Communication Specialist, Zone 7

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.

Applications and Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.  Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires will only be accepted on-line.

THE AGENCY

Zone 7 provides treated drinking water to four major water retailers serving around 220,000 residents and businesses. The retailers are: the City of Pleasanton; the City of Livermore; California Water Service Company - Livermore; and Dublin San Ramon Services District, which provides water service to Dublin and the Dougherty Valley area of San Ramon

 

THE POSITION

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.

 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate has experience with a proven track record of success that demonstrates knowledge, skills and abilities in the following areas:

• Designs and delivers an effective communication strategy by taking responsibility for understanding the needs of Agency stakeholders.
• Develops and maintains effective relationships by relating to stakeholders at all levels internally and externally, to ensure needs are identified and appropriate communication materials are designed and delivered.
• Conveys information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.
• Designs and delivers various types of written and web-based materials providing environmental and/or water utilization education information so that intended messages are conveyed to target audiences with clarity and precision.
• Organizes, implements and manages new and ongoing projects and the related resources, personnel and activities to successful completion so that the Agency’s communication program is delivered effectively and efficiently.
• Possesses a broad understanding and knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws relating to the environment and water utilization in particular.
• Maintains a basic level of scientific knowledge and understanding of the areas of work conducted and/or supported by the agency by establishing procedures to collect and review information to stay current with conservation and water usage issues.
• Recognizes the importance of and seeks opportunities to collaborate across the Agency to identify and solve communication and education needs and ensure efficient completion of Agency goals.

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.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

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.

The examination will consist of the following steps:

1. A review of candidates' application to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.
2. A review of the supplemental questionnaire to determine the best qualified.
3. An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidates' final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

Candidates must attain a qualifying rating on each portion of this recruitment.

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN

Deadline for Filing:	5:00 p.m., Monday, September 10, 2018
Review of Minimum Qualifications:	by Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Review of Supplemental Questionnaire for Best Qualified:	by Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Oral Interviews:	Tuesday, October 23, 2018

 

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes. For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

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

• 11 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Employee Mortgage Loan Program
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• 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.

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the bulletin for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Anna Montoya, Human Resources Analyst III
Human Resource Services Division, County of Alameda
510-272-6459; Email: anna.montoya@acgov.org
www.acgov.org/hrs

 

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer