Communications Specialist

THE POSITION

Communications Specialist

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and our dynamic team of professionals seeks a motivated Communications Specialist to provide support to the Communications and External Partnerships team.

Under the general direction of the Communications Director, this position will be responsible for community relations and will serve as TRPA’s goodwill ambassador in support of the Agency’s community engagement pillar of the strategic plan. The position includes representing the Agency at environmental education and public events; writing and editing agency materials; managing TRPA’s web site and social media channels; supporting TRPA’s Environmental Improvement Program; working with TRPA staff to promote Agency programs; responding to public information inquiries; and implementing the Agency’s strategic communications plan.

Overall Roles and Responsibilities

• Research and write agency Enewsletters, Tahoe In Depth articles, brochures, speeches, employee communication emails, media releases and other materials.
• Serve as the Agency’s goodwill ambassador in support of TRPA’s community engagement pillar of the strategic plan. This function includes being TRPA’s official representative at community events and speaking publicly on behalf of the agency at conferences and events.
• Serve as TRPA’s social media manager: handle all agency social platforms including Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
• Use design skills to update ad, brochure, and plan templates and create social media posts.
• Create videos showcasing the agency’s project and programs.
• Oversee and contribute to cross-agency partnership committees.
• Continually improve and manage the Agency’s web site by overseeing posting of news items, meeting notices, agendas, minutes, etc.
• Assist with presentations needed by the Executive Director, Communications Director, and other staff.
• Develop and execute environmental education curriculum in coordination with Agency partners.
• Assist with development of community outreach plans and media relations in cooperation with TRPA program managers, Public Information Officer and the Communications Director that meet the specific needs of the program, e.g. water quality, air quality, recreation, etc. and perform tasks to implement the outreach programs.
• Administer TRPA’s Lake Spirit awards program and assist with the Best in Basin Awards and other recognition programs as appropriate.
• Support legislative affairs functions including outreach to federal, state, and local officials in collaboration with the Government Affairs Manager and Communications Director.
• Work with internal technical staff to translate complex, scientific information into easily understood documents.
• Other duties and tasks, as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, environmental education, communications, public relations, public affairs, English, or closely related field.
• Minimum of 7 years recent experience in the communications, media, environmental education or public relations/public affairs fields, to include:
  • Experience writing and editing copy for a variety of platforms, including press releases, newsletters, social media, and website content.
  • Experience creating content and managing social media channels for public outreach and engagement.
  • Experience with video production and other audio-visual disciplines.
  • Experience organizing community outreach events and interfacing with diverse audiences.
  • Experience collaborating with multiple organizations to execute public communication strategies.
  • Project management experience a plus.
  • Graphic design experience a plus.
• Ability to speak Spanish highly desirable.

 Required Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent journalistic writing and editing skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Mail Chimp, Outlook, Adobe Creative Suite, and Wordpress.
• Effective in public speaking and presentations.
• Skilled in graphic design and video production
• Demonstrated experience implementing social media campaigns, web site design, and maintenance.
• Ability to write about environmental issues, particularly watersheds and other technical matters
• Training or experience with group facilitation techniques.
• Good listening and interpersonal skills, and ability to build strong relationships with a variety of constituents inside and outside the agency.
• Ability to move quickly from one task to another and be adaptable to changing priorities.
• Demonstrates initiative and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrates influence skills in dealing with all levels and ability to quickly establish credibility and trust.
• Able to influence and motivate via oral and/or written communication.
• Comfort operating in a fast-paced environment and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work independently or in a team setting.
• Ability to interact with the public in a positive, non-confrontational manner. Capacity to manage conflict to an effective and positive outcome.
• Organizational savvy to build allies and relationships across the TRPA programs and with partner agencies. Uses allies to build consensus and create results, is appropriately diplomatic, understands others’ roles and perspectives, and promotes projects and ideas across the Agency and the Tahoe Basin.

Physical and Mental Demands

Physical Demands: The essential function of the position requires the mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, mouse and keyboard; this position also works in the field (outside) and requires walking job sites, inspecting buildings, and other structures. May require frequent sitting, occasional standing and walking between work areas and property inspections may be required; driving to and from job sites; repetitive use of both hands, light grasping with dominant hand, finger dexterity in both hands is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard and to operate standard office equipment; visual acuity to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the phone or computer virtual software platform; occasional bending, stooping, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; lifting/carrying, pushing/pulling of 25lbs or less.

Mental Demands:  The essential functions of the position requires the ability to read and write both simple and complex material, perform simple and complex math calculations, and the ability to perform simple and complex tasks; complete forms, perform clerical tasks, analyze, synthesize and compile information, supervise, instruct and influence others; work with precision, follow instructions, meet time requirements, memorization and problem solving skills, and use of independent judgment.  This position also requires the ability to verbally engage with a variety of individuals in person and/or over the phone and email and may involve heated discussion/disagreements and the ability to resolve conflicts.

Working Conditions 

Work is performed in both an office environment with moderate noise, lighting and temperature conditions, and outside field work with exposure to heat, cold, wind, sun, uneven surfaces, and slippery surfaces and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Work includes the use of computer equipment. Work may be performed alone, with others, around others, and with verbal and face-to-face contact.  Work may include extended days.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range is $83,168 to $124,752. Starting pay generally starts at the minimum of the range ($83,168) with some flexibility, depending on experience.

TRPA’s excellent employee benefits package includes the following:

• 27 days Paid Time Off (PTO) annually for sick and personal time away. Accruals increase with longevity.
• 80 hours of Management Time Off (MTO). Prorated based on hire date.
• 13 paid holidays annually.
• Money Purchase Pension Plan – in lieu of Social Security, the Agency contributes a dollar amount equal to eight percent of your annual salary towards your retirement. This plan has immediate participation and 100% vesting.
• Supplemental Retirement Plan – the Agency contributes a dollar amount equal to seven percent of your annual salary towards your retirement. This plan has immediate participation and 100% vesting.
• Group Health Insurance: Medical, Dental, and Vision.
• A choice of four (4) medical plans, with 100% employer- paid premiums on select employee-only coverage plans and partial coverage for dependents.
• High Deductible Health Plan with a contribution by TRPA to the employee’s HSA account.
• Employer Paid Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability.
• Long-Term Disability (Voluntary).
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan (Voluntary).
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (Voluntary).
• Dog-friendly employer.

THE AGENCY

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA)—created in 1969 by a Compact between the states of Nevada and California, then ratified by the U.S. Congress—protects and restores the environment of Lake Tahoe. The Agency is the nation’s first Bi-State regional environmental authority. TRPA is a one-of-a-kind government organization, not purely federal, state, or local. The Agency works in harmony with private and public interests to protect and restore Lake Tahoe, its environment, and its communities for generations to come.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Please visit our website at https://www.trpa.gov/contact/employment/ to read more about our Agency and to complete an employment application through our Career Center. Within the Career Center site, select the "Apply for Job" link. Please attach a resume of your qualifications, and cover letter describing your interest in the position in one document when you are completing the application.
• RECRUITMENT COMMUNICATION: Human Resources may contact you at various stages of the recruitment process if you meet the qualifications for the position. This contact will be via email or phone only.  Please make sure your email address and phone number are accurate.
• We do not accept walk-in or hand delivered application materials nor applicant calls regarding open, pending, or closed positions.

TRPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We respect and seek to empower each individual and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills, and experiences within our workforce.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

Salary : $83,168 - $124,752