County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, to assist in a variety of public outreach and community relations activities for the distribution of information regarding Zone 7 Water Agency, operations, policies, and procedures; to work with neighborhood communities, businesses, and civic leaders to assure their understanding of Agency policies and operations; and to develop complex media relations outreach programs for the Agency; and other related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Communications Specialist, Zone 7 is responsible for performing the full range of professional level communications duties while reporting to the Environmental & Public Affairs Manager, Zone 7. This class is distinguished from the Environmental & Public Affairs Manager, Zone 7 in that the latter has overall responsibility for environmental regulatory compliance review, coordination of legislative, water conservation and communication activities.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Performs a variety of public outreach and community relations activities, special events, and public awareness programs for the distribution of information regarding Agency environmental activities, operations, policies, and procedures.
2. Promotes awareness of Agency goals, projects, environmental activities, and programs through employee targeted orientation events, internal publications, and other media; prepare monthly internal newsletter.
3. Analyzes and interpret information on a variety of integrated water resource issues; plan and implement, with management agreement, appropriate communication strategies.
4. Develops and formulates the writing and printing of newsletters, brochures, fact sheets, reports, and other educational literature for dissemination to the public; assists other staff members by writing and editing technical information and reports for official Zone 7 publications.
5. Develops and maintains contacts with various community groups, organizations, and government representatives; promotes positive relations with the general public, community groups, employees, schools, local government and environmental regulatory agencies.
6. Identifies and pursues opportunities to generate positive media coverage of Zone 7’s programs and services.

7. Participates in taking photographs, slides, and films for news media or Agency use; coordinate the production of various publications, slide shows, films, exhibits, and similar materials.
8. Works with community groups, neighborhood communities, businesses, and civic leaders to assure their understanding of Agency policies and operations.
9. Develop survey instruments; conduct surveys of program participants to determine participant needs; interpret and record survey results; implement program changes in response to results.
10. Maintain an in-depth knowledge in one or more integrated water resource issues that affect the Agency, i.e., distribution of water supplies, long range water supply planning, water conservation, recycling and environmental protection, imported water, watershed protection, and flood management.
11. Plan, organize, and conduct tours of Agency facilities as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in communications, English, public relations, journalism, marketing, environmental studies, or a field related to the work.

AND
Experience:

The equivalent of four years of full-time professional level experience in the field of public information, community relations, public affairs, public relations, environmental education, or a related field.

License:

Possession of a valid California driver’s license.

Other Requirements:

• Travel overnight to attend conferences
• Work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
• Work nights, weekends, and holidays, in emergencies
• Work around hazardous chemicals
• Sufficient physical strength and agility to conduct tours of Zone 7 facilities
• Ability to carry audio-visual equipment weighing up to 50 pounds

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public information services, communications theory, and environmental education.
• Correct English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Information dissemination techniques and methods.
• Techniques of working with the public on an individual or group basis.
• Public relations and marketing strategies.
• Understanding of the working media.
• Current issues and projects affecting Agency operations.
• Principles of effective written communication including strong editing skills.
• Methods and techniques of graphic design and production.
• Interviewing techniques.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances, rules and environmental laws and regulations.
• Automated techniques in developing audiovisual presentations.

Ability to:

• Work effectively with the public, governmental agencies, private companies, media, community organizations, and staff in a tactful, diplomatic manner.
• Communicate effectively in writing as it pertains to media releases, articles, bulletins, etc.
• Communicate orally in a clear and concise manner.
• Speak effectively in public settings.
• Analyze problems, examine alternatives, and recommend solutions.
• Develop, and organize innovative strategies to meet Zone 7 environmental and public affairs objectives.
• Coordinate effectively with management personnel.
• Produce accurate information in short timeframes.
• Plan and organize to meet deadlines when managing multiple and changing priorities.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

RC:po 4/3/06
Newspec: 4915.doc
CSC Date: 4/12/2006

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.