Emerald Coast Utilities Authority Hiring for Education Programs Specialist at Pensacola, FL Full Time

JOB SUMMARY: S112

Designs, coordinates, markets and participates in proactive outreach and educational programs that support ECUA goals and objectives by representing ECUA to professional and community organizations, educational institutions, state and local agencies, public and private agencies, and individual customers and by implementing ECUA educational programs such as those in the areas of Recycling, Water Quality, Composting, and Fats, Oils, and Grease.

Performs a wide range professional and technical work involving the management of external communications focusing on utility-wide issues including customer education and community relations. Pro-actively develops and implements a variety of customer and local community programs which enhance and foster community confidence in the ECUA, its employees, and services. Prepares presentations for the Executive Director, Board of Directors, Executive Staff and other ECUA staff. Prepares internal and external reports as needed, such as in the area of the Fats, Oils, and Grease [FOG] Program and other ECUA environmental initiatives.

Prepares comprehensive and engaging presentations to present to local schools and community organizations in order to educate the community on ECUA’s environmental programs such as FOG, Recycling, and Composting and to share information about water quality and wastewater operations. Positioning ECUA as an engaged and caring member of the community and a protector of the environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Works with the Public Information Officer and Digital and Social Media Coordinator to develop major public information and customer and community relations/education programs, events and policies which enhance and foster community confidence in the ECUA, its employees, and services. Makes educational presentations to community groups; coordinates and sets up displays and exhibits at local events as required.

Develops and maintains contacts with and represents the ECUA in meetings with community groups and organizations, business leaders, and governmental representatives.

Coordinates communication and maintains contact with commercial food establishments in order to promote the FOG program and the Protector of the Environment award, issued quarterly. Key relationships and participation at community events is chosen strategically in order to encourage positive public image and achieve the goals of the utility with emphasis on environmental partnerships.

Coordinates the selection of RecycleStar candidates and the presentation of awards to RecycleStar winners each month.

Works with the Public Information Officer and Digital and Social Media Coordinator to research and write media releases, feature articles, scripts, and other material for newspapers, magazines, radio, and television programs. Emphasis on researching, developing and planning audience-relevant material and presentations with a goal of education and awareness concerning ECUA’s Recycling, FOG, and Composting programs as well as Water Quality and Wastewater operations.

Schedules and facilitates tours of ECUA facilities as needed.

Coordinates with Digital and Social Media Coordinator to share ECUA’s community involvement via digital and social media. This includes providing photos and videos of all relevant programming in a timely manner. Assists with video and photo production as required.

Works with the Public Information Officer and Digital and Social Media Coordinator to coordinate production of publications, slide shows, films, exhibits, and similar materials; reviews and approves work at various stages of production as appropriate.

Participates in various community organizations and projects as a representative of the ECUA. Gives talks and presentations to schools, clubs, and various civic and service organizations. Develops, plans, and delivers audience-relevant F.O.G awareness educational material and presentations, which highlight ECUA environmental initiatives for schools, community groups, civic organizations, and businesses.

Prepares and gives presentations to civic, and community groups, homeowners associations and other community groups on critical utility issues, shows film such as rates, special programs, customer service issues environmental issues, and conservation. Emphasis on development and implementation of educating the Commercial Food Industry and the public of the detriments of the discharge of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) to the sewage or storm water systems.

Plans, makes arrangements for, and participates in tours, conferences, meetings, exhibits, and other community-oriented events.

Uses video skills to prepare videos for community education and to videotape Board and Citizens Advisory Committee meetings. Uploads videos to website for public review. Video skills also needed to assist internal departments when necessary.

Coordinates external hurricane/emergency communications prior to and following hurricanes and other severe weather events.

Acts as a backup for Public Information Officer including sending out media releases and notices to the public such as Precautionary Boil Water Notices and Sanitary Sewer Overflow reporting.

Works as a team with PIO and Digital and Social Media Coordinator to ensure coordinated efforts and consistent messages to the public and to support positive public image.

All other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in journalism, communications, public administration, political science, public relations, marketing, or related field and five (5) years of relevant work experience, preferably in the utility industry or public/non-profit sector. (Educational documentation will be requested upon offer of employment.)

Any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:
Possession of a valid Driver License

Employment offers to all new hires are contingent upon the job candidates successfully passing background, motor vehicle and reference checks, drug screening, and post job offer physicals (that may include pulmonary testing). All applicants are subject to physical assessments as required by job.

Physical Requirements/Working Environment

Employee is regularly required to use hands, fingers and arms to hold, feel, or reach. Must be able to talk and hear. Visual requirements include close, color, peripheral, and depth perception.

The job requires moderate physical effort and involves frequently viewing a computer screen.

Employee works in a normal office environment with no unpleasant, disagreeable, or hazardous conditions.

Work may require some travel, announced or unannounced work and the ability to respond to call-out work during non-working hours or emergencies.

As a disaster team member, the employee is required to be available to work before, during, and after any disaster as directed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities/Supplemental Information

Knowledge of:
The principles, techniques, and methods of public information and community relations and of the methods of preparing informational materials and disseminating them through the various media.

Media relations and ability to establish and maintain working relationships with other professionals in the communications field.

English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary; English composition; graphic arts and printing methods, materials, and terminology; and the techniques of working with the public on an individual or group basis.

Photography and the operation of camera and video equipment.

Video production skills necessary.

Skill In:
Writing effective informational material for a variety of media.

Speaking effectively to various audiences with or without notes.

Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with the press, community groups, business leaders, and government representatives; and preparing original copy for releases to the media and other digital and print publication.

Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with Board Members, other agencies, and offices, and meeting and dealing with the general public in an effective, courteous, and cooperative manner.

Interpreting, explaining, and applying applicable laws, regulations, and policies; making sound decisions in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies; assembling and organizing complex data and preparing reports from such data.

Working knowledge of needed software and applications needed to perform your job including photo and video equipment and editing software, as well as Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Ability to:
Express technical and complex ideas and concepts simply, clearly, and concisely, either verbally or in written form.

Prepare and deliver effective presentations to civic, professional, and community groups.

Support the Public Information team as needed and provide reliable backup as needed, including evening and weekend work as required.

Plan and organize work, prepare schedules, and meet deadlines.

Learn new media software and/or techniques, which may include digital imaging, video, audio and other communication media. Video production skills.

Prepare costs estimates for design materials, write specifications and obtain vendor bids. Manage the inventory of promotional give-away items such as recycling bags, yard-waste compost bags, informational magnets, etc.

ECUA offers competitive benefit choices for full-time employees and their dependents.Benefits include, but are not limited to:• 10 Paid Holidays• Annual and Sick Leave• Health, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability Insurance• Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension Plan and Investment Plan options• Deferred Compensation Retirement Savings Plans• Tuition Reimbursement Program• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)• Company-supplied Uniforms (for qualifying positions)