Job Description

Communications Manager

Job Announcement No: 26-072

Vacant Position(s): 1

Department: Communications

Applications Accepted through Sunday, May 17, 2026

Salary Range: $78,457.60 ($37.72/hr) - $121,617.60 ($58.47/hr)

Grade: 111

Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Flexible)

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Public Information Administrator, this communications professional evaluates corporate and departmental needs and responds by independently conceptualizing, developing, and implementing initiatives, strategies, tactics, and tools to achieve desired results.

Essential Functions

Craft and execute annual strategic communication plan.
Evaluate and respond to corporate and departmental needs by examining issues and identifying, developing, and implementing appropriate communication initiatives to achieve desired results.
Develop print materials including annual water and wastewater quality reports, quarterly customer newsletters, as well as posters, brochures, and letters.
Oversee, operate, and update website and social media channels to support corporate, departmental, and situational initiatives.
Co-lead Citizens Academy by serving on the project management team, overseeing promotion and participant recruitment, and emceeing class sessions as needed.
Create internal communication products including our weekly employee newsletter (Water Weekly), as well as our annual associate calendar and holiday card.
Support departmental communication initiatives by evaluating needs and goals, identifying appropriate strategies, and providing technical guidance if vendors are needed for print or video production.
Provide customer education at community meetings/events, schools, business gatherings, etc.
Assist with media relations as needed and serves as primary back-up for PIA in media interviews.
Present key communication initiatives and tools at Board of Commissioner meetings upon request.
Serve on Customer Focus Strategic Team.
Manage projects from inception to completion.
Oversee multiple projects at the same time, with competing deadlines.
Job performance must conform to all CWS policies and procedures.
Knowledge of applicable CWS Environmental Management System Policy and Procedures.
Required to work during emergency situations such as severe weather or other crises.

Job Requirements

Additional Duties

Photography/videography; coordinating photo and video shoots.
Other related duties as assigned.

Education And/or Experience

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, or a related field of study is required plus a minimum of three (3) years professional experience these fields; OR a combination of a bachelor’s degree or higher and directly applicable communications experience to equal nine (9) years.
Possess a mastery of professional writing, editing, grammatical, and presentation skills.
Knowledge of professional printing and video production standards required.
Skill with Associated Press (AP) style strongly preferred.
Proficiency with Twitter, Facebook, and video production required.
Experience with drone photography/videography and willingness to acquire FAA certification preferred.
Must have experience and comfort with media, media relations, and crisis communication.
Must possess strong listening skills, creativity, resourcefulness, attention to detail, and ability to work well in a team environment.
Strong project management skills.
Ability to organize and prioritize tasks.
Prior work record indicating dependability and conscientiousness.

Licenses, Certifications, Registrations

Valid South Carolina Driver's License required.

Physical Requirements, Activities, And Working Conditions

Sedentary work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly maneuver and transport objects.
Ability to use a personal computer, desk and cellular telephone, radio, fax, copy machines, and calculator.
Ability to visually observe computer screens, printer and keyboard to receive and send information.
Ability to receive and give complex written and oral instructions.
Ability to bend, reach, and handle documents to maintain filing system and access bulletin boards.
General office environment but must be able to wear Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) as defined in the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) to perform required essential functions.

Training Needs

OSHA and departmental safety training as required.
Skills based training.
Standard Operating Instruction (SOI) per department requirements.
ISO 14001:2015 standards for department and company.
See Department Competency and Training Matrix for this position.

Potential Career Path

ELIGIBILITY FOR PROMOTION TO VARIOUS POSITIONS THROUGHOUT CHARLESTON WATER SYSTEM DEPENDS UPON INDIVIDUAL QUALIFICATIONS AND NOTED JOB PROGRESSIONS ARE NO GUARANTEE OF CAREER PATH TO THESE OR ANY OTHER JOB(S) AT THE COMMISSION.

Public Information Administrator

Charleston Water System

New Jobs

Communications Manager 26-072