Public Affairs Manager

Public Affairs Manager

Mesa Water District

Costa Mesa, CA (this is an in-office role)

Mesa Water is an independent, top-performing special district, located in Costa Mesa, California. At Mesa Water, you’ll be part of an award-winning agency that provides 100% local and reliable groundwater to more than 110,000 residents. Mesa Water is the only water district in Orange County to provide its community with water sourced entirely from local groundwater supplies. An industry leader, and one of the most efficient water agencies in the county, Mesa Water is known for its entrepreneurial, collaborative spirit, forward-thinking business practices and technologies, and commitment to remarkable customer service. Employees are provided with an excellent benefits package offering $2,200/month in flex credits, participation in CalPERS, a matching 457b plan (up to 3.5%), a generous education reimbursement program, and a wealth of training and professional development opportunities.

About the Role

Reporting to the General Manager, the Public Affairs Manager assumes full management responsibility of our Public Affairs department, and is the most senior communications professional in the District. They oversee a talented team of professionals as they quickly and effectively inform the public about the important issues, policies and processes that impact Mesa Water, our rate-payers, and our stakeholders. This person will supervise the District’s Water Use Efficiency and Education Coordinator, a Public Affairs Specialist, and a Department Assistant.

Day to day, the Public Affairs Manager:

• Assumes management responsibility for the full range of communication, water education, and water use efficiency functions, including planning, coordinating, implementing, and promoting public information, outreach and communications programs.
• Establishes schedules and methods for providing communication strategies and activities; identifies resource needs; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; allocates resources accordingly.
• Plans, directs, manages, and oversees the preparation and editing of various projects including bi-monthly customer newsletter, District brochures, event flyers, and bill inserts; develops, designs, organizes, and maintains District public display materials.
• Serves as Mesa Water’s primary contact with the media and acts as District spokesperson; proactively pitches media and issues media releases for positive positioning of the District; prepares information for distribution to staff, general public, and other agencies.
• Oversees operation of the Mesa Water Education Center, participates in and/or guides tours, visits, and water education classes.
• Manages District’s digital/online presence, including website, social media and customer water interruption notification system (email, text and voice), with an eye for usability and creative look and feel; develop content and supervise regular updates on sites.
• Develops a variety of strategic public relations plans, which includes: issues/crisis management, organizational objectives, annual strategic plans, and other related plans.
• Fosters positive relations and good communications with Chambers of Commerce, local cities and special districts, civic associations, homeowners associations, and non-governmental organizations such as environmental groups.
• Oversees administration of annual customer survey.
• Manages the development of department goals and objectives, as well as policies and procedures; makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; participates in the implementation of approved policies and procedures; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates through subordinate level staff; provides or coordinates staff training and professional development; coaches/mentors and evaluates assigned employees; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements discipline procedures.
• Oversees a variety of water use efficiency functions and programs including water surveys, investigations, and evaluations of residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers; assesses the efficiency of water use, particularly for landscape irrigation; provides recommendations on water usage and conservation techniques, equipment improvements, and other methods of achieving more efficient water use; rebate programs with Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) and various vendors.
• Oversees preparation of water use efficiency mandated reporting and the District’s Urban Water Management Plan and Best Management Practices Report.
• Manages various consultants and vendors that support public affairs functions.
• Represents Mesa Water at various public events and meetings; prepares and gives presentations and speeches as necessary.
• Responsible for preparation and administration of the department budget.
• Oversees and approves contributions and sponsorships requests.
• Conducts special studies involving research and analysis of complex and sensitive information; develops recommendations and alternative solutions; implements as needed.
• Represents the District on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees.
• Oversees and participates in the preparation of request for proposals and agreements for various specialized professional services contracts.
• Represents the department to other departments within the District, elected officials, and stakeholders; coordinates assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the field of public information and outreach as well as water-wise and water use efficiency programs; incorporates new developments as appropriate.
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive customer inquiries and complaints.

Skills and Abilities

The selected candidate will have experience with:

• The operation of a comprehensive communications and public affairs program.
• Program development and administration.
• Effectively developing and disseminating communications for internal and external audiences.
• The news media, including but not limited to newspapers, radio, television, and social media sources of news.
• The basic principles of and information sources in the field of water efficiency, and with local, state and federal legislation and regulations regarding water policies.
• Researching, writing, editing, and preparing a variety of informational publications, reports, speeches, bulletins, press releases, feature stories, scripts, and distribution materials, and overseeing others who do this as well.
• Budget and contract preparation and administration.
• Supervising junior and mid-level employees, training them, and evaluating their performance.
• Standard organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.

Qualities and Approach

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualities and approach to their work as a senior communications executive:

• Professional & Technical Expertise - Experience managing public communications, outreach programs, and communication strategies.
• Crisis Management - Ability to effectively navigate the media and public communications during a major threat to agency operations or reputation.
• Action & Results Focus - Sees goals and projects through to completion despite hurdles.
• Adaptability - Ability to quickly shift priorities as the situation requires.
• Innovation - Devises new and better ways of doing things.
• Professional Integrity & Ethics - Can be counted on to be true to one's word and take accountability for one's actions.
• Written & Oral Communication - Expert communicator both orally and in writing.
• Presentation Skills - Develops and delivers effective and persuasive presentations.
• Customer Focus - Puts oneself in the customer's shoes when designing and providing services.
• Involving Others - Engages others for input, contribution, and a shared responsibility for outcomes.
• Professional Impact - Presents self as a positive representative of the organization, commands positive attention in large group settings, and is comfortable talking to the media.
• Developing Others - Supports others in stretching and expanding their capabilities.
• Leadership - Creates a positive work environment in which staff are motivated to do their best.
• Managing Performance - Recognizes superior or improved performance and intervenes quickly in response to developmental needs.
• Project Management - Ensures projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives.
• Strategic Perspective - Understands factors that are shaping the industry and anticipates opportunities that will be opening and closing; keeps an eye on the "big picture” and long range implications.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Eight (8) years of increasingly responsible experience in public relations or public affairs work, preferably in a utility or similar government setting, developing and implementing communications strategies to meet organizational objectives, including three (3) years in a management or supervisory capacity.