Visual Communications Analyst
Irvine Ranch Water District - Irvine, California, United States, 92713Work at Irvine Ranch Water District
Overview
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Overview
This position is open until filled, with a first applications review date of August 12, 2024.
The District
Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com.
IRWD offers excellent benefits and a 9/80 work schedule - with alternate Fridays off.
The Position
Under general supervision, this position will employ a variety of visual, written, and verbal communication skills to transform ideas and concepts into engaging customer outreach.The position is responsible for creating marketing and public outreach materials including creative and innovative visual communications which will include use of strong layout, design, graphic animation, art direction, and video production skills. The position will also write and edit for District publications, documents and notifications.
Ideal Candidate
Irvine Ranch Water District is looking for a versatile communicator who has a rare mix of skills and enjoys using all of them. The ideal candidate will possess a balance of verbal and visual skills — including writing, messaging, video editing, and graphic design. He or she will be experienced in public outreach and passionate about engaging with the community. The person hired for this position will be part of a small, close-knit team of communications professionals, including outreach strategists, writers, a digital communications expert, and a graphic designer/photographer.
Responsibilities:
Visuals, Design, Layout and Visual Content Creation:
Translate complicated concepts into engaging, easy-to-understand visual communications. Employ creativity and innovation to create a variety of captivating graphic, art and visual components for print and digital outreach and marketing materials on a variety of communication channels. Such materials will include videos, digital animation, social media content, newsletters, signs, postcards, brochures, posters, fliers, charts, displays, maps, presentations, and marketing products. Conceive and interpret ideas and concepts, convert them into visual communications in draft form, present them for review; make revisions and develop a final product. Prepare files for web production, press or other production.Branding and Outreach:
Execute or lead the visual branding for District outreach campaigns — using a variety of media and collaborating with staff, consultants, and vendors.Content Development and Distribution:
Serve as a writer, content creator and editor for external and internal outreach materials such as websites, intranet, presentations, press releases, and other collateral as needed. Write, develop, and coordinate content for District newsletters, and coordinate their production. Collaborate with producers of targeted websites, newsletters, and other publications in the community and in the water industry to maximize the reach and effectiveness of District information content.Message Development, Media Outreach, and Crisis Communication:
Develop and distribute effective communications that build brand awareness and customer satisfaction. Craft and deliver emergency communications, news releases, and talking points as needed. Contribute to the development of media and crisis communications content and messages. Monitor and compile relevant daily news reports for distribution. Respond to media inquiries as directed.Community Outreach Events and Engagement:
Coordinate and execute events as needed. Research and recommend opportunities for events and community partnerships. Develop marketing materials and manage advertisements. Anticipate and respond to customer questions and concerns. Organize, set up, and staff community events and tours, which often will occur outside of normal business hours, such as evenings, mornings, and weekends. Organize events as needed. Create or order event materials as needed.Emergency Response and Crisis Communication:
Respond with prompt communication and other public outreach when local emergencies occur. Serve as a backup to the Public Information Officer and Deputy Public Information Officer as a media spokesperson when required, conducting press briefings, and responding with media inquiries.Other Responsibilities:
The Visual Communications Analyst is part of a small, multi-talented communications department and will pitch in as needed on a variety of tasks and projects. Lead or assist with outreach to students and schools. Serve as a department representative on inter-departmental teams. Participate in tours, trips and other tasks and attend meetings and functions on behalf of the District outside of the normal workday, including occasionally on evenings, early mornings, and weekends as necessary. The person hired for this position may occasionally work late hours, early hours, weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays as required for events, emergencies, and other District needs. Inspire excellence as a participant or leader of team projects. Comply with District safety practices and attend relevant safety training. Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
Public relations and communication practices; principles, methods and techniques of graphic design, illustration, and art/copy layout; video production and editing; computer graphics programs and software, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.); social media and digital marketing (programs, image sizing, best practices, etc.); photo editing; contemporary graphic design trends and practices; standard customer service techniques and practices; crisis-communications techniques; project management; and effective oral presentation.Ability to:
Create, develop, produce, and evaluate graphic designs, brochures, displays and other publications; write and edit materials of varying technical complexity; transform complex concepts into practical, easy-to-understand formats; create inspiring slogans and engaging headlines; evaluate work to be done and recommend strategies to accomplish project tasks; use time efficiently, including multi-tasking and prioritizing diverse projects and requests.Must be:
Creative, productive, proactive, and enthusiastic about new ideas, with a passion for public service and environmental stewardship.
Education:
A combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, graphic design, communications, marketing, or related field. Work experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. For degrees obtained outside the U.S., an official equivalency evaluation is required.
Experience:
Five (5) years of experience in a communications or related position where written, verbal, visual and design skills were used daily, including strong video editing, digital animation, layout, design, and social media outreach skills. A familiarity with copy editing is needed.
License:
Valid California Class 'C' driver's license is required.
IRWD Corporate Values
Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.
IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.
The physical and mental demands described below 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.
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication
Excellent verbal, written, and public speaking communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with diverse internal and external audiences and age groups. Effectively and professionally represent the District with outside professionals and the public. Writing, detail-oriented editing, and proofreading ability. Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics. Organized with the ability to multi-task and make decisions independently. Ability to write and/or speak Mandarin Chinese or Korean is a strong plus.
Mathematical Ability:
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and calculate percentages, decimals, and fractions.
Technology Ability
Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.); intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; familiarity with social media outreach programs, photo editing, website management and graphic programs; ability to use the internet to conduct research. Digital animation skills, multimedia graphic design skills, and familiarity with content management systems (CMS) are strong plusses.
Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
Ability to use good personal judgment and discretion in all job functions and remain calm in crisis and emergency situations. Ability to use discretion when handling and disseminating sensitive information. Ability to independently manage and organize projects effectively.
Physical Requirements
Regularly required to sit, bend, stoop, and stand. Regularly required to lift up to 25 pounds, such as when setting up and taking down displays for special events, or when moving supplies onto and off of storage shelves. Ability to walk up to three (3) miles when conducting tours and events.
Environmental Adaptability
Noisy environments may occur during community events or construction sites where noise level may be higher than typical office environments.
Disaster Service Worker:
In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
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