Minimum Qualifications

Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Advertising or related field plus four (4) years of progressive experience in developing and implementing programs of public information, one (1) of which was in a team leader/coordinator capacity.
Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses Or Certifications

None.

Notes to Applicants

Position Overview

A primary focus for this position is to provide communications and community engagement support for Austin Water's construction projects at its plants, facilities and in neighborhoods throughout its service area. Working with project teams, the position will track several dozen projects in the design and construction phases, establish a communications plan for each project, including project website, newsletters, mailings and public meetings to keep the public informed and help troubleshoot concerns and complaints. The position will be part of the Communications Platforms team with the opportunity to contribute to social media and other digital communications and will serve on the media on-call team and emergency response team.

Working with Austin Water provides a number of benefits including medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

When Completing The City Of Austin Employment Application

Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications. Please include contact information from previous employers.
A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job title and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered.
A resume is required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Please do not use the phrase "see resume" or refer to other documents to complete your application. Do not leave the "Duties and Responsibilities" sections blank. These will be considered incomplete applications. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If You Are Selected For Interview

Your skill level in some of the competency areas for this job will be assessed through a presentation during the interview.

If You Are Selected For Hire

Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) is required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization or institution. You must also provide proof of your professional licenses or certifications.
If you are in the military or are a military veteran, you will need to provide a copy of the Member 4 page of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.

Travel

If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Secondary Employment

All Austin Water employees are prohibited from accepting or engaging in any secondary employment that might conflict or interfere with an employee's duty and responsibility to the Department.
AW must review all secondary employment.
Employees are required to submit a Secondary Employment Application for review and approval upon being hired with AW, as well as current AW employees considering Secondary employment.

All Austin Water worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any AW worksite - including construction sites, parking lot, garage or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.

Pay Range

$30.14 - $37.68

Hours

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Monday-Friday, with limited flexibility. Other hours as business needs require. Hybrid telework schedule available. Participates in on-call rotation.

Job Close Date 04/12/2023

Type of Posting External

Department Austin Water Utility

Regular/Temporary Regular

Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable

Category Professional

Location 625 East 10th Street, Austin, TX

Preferred Qualifications

Bilingual in Spanish - for both written and spoken communications.
Ability to present technical information in an engaging and polished manner; experience facilitating public meetings and workshops.
Experience providing communications and community outreach for construction or infrastructure projects.
Experience identifying and building relationships with populations who have traditionally been underrepresented in City outreach efforts.
Familiarity with public information protocols during emergency events, including an understanding of National Incident Management System principles.
Strong understanding of e-newsletter communication platforms, such as Mailchimp, and digital tools for community engagement, such as Zoom, SpeakUp Austin or similar platforms.
Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Duties, Functions And Responsibilities

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Works on assignments that are complex in nature where considerable judgment and initiative are required in resolving problems and making recommendations. Primary responsibility for larger individual projects or act as an account representative for client departments and programs. Develops long-range strategic plans. Writes plans, organizes, directs, coordinates and edits articles for publication in a variety of forms, including electronic publication. Coordinates all aspects of production of marketing materials. Performs media relations duties to include: media buying, news releases, and fielding questions from media. Coordinates public relations duties to include: public and school education, presentations, tours of public facilities, and requests for information from the general public. Designs, researches, writes and edits newsletters and releases for internal or external use. Produces public service announcements and videos for promotional use.

Responsibilities - Supervision And/or Leadership Exercised

May train and lead others.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

Knowledge of public information, marketing, public relations, media relations programs.
Knowledge of the functions and organization of municipal government, to include the relationships between departments, divisions and agencies.
Knowledge of the principles associated with the role of meeting the necessary standards of customer service.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
Skill in using computers and related software.
Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
Skill in planning and organizing.
Ability to interpret policies and guidelines.
Ability to write articles for publication.
Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
Ability to lead and train others.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Criminal Background Investigation This position does not require a Criminal Background Investigation

EEO/ADA

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). * Are you fluent (read, write and speak) in English/Spanish or English/another language? Please indicate which language(s).

This position requires graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Advertising or related field plus four (4) years of progressive experience in developing and implementing programs of public information, one (1) of which was in a team leader/coordinator capacity. Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years. Do you meet the minimum qualifications for this position?
Yes.
No.

(Open Ended Question)

Please describe your experience with facilitating public meetings, presenting information to the public, and creating content for diverse audiences.

(Open Ended Question) * Describe your experience (including number of years) providing communications and community outreach related to construction or infrastructure projects and indicate the position(s) listed on your application that support(s) your answer.

Do you have experience providing communications and community outreach related to construction or infrastructure projects?
Yes
No

(Open Ended Question)

Please describe your experience working with diverse and underrepresented communities and building relationships to advance community outreach programs and initiatives.

(Open Ended Question)

Describe your experience with or familiarity of public information protocols during emergency events, including National Incident Management System principles.

(Open Ended Question)

Describe your experience (including number of years) using communication platforms, such as MailChimp, and digital tools for community engagement, such as Zoom, SpeakUp Austin or similar platforms, and indicate the position(s) listed on your application that support(s) your answer.

(Open Ended Question) * Were you referred to this opportunity by an Austin Water employee? If yes, please provide the employee's full name.

Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?
Yes
No

(Open Ended Question)

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents

City of Austin

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