The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties, locations, and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this job. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description, and incumbent(s) may be required to perform work-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description. This job description is not a “contract” between the employee and the Authority. The job duties and essential functions may be changed at the discretion of the General Manager.

At DC Water, we provide more than 700,000 District of Columbia residents and 24.6 million annual visitors with essential water, wastewater, and stormwater services. DC Water also provides wholesale wastewater treatment services for 1.8 million people in Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland, and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia. We aspire to be known for superior service, ingenuity, and stewardship to advance the health and well-being of our diverse workforce and communities. To achieve this vision, we commit to our shared mission every day—exceeding expectations by providing high quality water services in a safe, environmentally friendly, and efficient manner.

The Sr. Specialist, Community Affairs serves a critical role in the Office of Marketing and Communications’ response to any DC Water emergency or significant service disruption. Responsible for informing the public of DC Water construction activities through project information sheets, press materials, technical briefs, educational materials and online social media. Work will include responding to questions and concerns of DC Water customers, community leaders, government officials and other key stakeholders, and promoting the overall mission of DC Water. Responsible for proportionate share of public outreach during city events, public meetings, government agency meetings, and other opportunities to communicate the Authority’s current and upcoming construction projects. Work will require maintaining knowledge of construction techniques and technologies, and general familiarity with DC Water’s other work.

• Manages all construction outreach activities and responsibilities, inclusive of the following:
• Works closely with the Department of Engineering and Technical Services (DETS) in the creation of detailed project information sheets for each Capital Improvement construction project. This is typically done between 30-120 days prior to the start of construction on the project. 
• Once the project information sheets are finalized, please email them to the affected community stakeholders. This includes area residents, Ward representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services, Ward Councilmembers, and local Advisory Neighborhood Commissions and Civic Associations. 
• Coordinate with DETS on the hand delivery of printed project information sheets to each directly impacted customer on the project footprint at least two weeks prior to the start of project construction. 
• Coordinate on dissemination of project information sheets via U.S. postal mail. 
• Post the project information on the DC Water website – www.dcwater.com/projects.
• Regular review, revision and/or deletion of project information posted on the website. 
• Schedule any project presentations or briefings requested by any of the community stakeholders. In this capacity, the incumbent will be responsible for creation of the presentation materials, coordinating the project team for each meeting, and will also lead the discussion during the presentation. 
• Serve a critical role as community liaison for all phases of each project, from project site mobilization to site restoration. In this role, all community inquiries and concerns regarding the projects will be directed to the incumbent. From there, he or she will work closely with DETS in coordinating responses for follow-up. 
• For each project, attends regularly scheduled bi-weekly construction progress meetings with project management staff to discuss the status of ongoing construction projects and any outstanding community outreach issues in need of resolution.
• Primarily responsible for resolution of customer concerns regarding construction projects and routine infrastructure repairs received via email and telephone correspondence, DC Water’s social media platforms, neighborhood list serves, community stakeholders (primarily Council staff and Advisory Neighborhood Commissions), and through other reporting DC Water departments including Customer Service, DETS and Office of the C.E.O. and General Manager.
• In addition to the above standardized roles and responsibilities, look to other innovative ways of publicizing construction projects, while educating community stakeholders and members of the public on the need for these projects in revitalizing the district’s aging water and sewer infrastructure. This could include (but should not be limited to): Creative use of DC Water’s social media platforms; creation of “Frequently Asked Questions” informational handouts; hosting public meetings and other similar forums dedicated to specific projects with substantial or controversial impacts to customers as deemed necessary; and posting project information onto neighborhood list serves. 
• Provides outreach support to various departments inside DC Water, including Marketing and Communications, Engineering and Technical Services (DETS), and Customer Service (CS), specifically in matters of construction outreach.
• Consults on press materials and social media content providing updated information on a variety of issues relative to DC Water (primarily construction outreach related matters).
• Provides recommendations to OMAC senior management staff regarding the development and formulation of policies and procedures that impact DC Water programs.
• Participates in a proportionate share of public outreach events and meetings hosted and/or attended by DC Water, which will often require working both after hours on weekdays, and during weekends. Other critical roles in this regard include assistance in scheduling pre-event site visits, coordinating detailed logistics for event team members, and serving as a day-of event point-of-contact on site.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned at the discretion of the immediate supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Key Working Relationships: Maintains close contact with DETS and the Department of Government Affairs. Interfaces with appropriate officials of local jurisdictions, as well as vendors, who prepare outreach materials under the direction of the incumbent.

The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for an individual to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable amounts of training are provided.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

*The work environment characteristics described in the physical requirements section of the required skills & qualifications table are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities. 

At DC Water, our people make us an industry leader. Join a group of thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers focused on protecting life’s most precious resource in the nation’s capital.

• Take pride in your work. We provide an essential service and do work that matters. A career at DC Water is an exciting opportunity to help improve the environment and make a lasting difference for the community.

• Connect to a strong culture. Everything we do is grounded in our shared values—accountability, trust, teamwork, customer focus, safety, and wellbeing.

• Be your true self. We are an inclusive organization that embraces diversity, and we recognize and celebrate employees’ individuality and unique contributions.

• Build your skills and career path. We are committed to developing a future-ready workforce by helping our employees develop skills for the jobs of tomorrow. 

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against “qualified individuals with disabilities”.

If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to

perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please

email complianceada@dcwater.com.