Utilities Outreach Specialist

OPPORTUNITY

The City of Santa Maria is recruiting for a Utilities Outreach Specialist in the Utilities Department. Under general direction of an assigned supervisor, this position develops, plans, coordinates, administers, and evaluates the Utilities Department’s outreach and marketing campaigns throughout the community. Supervision is not normally a responsibility of this classification, but may act as lead worker for temporarily assigned employees, or special projects.

The Utilities Outreach Specialist position is an Individual Contributor role that provides marketing and outreach education. Their role enables Santa Maria residents to understand how to protect the environment through stormwater pollution prevention and recycling properly.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Utilities Department provides water, sewer, refuse collection, and disposal services to the growing City of Santa Maria, which is located on the beautiful Central Coast of California. The mission of the Utilities Department is to provide efficient utility services through the use of progressive innovation, excellent customer service, and the wise use of public resources for the long-term benefit of the community.

To excel in the Utilities Outreach Specialist role, the ideal candidate will possess a minimum of two years of proven success in community outreach. This experience should encompass a deep understanding of engaging diverse audiences, including the general public, community members, and key stakeholders. Preferred qualifications include a strong background in outreach material development, designing and implementing successful marketing campaigns, and expertise in managing various communication platforms to effectively promote services and initiatives. The candidate will be a highly organized and results-driven individual with the ability to balance priorities and shifting demands. Customer service skills, recordkeeping, and budgeting are essential to prosper in this role.

• Online application
• Cover letter that aligns your experience and background to the Ideal Candidate Statement

DUTIES

These duties are a representative example; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and organization. This position:

• Develops, plans, coordinates, administers, and evaluates the Utilities Department’s outreach and marketing campaigns throughout the community.
• Develops strategies, schedules, and methods for providing marketing, communications, and promotions; develops and procures promotional materials for campaigns.
• Forecasts financial needs and participates in the preparation of campaign budgets; monitors expenditures in conformance with established guidelines.
• Develops performance measures for programs and prepares analytical and statistical reports on marketing, communications and other campaign outcomes.
• Attends events; assesses community needs and program fulfillment; coordinates with other City departments and community organizations to publicize events.
• Researches, writes and publishes content for various City communications; manages the department’s social media presence and other electronic and other communications formats.
• Supports and collaborates effectively with other City departments.
• Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of writing, communications, graphics, and public information methods.
• Scope of assigned area will depend on departmental structure and is at the discretion of the department director.
• Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

Individual Contributor

Incumbents should have a solid foundation of the Individual Contributor Competencies identified by the organization to be essential:

• Team Player - Effective performers are team oriented, share resources, respond to requests, and support a spirit of cooperative effort.
• Customer Orientation - Effective performers are in touch with community needs and review the organization through the eyes of Santa Maria residents. They go out of their way to anticipate needs.
• Integrity - Effective performers think and act ethically and honestly, take responsibility for their actions and foster a work environment where integrity is rewarded.
• Communicativeness - Effective performers recognize the essential value of continuous information exchange and the competitive advantage it brings. They actively seek information from a variety of sources and disseminate it in a variety of ways. They use modern technologies to access and circulate information, even across great distances. They take responsibility for ensuring that their people have the current and accurate information needed for success.
• Initiative - Effective performers are proactive and take action without being prompted. They do not wait to be told what to do or when to do it. They see a need, take responsibility, and act on it. They make things happen.
• Composure - Effective performers maintain emotional control, even under ambiguous or stressful circumstances, and demonstrate emotions appropriate to the situation.
• Functional/Technical Expertise - Effective performers are knowledgeable and skilled in a functional specialty (e.g., finance, public works, planning, information technology, human resources, etc.), and remain current in their area of expertise.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making - Effective performers identify problems, solve them, act decisively, and show good judgment.
• Learning Agility - Effective performers continuously seek new knowledge, are curious, learn quickly, and use new information effectively.
• Drive/Energy - Effective performers have a high level of energy and are ambitious and passionate about their role. They have stamina and endurance to maintain a fast pace.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ideally, two years of increasingly responsible experience in the marketing, communications, and promotions field related to environmental or utilities programs for public agencies; and

• Graduation from high school.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, graphic design, journalism, or a related field is desired.
• Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as:
  • Utilities Department operations, services, campaigns, and marketing objectives.
  • Modern trends in marketing and promotion of public agency programs.
  • Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to marketing.
  • Budget preparation and control.
  • Procurement practices related to equipment and supplies.
  • Copywriting and editing of printed electronic media products.
  • Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent).
  • Use computer and other office equipment effectively.
• Desired licenses and/or certifications associated with the assignment.

SELECTION PROCESS

• Possession of a valid and appropriate Driver License. Must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record and meet City liability requirements to drive for City business.
• Requires completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the City.
• The incumbent must meet the physical requirements of the job class and have mobility, balance, coordination, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed.

• May require completion of a pre-employment physical to the satisfaction of the City.
• Reasonable accommodation(s) for an individual with a qualified disability will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The following benefits vary by bargaining unit. For full benefit information please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding or compensation resolution available at https://www.cityofsantamaria.org/services/departments/human-resources/salary-group-agreements.

Retirement
The City of Santa Maria is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Your benefit factor is determined by the retirement formula, age, service credit and final compensation. Based upon your bargaining unit and hire date the benefit factor will vary.