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Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority

Senior Communications Specialist / Communications Program Manager

Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, Riverside, CA


Salary: $104,817.74 - $147,752.62 Annually

Location : 11615 Sterling Avenue, Riverside

Job Type: Full-Time

Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid

Department: Administrative Services

Opening Date: 08/12/2024

Description

The level at which the position will be filled is at SAWPA's discretion and is based on candidate qualifications.

Senior Communications Specialist: $104,817.74 - $127,406.61
Communications Program Manager: $121,556.44 - 147,752.62

First review of applications is Monday, September 9, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. This recruitment may close at any time without notice.

Who we are:
SAWPA is a Joint Powers Authority that delivers regional water solutions supporting its member agencies. Employees at SAWPA have the unique opportunity to support regional plans, multi-benefit programs and projects that will protect the Santa Ana River basin water resources in an economically and environmentally responsible manner for today and future generations.

Application Submittal
Include the following with your application submittal:
  • Professional Resume
  • Cover letter detailing your specific administrative experience.
Applications received without the requested supporting materials above will not be considered.

The Position
We are excited to announce a unique recruitment opportunity for a communications professional to join our team at SAWPA. We have one vacancy that may be filled at either the Senior Communications Specialist or Communications Program Manager level, depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate.

This position will play a critical role in the development and execution of our internal and external communication strategies. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with SAWPA's administrative, planning, and engineering departments to create content and communicate across multiple media platforms to promote SAWPA's programs, activities, and objectives. The level at which this position is filled will determine the degree of responsibility and independence in carrying out these duties, ranging from routine to complex tasks with varying levels of direction within the framework of established SAWPA policies and procedures.

We are looking for a candidate who anticipates challenges, demonstrates awareness and responsiveness to our needs, and is ready to contribute to SAWPA's mission through effective communication.

All SAWPA employees are designated Disaster Service Workers pursuant to state law (California Government Code Sections 3100-3109) and are expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings and holidays as required to accommodate the Agency needs, in addition to responding as a Disaster Service Worker.

Supervision Received and Exercised:
Both classifications reports to and receives direction from the Administrative Services Manager and exercises no supervision. May provide direct or technical and functional direction to staff as assigned by the Administrative Services Manager.
Examples of Duties

Classification Specifications
Click on the hyperlinks below to view detailed job description for each position. These examples are illustrative of the various types of work which may be performed. 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 classification.

Typical Qualifications

Any combination equivalent to experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:
Experience:
  • Senior Communications Specialist: Minimum of five (5) years of related experience in marketing and/or communications, including at least two years focused on developing outreach for a diverse range of stakeholders, including underserved communities. Proven track record of managing social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram.
  • Communications Program Manager: At least eight (8) years of progressive experience in marketing and communications, with a minimum of four years in a managerial or leadership role. Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing outreach strategies for a wide range of stakeholders, including underserved communities. Proven success in overseeing and optimizing social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram at a strategic level.
Training/Education:
  • Senior Communications Specialist: Bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, or related field. Specialized training or experience in graphic design is desirable.
  • Communications Program Manager: Bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred. Advanced training or substantial professional experience in graphic design, with a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in visual communication and design principles.
License or Certificate: A valid California Class C driver's license, which must be maintained throughout employment with the agency; maintain a driving record acceptable to the Agency's automobile insurance provider.
Supplemental Information

The level at which the position will be filled is at SAWPA's discretion and is based on candidate qualifications.

First review of applications is Monday, September 9, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. This recruitment may close at any time without notice.

FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Click here to view a Detailed Benefits Sheet

Compensation
Employees are eligible for merit-based salary increases based on performance evaluations. Cost of living adjustments are implemented in accordance with Commission approval.

Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
Full-time employees and their eligible dependents are eligible to enroll in these benefits. SAWPA contributes up to predesignated limits (2024 limit: $2,057.56) toward the cost of medical, dental and vision insurance. Employees may choose between three medical plans:
  • Anthem Blue Cross PPO
  • Anthem Blue Cross HMO
  • Kaiser Permanente HMO
Delta Dental PPO and Vision Services plans provide dental and vision coverage for employees and their eligible dependents at no cost to the employee.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Administered by Anthem Blue Cross, the EAP is a no cost program that assists employees and their dependents with matters affecting their personal life and/or job performance. Topics include counseling, legal consultation, financial consultation, ID recovery, mental health, dependent care and daily living resources, and crisis consultation.

Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)
Available through Mutual of Omaha, this benefit provides coverage of 2x the annual salary (up to $250,000).

Long Term Disability Insurance (LTD)
Available through Mutual of Omaha, LTD provides up to 66 2/3% of the monthly salary for qualifying conditions.

Voluntary Life Insurance
Employees are eligible to purchase supplemental life insurance.

Flexible Spending (Healthcare and Dependent Care)
Employees are eligible to participate in a flexible spending plan, which provides the opportunity to pay for certain medical, dental, vision, and childcare expenses with pre-tax dollars, resulting in tax savings. Participation in the flexible spending plan is voluntary, with no employer contribution.

Holidays and Floating Holiday
Eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday per year.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees will accrue one (1) day of sick leave per month. One day is equivalent to nine (9) hours.

Vacation
For the first five (5) years of employment, full-time employees accrued nine (9) hours of vacation for each full month worked. Vacation accrual increases occur as described below:

Public Employees retirement System
SAWPA contracts with the Public Employees Retirement System of the State of California (CalPERS) to provide retirement benefits.
  • Classic Members shall be enrolled at 2% at 55. The employee pays 7% of their salary.
  • New Members (PEPRA) shall be enrolled at 2% at 62. Currently the employee pays 8% of their salary, subject to future increases as determined by CalPERS.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
Reference the SAWPA Personnel Handbook for eligibility details.
  • Alternative Workweek Schedules: 9/80s and 4/10s
  • Remote work may be available, depending on the position
  • Educational Reimbursement: Up-to $5,250.00 per calendar year
  • SAWPA qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit for more information.
  • Wellness Program: Up-to $150.00 per calendar year
  • Professional Memberships: up to $300.00 per fiscal year.
  • Free LinkedIn Learning and Target Solutions memberships that offer access to thousands of online courses.


01

Do you have a CA Class C driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No


02

Do you have a Bachelor's degree or higher in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field?
  • Yes
  • No


03

Do you have at least 5 years of increasingly responsible experience in marketing and/or communications, including at least two years focused on developing outreach for a diverse range of stakeholders, including underserved communities?
  • Yes
  • No


04

Do you have at least 8 years of progressive experience in marketing and communications, with a minimum of four years in a managerial or leadership role. Demonstrated expertise in developing and executing outreach strategies for a wide range of stakeholders, including underserved communities.
  • Yes
  • No


05

Do you have advanced training or substantial professional experience in graphic design, with a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in visual communication and design principles?
  • Yes - Advanced training
  • Yes - Basic training
  • No


06

Do you have proven success in overseeing and optimizing social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and Instagram at a strategic level.
  • Yes
  • No


Required Question