to assist the District in meeting its public education, communication, and community engagement goals, with an emphasis on outreach to underserved communities. In addition, this position will proactively publicize District programs, accomplishments, and vision using a variety of communications strategies. This position reports to the Communications Program Supervisor but will regularly interact with staff and managers throughout the District.
The ability to communicate effectively with community groups and event planning/press event experience is a must along with experience managing, developing, and tracking social media. Graphic design and video editing/shooting experience, and familiarity with environmental justice issues are highly desirable.
Required
This position develops, administers, and participates in the dissemination of information to promote understanding of District environmental programs, activities, regulations, and administrative proceedings to non-technical audiences, news media representatives, community and civic groups, public agencies, and private organizations; and encourages and promotes public and small business participation in such programs, activities and proceedings; and performs other related duties as required.Distinguishing Characteristics:
Assistant Communications & Marketing Specialist - The entry level class of the series. Incumbents assist with the planning, designing, and executing of programs, projects, studies, or other work involving the preparation and dissemination of administrative and technical information in support of the District's policies, functions, activities, demonstrations, programs, and regulations. Incumbents are expected to demonstrate increased understanding and knowledge of District programs during the training period. Incumbents are gradually given less supervision and more difficult and responsible assignments.
Associate Communications & Marketing Specialist - The fully experienced, journey level class of the series. Incumbents work under general supervision and are responsible for assignments of substantial difficulty/complexity/sensitivity requiring an in-depth knowledge of District programs, rules, and operations.
Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower grade of Communications & Marketing Specialist, or when filled from the outside, require prior communications and marketing experience.Typical Duties
The duties listed below are examples of the work typically performed by employees in this class. An employee may not be assigned all duties listed and may be assigned duties which are not listed below. Marginal duties (shown in italics) are those which are least likely to be essential functions for any single position in this class.
Coordinates the District's public education/outreach programs; coordinates activities with District representatives and other management staff; discusses current developments and on-going programs, and provides and obtains information from District staff and other air quality management agency representatives; promotes alternative fuel and low-emission technology to business, elected officials and the general public.
Implements programs, policies and procedures; provides on-going support for special projects and programs through interagency relations, marketing, advertising, and outreach; participates in District rule development and planning efforts to integrate public education program components.
Researches, writes, edits, and oversees production and distribution of quarterly District newsletter, rule advisory notices, brochures, pamphlets, fact sheets, posters, and annual reports.
Responds to news media and public inquiries about the District and air quality issues; acts as spokesperson for the District and represents the District before the news media, and public and private sector officials on a variety of issues; assists with planning, coordination and execution of news conferences and media availabilities; prepares correspondence in reply to inquiries, general complaints, and suggestions relative to the District's programs, activities, and procedures; researches and prepares issue summaries.
Assists with Board of Director's communications through the research, writing, and production of rule fact sheets and other information critical to Board understanding of air quality issues.
Writes and produces special television features; writes copy for radio and television commercials and public service announcements; designs and creates exhibits and displays; develops copy, graphics, layout, and arranges for placement of District print and broadcast advertising.
Plans, arranges for, and coordinates public workshops, special conferences, promotional events, and public hearings on rules, issues, and actions; speaks at workshops, conferences, commission and board meetings.
Acts as project manager for various demonstration programs; monitors project resources, coordinates public education efforts, and responds to on-going needs of demonstration participants.Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:Assistant Communications & Marketing Specialist - Completion of major course work from an accredited four-year college or university in communications, public relations, environmental science, public or business administration, or journalism and two years of full-time experience disseminating public information, including speaking before groups, civic organizations and public gatherings or any combination of training and experience that provides the desired knowledge and abilities.
Associate Communications & Marketing Specialist - Completion of major course work from an accredited four-year college or university in communications, public relations, environmental science, public or business administration, or journalism and one year of experience as an Assistant Communications and Marketing Specialist or three years of full-time experience engaged in an informational service program that included liaison responsibilities with individuals and representatives from community and civic groups, public agencies, and private organizations or any combination of training and experience that provides the desired knowledge and abilities.
Knowledge of:Both Classes - Principles, techniques, and methods to develop and conduct public information and community liaison programs; techniques of preparing, producing and disseminating information to the general public, news media, schools, and the community, utilizing all major media communications; preparation and dissemination of information to the press through a variety of communications media, including photography, graphic arts, copy layout, and radio and television programming; methods used to evaluate program objectives and goals; principles and techniques if establishing and maintaining relations with news media and other public groups; principles, techniques, and practices of journalism, expository prose, and editing; English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
Associate Communications & Marketing Specialist - Basic Federal, State, and local environmental pollution laws, rules, and regulations; District rules, programs and operations; statutory requirements for low-emission vehicles related to alternative fuels; automobile industry/rental car industry and basic fleet management; State, Federal and local government organizations and functions.
Ability to:Both Classes - Read, understanding, apply and communicate District rules, regulations and procedures, and Federal and State environmental regulations; establish and maintain relations with media, community leaders, District management staff, and representatives of a wide range of public agencies and private organizations; compose, coordinate, and edit a variety of educational, informational, and promotional materials; prepare written analyses, evaluation, summaries, recommendations, correspondence and reports; prepare illustrations, charts, graphs, and other visual aids for presentations; speak in public.Working Conditions & Physical Demands
Physical DemandsOn an occasional to frequent basis, performs tasks such as transporting promotional materials, setting up display booths and participating in outdoor events requiring active movement, walking, standing, and lifting bulky items. When working within the office, physical demands include occasional lifting up to 25 lbs., bending, stooping, squatting and moving about the office. Requires frequent travel by car.
Working ConditionsGenerally clean work environment with limited exposure to conditions such as dust, fumes, odors, or noise. Computer monitor used on a daily basis. Requires occasional work outdoors with exposure to summer heat when staffing display booths at fairs. Travel throughout the District is required.
Special RequirementsPossession of a valid Class C California driver's license with an acceptable driving record is required.
The District requires employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with exemptions only as required by law. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or approved exemption is required prior to starting work. Proof of a COVID-19 booster is also required for booster-eligible employees in positions that are reasonably expected to visit customer or partner facilities in the regular course of their work.
IMPORTANT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:Applications must include all relevant education and experience to demonstrate the applicant meets the minimum qualifications for the position to which they are applying. Unless the applicant has no prior work experience, applications missing information in the "Employment History/Work Experience" section will be considered incomplete and rejected. Referencing a resume or answers to the supplemental application questions in this section is also not acceptable.
Applicants must attach a cover letter,
which cannot be substituted by a resume. Both the cover letter and answers to supplemental questions must be written by the applicant without the use of AI or internet sources.
The Air District offers a robust benefits package under the current resolutions and contracts including the following:
Health & WellnessCafeteria Plan
The District provides funding of up to 80% of the current Kaiser Family plan premium (up to $2,124/month in 2024).Medical Insurance -
The District offers a wide range of HMO and PPO health plans through CalPERS.Dental Insurance -
Basic Plan: 100% District paid for employees and their dependents. Enhanced Plan: Employee pays the difference in premium from the Basic plan.Vision Insurance -
District-paid coverage for employees.Flexible Spending Accounts -
Health and dependent care plans allowing employee pre-tax contributions of up to $3,050 and $5,000 per plan year, respectively.Life Insurance -
District provides $50,000 in coverage for employees. Voluntary plans are available for employee and family coverage.Long-Term Disability -
District-paid coverage, up to $9,000 per month, based on pre-disability earnings.Aflac -
Voluntary plans for cancer, accident, & specified health event.Post Employment
Retirement -
Employees contribute to the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) defined benefit plan. The benefit formula is 2% @ 55 for classic members and 2% @ 62 new members (membership began after 01/01/2013).457 Plan -
Voluntary tax-deferred retirement savings plan with a District match of up to $35 per pay period.Retiree Medical Insurance -
District retirees may be eligible to enroll in a CalPERS health plan with a District contribution.
COLAs & Incentives
Annual Cost of Living Adjustments -
2% to 4% per year based on changes in the consumer price index.Commute Allowance
up to $110 per month for use of approved alternate means of commuting to work, e.g., Regional Transit, carpool, bicycle, walking, zero-emission vehicle.Education Allowance -
up to $2,400 per year.Employee Assistance Plan
available for employees and members of their household.Uniform Allowance -
Up to $180 every 2 years for safety shoes for eligible employees.Management Differential
A 5% salary differential is provided to management employees.Flexible Work Arrangements
9/80 Schedule Option
Employees have the option to work a standard schedule of 8 hours a day 5 days a week, or a 9/80 working mostly 9-hour days with a day off every other week.Flexible Schedules
Employees may be allowed a work schedule that provides for starting and quitting times other than the standard 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Opportunity to Telework
Flexible telework schedules are available.Paid Time Off
Vacation -
12 days per year for the first 3 years, then 20 days to 27 days per year based on years of service.Sick Leave -
15 days per year.Holidays -
11 days per year.Administrative Leave -
10 days per year.Management Sick Leave Payout -
Sick leave may be accumulated without limitation and management employees will be paid one-half of accrued sick leave upon retirement unless such payment is waived. Sick leave is convertible to PERS retirement service credits.Vacation Leave Payout -
Unrepresented supervisors and managers may cash out vacation for the equivalent cash compensation each fiscal year in an amount not to exceed the cap or hours used during the year.
01
Have you completed major course work from an accredited four-year college or university in communications, public relations, environmental science, public or business administration, or journalism AND two years of full-time experience disseminating public information, including speaking before groups, civic organizations and public gatherings or any combination of training and experience that provides the desired knowledge and abilities?
YesNo
02
Describe your experience with the items listed below. A. Interfacing with community organizations, civic groups, businesses, public agencies and elected officials.B. Planning and promoting community workshops and public events. C. Your experience with providing public information to various audiences, which may include media. Writing for different mediums including websites, news releases, and collateral material. Please provide a writing sample you authored. D. Promoting your previous or current employer's successes or milestones.E. Writing, posting, and tracking social media. F. Graphic design and video shooting/editing. You have the option of providing samples.
Required Question
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Marketing and Sales
Industries
Environmental Services
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