Education Required: Bachelors Degree
Travel Percentage: 20
     
Primary Role: The primary role of this position is to support dissemination of public information to customers and other stakeholders to improve the understanding the water system infrastructure, rates and supply situation in Monterey County. The selected candidate will develop, coordinate, implement and manage internal and external communications activities to increase knowledge and understanding of conservation and improve conservation practices among customers. The primary areas of responsibility include media relations, public relations, community relations, corporate responsibility and conservation outreach. This professional is poised to respond rapidly and tactically to unanticipated events and critical issues such as main breaks and other critical incidents, and is equally focused on providing proactive and strategic communications counsel and advice. The External Affairs Specialist is a critical communications resource maximizing the company's communications effectiveness, flexibility and responsiveness within the communities we serve. This professional has communications knowledge and experience with implementing communications programs. This role is responsible for identifying, developing, nurturing and sustaining strong and enduring relationships with the media not only unanticipated events but also proactively to leverage media coverage. This function ensures that California American Water is aligned with key community groups and organizations and that all customers have equal access to information on rates, conservation and water supply.
     
Key Accountabilities: Helps to supports the strategic communications needs

Provides communications counsel and ensures the effective implementation of external affairs and related communications activities.

Assists in the proactive development of communications materials/tactics that produce cost, time and resource efficiencies and consistent messaging.

Ensures wise budget management

Provides communications advice and recommendations to develop and sustain key relationships to manage and advance important communications objectives to these target constituencies.

Employs an awareness and knowledge of community resources and contacts; understands the attitudes and concerns of the community and establishes and maintains cooperative and effective relationships.

Assists in implementing communications strategies, tactics and activities to ensure ongoing, consistent and targeted communications before, during and after rate case filings.

Assists in creating and implementing proactive, coordinated and aligned media relations, public relations and community relations plans.

Assists in developing effective crisis plans and crisis communications materials.

Adheres to all budget management requirements.

Assists in monitoring internal/external business developments, as well as identifies connections between business activities and industry trends that may pose a threat or benefit to the company’s reputation.

Works closely with the External Affairs Manager to ensure that materials are anticipated, planned for and developed on a timely basis to meet the needs of operations.

Assists in developing and implementing communications activities in support of all California American Water business operations.

Assists in establishing and maintaining relationships with key media in the market and educates the media on issues of interest to California American Water.

Assists in developing, executing and measuring the effectiveness of media relations strategies to educate customers on infrastructure investment in support of the capital investment program.

Predicts and anticipates the needs of the news media/reporters and is cognizant of meeting these needs.

Assists in developing talking points and corresponding media materials and invitations to the media.

Assists in developing and implementing communications tactics in support of the company’s Corporate Responsibilities (CR) initiatives.

Helps to develop plans that anticipate and deliver ahead of needs.

Works with state and corporate legal teams to ensure consistent and appropriate language is in all materials.
     
Skills: Experienced coordinating communications activities

Has an unrelenting customer and market focus.

Is a highly accomplished writer.

Develops effective talking points

Develops and writes effective press releases; researches and develops white papers; supports the speech writing needs of the company; assists in drafting proposals; assists in developing compelling PowerPoint presentations.

Ability to operate with cross-cultural sensitivity and maintain the highest of ethical standards.

Possesses creativity, initiative, good judgment, and the ability to communicate thoughts clearly and simply.

Self-confident and an enthusiasm for motivating people with excellent relationship-building skills and savvy.

Flexible and adaptable to recognize others views and work in varied environments.

Self-motivated professional who can succeed both autonomously and as part of a team, with an ability to establish credibility, and support the organization's preferences and priorities.

Ability to deal with ambiguity and effectively manage multiple projects at one time and during an emergency situation.
   
Knowledge: Has a general knowledge of strategic communications.

Displays an understanding of the media and has the ability to assess a reporter’s focus/beat.

Is adept at developing and placing media materials including press releases, letters to the editor, and op-eds.

Confident in arranging editorial boards.
Possesses strong written and verbal communication skills.

Is knowledgeable of community-based organizations, the political background and agendas of these groups, and other grassroots initiatives.

Understands Reg FD disclosure requirements pertaining to publicly traded companies and understands the difference between material and non-material information.

Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks and produce quality materials while achieving results and meeting deadlines.

Demonstrated ability to prioritize and re-prioritize quickly.

Ability to multitask.

Has excellent and efficient working knowledge of PowerPoint, Word, Excel and Access databases.

Has ability to assist in planning and executing trade show and client hospitality events.

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, English, advertising or related field preferred, or demonstrated experience commensurate with the requirements of the position.

Three to five years of experience in public relations, media relations, media reporting, marketing and community relations in a fast-paced corporate and/or agency environment.

Candidates to apply directly via our website at www.amwater.com/careers 

SOURCE: PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL 01/31/12