Posted: 9/16/2020
Location: Oak Grove, Oregon
Salary: $32.63 to $41.29 an hour/DOE

Oak Lodge Water Services District is currently searching for an Outreach and Communications Specialist with excellent communication skills and the ability to create positive community relationships with a variety of stakeholders. This position will help develop strategic communication plans to increase public awareness of the District’s essential services and enhance community knowledge of the District. This position plans and conducts educational events for citizens school age to adult. Preferred candidates will have 4 years of experience in marketing and public outreach with a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Business, Marketing, or a similar field of study. A combination of education and experience will be considered. Public sector experience is also preferred. Candidates must have a valid Driver’s License.

How to Apply:
Application materials must be completed by the closing date to be considered for this position. Any application that is missing a cover letter and resume will not be considered. No late, incomplete, or faxed applications will be accepted. More specific instructions can be found on the District application including instructions for requesting veteran’s preference. Internal candidates are to contact the Human Resources department for a District Application and further information. Please visit www.oaklodgewaterservices.org for an employment application and further information.

The required materials to be turned in for this recruitment are:

1. District Application
2. Resume
3. Cover Letter
4. Work sample of effective customer outreach or marketing

About Oak Lodge Water Services District:
Oak Lodge Water Services provides clean water, sanitary sewer, and surface water services to residents of the unincorporated communities of Oak Grove and Jennings Lodge. Oak Lodge Water Services serves over 30,000 residents. Prior to January 2017, two Districts serviced the area separately: Oak Lodge Water provided drinking water and Oak Lodge Sanitary provided sanitary sewer and watershed protection. In May 2016, voters in the district passed a measure to consolidate the two districts into a single district. Our combined district focuses on delivering the best possible services to our customers efficiently and effectively.

The District’s key values are:

• Our customers
• Respecting the opinions and voices of coworkers, customers, the general public, and the Board
•  Maintaining a positive and professional environment that expects honesty, integrity, quality customer service, and social responsibility
• Positive relationships, and always reaching for the best within ourselves
• Recruiting and maintaining highly motivated people to provide quality service to our customers

By practicing these values, we create an open forum to achieve excellence in communication and work processes which provide our customers with efficient wastewater, surface water and clean water services that protect public health and water quality. At Oak Lodge Water Services District, we strive to create a culture of teamwork and excellence in Public Service.

Essential Duties of the Position:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive District communications strategy with direction from District leadership, the Board, and outside consultants.
• Ensure that communications strategies consider the diverse nature of the District’s varied stakeholders and multi-faceted communication methods, including the development of District newsletters and messaging outreach strategies.
• Manage, in conjunction with the General Manager and Water Quality Coordinator, the District’s relationships with partners such as neighborhood organizations, business associations, and environmental non-profits.
• Develop and manage the District’s internet presence including the web page and social media accounts.
• Plan and conduct program outreach and promotional activities for assigned programs; develop information, outreach and educational programs and materials, including newsletters, brochures, digital/media/traditional information including customer welcome packets and other types of materials.
• Partner with the Water Quality Coordinator to organize, plan and conduct annual events such as volunteer recognition and outdoor restoration activities.  Schedule and presents education and outreach programs for youth K-12 through adults both individually and in conjunction with the Water Quality Coordinator.
• Form positive community relations through interactions and communications with all age groups.
• Perform project and database management related to communications programs, water quality, resource management, including budgeting and tracking costs.
• Conduct various studies, surveys, and observations to gather data and report findings; and presents findings in reports, graphs, or data appropriate format. 
• Periodically attends scheduled Oak Grove Community Council and Jennings Lodge Community Planning Organization Meetings or other meetings as assigned.
• Develops and documents OLWS policies and processes in relation to communication, water quality and permitting in conjunction with management and internal stakeholders.

Secondary Duties of the Position:

• Develops a variety of correspondence, reports, and other documents; creates documents using Microsoft Suite and other software.
• Contributes to the accurate documentation of District activities through the maintenance of public records and the retention of applicable documents with the District Recorder.
• Provides support, assistance, and backup to the Technical Services Team, specifically the Permitting Specialist to ensure timely processing of construction permits.
• Provides backup support to field work as needed, including water collection and sampling, and community plantings and outdoor events in inclement weather. Documents field activities and perform data analysis as needed.
• Assists in the development, coordination and completion of District permit applications and activities as assigned. Works cooperatively to complete water quality related monitoring and reporting work as needed. Supports allied functions related to regulatory compliance, monitoring, analysis, and reporting for water supply issues in the fields of sanitation, domestic water, irrigation, and stormwater.
• Provides backup to the District Recorder’s Board and Public meetings duties in the Recorder’s absence. 

Ranking and Selection:
The ranking and selection of applicants to proceed in the process for this recruitment includes experience, education, or an explanation of transferable skills and experience and meeting the minimum qualifications of this position.

Closing Date: First review 10/12/2020, open until filled.