Public Outreach Specialist

Please note, you need to submit your application before 11:59 p.m. on the date prior to the close date listed.

Thank you for your interest in this position.  Please note the following important tips for applying.

• All portions of the application must be completed in detail. Work history, applicable education, and answers to the supplemental questions are all required. Applications missing any one of these sections will be rejected as incomplete. Referral to a resume is not acceptable.

• Set aside some time to complete your application. The system is unable to save applications that are in progress, and once you have submitted the application you cannot reapply.

• We strongly recommend that you review all the information on your application for accuracy. Once an application is submitted, you will be unable to edit it.

• Submitted applications are not viewable. If you would like to keep a record of what you will be submitting, we suggest you type your responses to the questions in a Word document, then copy and paste the answers into the application then save the Word document. Typing questions in Word will also minimize typing/grammatical errors since this is not an option in the system.

NOTE: If you are a current employee, you MUST apply via the Career worklet in Workday and not through this site. If you submit an application on this site, it cannot be processed.

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general supervision, participates in planning, coordinating and implementing logistics for a wide variety of District, Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) and Springs Preserve public outreach and engagement programs, activities and special events; represents the organization and participates in events such as trade shows and meetings of business groups and community/homeowner associations to build and maintain community partnerships and promote programs and activities; serves as liaison with vendors to coordinate event arrangements; and performs related duties as assigned. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

Public Outreach Specialists perform a variety of public outreach and engagement duties to promote District/SNWA/Preserve conservation, construction and community partnership programs. Incumbents participate in planning and coordinating logistical arrangements for internal and external District/ SNWA/Preserve special events, conservation activities and promotions and serve as liaison with vendors and volunteers. Incumbents coordinate and participate in community outreach, customer service and partnership events and activities. Work requires initiative and creativity, good organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with managers, vendors, clients, sponsors and a variety of other stakeholders. Assignments are typically carried out within a framework of established policies and procedures. 

Public Outreach Specialist is distinguished from Public Outreach Coordinator in that incumbents in the latter class are responsible for planning, writing and implementing a variety of public outreach, awareness and education campaigns through traditional print and media channels as well as planning, implementing and participating in community outreach events and meetings. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class. 

Participates in planning, coordinating and implementing logistical arrangements for programs, special events and large meetings hosted by the District/SNWA/Preserve; serves as liaison with partners, participants, vendors and sponsors; coordinates arrangements for event staffing and volunteers; works with other agencies and facilities to ensure events meet permit and other requirements and conform with District goals and standards; participates in developing site plans/maps, room layouts and specific location assignments for vendors, sponsors, exhibitors, stages, etc.; orders food, equipment, materials and supplies in accordance with program and event plans and budgets; performs onsite troubleshooting and proactively resolves issues within scope of authority; participates in post-event debriefings and analysis of event details to identify lessons learned and areas for future improvement. 

Represents the District/SNWA/Preserve and its programs/projects with community partners; establishes and maintains agency relations and attends events, public meetings and other outreach activities; makes presentations when assigned and responds to or refers questions, requests for information and complaints to more senior staff; provides information and assistance regarding assigned programs and service areas; participates in promoting the organization’s mission and goals, building awareness and generating support for District/SNWA/Preserve programs and activities. 

Provides support and participates with other Public Services staff in developing outreach campaigns and strategies to promote water conservation partnerships; drafts materials, presentations and online communications for review; conducts assigned outreach activities to communicate and promote program purpose and objectives and to develop interest in mutually beneficial outcomes; stays alert for creative and innovative ways to achieve shared interests with optimal use of District/SNWA/Preserve facilities and environmental resources. 

Assists other Public Services staff with customer notifications and implementation of outreach plans; assists with drafting and distribution of communication materials including notifications to targeted businesses, homeowner associations and other stakeholders.  

OTHER DUTIES 

Develops, promotes and ensures fulfillment of program and event sponsorship packages. 

Attends professional and industry meetings and serves on industry/association committees and other groups on behalf of the organization. 

May coordinate and provide guidance to volunteers and interns assisting with assigned projects and activities. 

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Knowledge of: 

Practices, techniques and methods of outreach, public relations and customer service as applicable to assigned areas of responsibility; basic methods and techniques of project management; methods, techniques and terminology applicable to event planning and coordination; some understanding of principles, practices and methods for the development and maintenance of community partnerships; principles and practices of sound business and public communications; safety regulations and District safety policies applicable to employees and public venues; District policies, procedures and practices regarding the release of public information, public notification and recordkeeping; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation; basic human resources policies and procedures. 

Ability to: 

Apply established program/project management practices and methods in planning and coordinating logistical arrangements for a wide variety of program and event types; work with initiative, flexibility and attention to detail and exercise sound judgment within established guidelines and levels of authority; operate a computer using word processing and other standard software; apply critical thinking skills to anticipate and identify operational questions, issues and needs; evaluate alternatives and recommend effective solutions and courses of action; understand, interpret, explain and apply law and regulations applicable to areas of responsibility; present detailed information, ideas and recommendations clearly and persuasively to internal and external stakeholders; prepare clear, complete and accurate written materials and records; exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive issues and volatile people and situations; establish and maintain highly effective relationships with managers, staff, partners, consultants, vendors, and others encountered in the course of work. 

Training and Experience: 

A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in public relations, communications or a closely related field; and one year of responsible professional experience involving the implementation of community outreach programs and projects, including event planning and coordination experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. 

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements: 

A valid Nevada driver's license and ability to maintain insurability under the District's Vehicle Insurance Policy may be required for certain assignments. 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS 

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Physical Demands 

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to sit; talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate computers and other standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to walk and stand for extended periods of time. The employee regularly lifts up to 50 pounds. 

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, ability to distinguish colors and shades and the ability to adjust focus.  

Mental Demands 

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people, situations and conditions; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work under changing, intensive deadlines on multiple concurrent tasks with constant interruptions; and interact with managers, staff, partners, vendors, and others encountered in the course of work, often requiring the exercise of tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive issues and upset individuals. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

The employee typically works under normal office conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet. The employee is frequently required to work in outside conditions, exposed to hot, cold and/or wet weather and walking on uneven terrain. 

The employee may work a varied schedule including long hours, weekends and holidays as required by the events calendar.