Sonoma Water Senior Programs Specialist - Promotional

County of Sonoma

Santa Rosa (CA)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 115,000

Full time

26 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Health Plan

Retirement Plan

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

County of Sonoma is seeking a Water Agency Senior Programs Specialist to lead public outreach and community engagement for water use efficiency projects. The role involves coordinating education programs, managing multiple outreach initiatives, and promoting Sonoma Water projects across diverse stakeholders.

The successful candidate will have a background in water-related fields, strong writing and editing skills, and experience guiding communications campaigns across digital channels and public

Qualifications

Four-year degree in water-related science, environmental studies, education, political science, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.
Three years of experience, including at least one year at the level of Water Agency Program Specialist II, in water-related programs such as community relations, public outreach, media, water use efficiency technology, teaching methods, or legislative processes.

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 while responding 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.

Skills

Graphic design

Public outreach

Project management

Written communication

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree in water-related science or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Web design

Job description

Specialized Assignments Require The Following

Water Use Efficiency

Position Information

This recruitment is promotional only. You must presently be a full- or part-time regular or probationary County of Sonoma, Community Development Commission, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, or Sonoma County Water Agency employee in order to apply for this position. The Department has requested a department promotional certification to fill a Water Agency Senior Programs Specialist position. Only qualified permanent and/or probationary Department employees on the eligible list may be eligible for referral to the department for the advertised position. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time or part-time positions as they occur during the active status of the list. The formal title for this position is Water Agency Senior Programs Specialist.

Responsibilities

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, specials 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.

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.

County of Sonoma Benefits: General

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.

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

For this question and all subsequent questions, please provide sufficient information to allow for a thorough evaluation of your qualifications. Responses to supplemental questions may be scored using specific criteria and may be reviewed by hiring managers.

Please describe how you meet the minimum qualifications which normally includes: 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. For each relevant position you list, include:

Title
Name of employer
Employment dates (mm/yy-mm/yy)
A description of your primary role and responsibilities

Please list any coursework, training and/or special certifications you possess or have completed that relate to this position (water related science, environmental studies, education, political science, communications, public relations, or other related courses). If you have a degree, please note the type of degree and the area of your major. which normally includes a four-year degree in water related science, environmental studies, education, political science, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.

Please describe your experience in developing a public outreach campaign, including any web-based applications utilized to deliver the message. Include in your response your role in strategically creating the message and the outcomes.

Please describe your experience facilitating community meetings or public events. In your response, include your specific role, the types of contractors, client groups, or jurisdictions you collaborated with, any lead or supervisory responsibilities you held, and the community engagement benefits or outcomes.