and informative reports, correspondence, and brochures; operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; use the internet and social media to enhance public outreach.

Specialized assignments require the following

Water Use Efficiency

Working knowledge of: Principles, practices and methods of water use efficiency and natural resource conservation; methods of conservation program implementation and monitoring; plumbing efficiency; building code requirements; landscaping and turf water efficiency; methods for urban and non‑urban water reuse; landscape design and installation practices; regulatory framework and reporting standards for water efficiency in California including State Water Board requirements and urban water management plan specifications.

Water Education

Working knowledge of: Strategies and methods for effective educational programs; current state and federal standards for science education; strategies for effective behavior management; methods for outdoor education and natural interpretation, strategies for curriculum development and implementation; methods to analyze educational effectiveness.

Community Affairs

Working knowledge of: Principles and techniques for establishing and maintaining effective public relations; media operations and effective media relations; techniques for effective use of social media; principles of graphic design and production; techniques and methods of research, report writing and preparation of informational materials; strategies for conflict resolution and mediation.

Government Affairs

Working knowledge of: Basic principles of the state Water and Government Codes and related laws; state and federal legislative procedures; regulatory requirements governing legislative advocacy; communication methods for legislative advocacy; strategies for developing multi‑agency coalitions.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Responses to supplemental questions may be scored using position‑specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Personally identifiable information (PII) is removed from the standard application fields and applicable attachments. This PII blind screening practice redacts a candidate’s personal information that could potentially influence or bias the scoring process. Personal information includes the applicant’s name, former last name, address, phone number, email, driver’s license number, school name, education start and end dates, age, date of birth, gender, and race. This PII blind screening practice helps contribute to a fair and equitable examination process.

Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to candidates.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: JT

HR Technician: VH

Important Note

Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

County of Sonoma Benefits: General*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

• Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
• Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA‑qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.
• Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired.
• IRS 457 Plan: Pre‑tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
• Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post‑retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
• Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.
• Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at [phone]. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at Labor Agreements & Salary Resolution. For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to Human Resources or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at [e-mail] or [phone].

*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 11/3/2026 11:59 PM Pacific