Community Relations Specialist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Irvine Ranch Water District is currently accepting applications for a Community Relations Specialist in the Strategic Communications and Advocacy Department.

The deadline for the first review of applications is 10:00 AM on November 11, 2025. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit applications early. Candidates who submit applications after the first review deadline are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review deadline.

The District

Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com.

IRWD Values
Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.

IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.

The Position

Under direct supervision, performs a wide variety of community relations, communications, clerical, and administrative tasks for the Strategic Communications and Advocacy Department, including, but not limited to; organizing, leading, and executing events for the District; production of communication and community relations materials; coordinating, leading and executing outreach programs and school, public interest groups and visitor tours; and coordinating development of the department and subdepartment budgets along with processing department expense reports, contracts, and vendor payments.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Assists, leads, develops, and implements community outreach programs, as assigned by the External Affairs Manager, and coordinate with internal departments and staff relative to projects affecting the community.

Attends external meetings and events, as assigned, as a representative of the District within the community. Assist and coordinate community informational meetings. Arrange, assist, and lead tours of District facilities.

Assists, coordinates, and leads IRWD hosted and sponsored internal and external public events such as the IRWD Connect related events, Community Roundtable, Resident Tours, and other similar events for the department or District, as assigned. Assist in the development, implementation and managing of the Sponsorship Matrix and Tour/Speaker Matrix.

Assists, coordinates, and leads with the planning, design, staffing and set-up and break-down of displays and exhibits for community fairs, school programs, and other community and civic events. Attend and work such events, as needed.

Coordinates and implements educational programs for schools and other youth groups. Schedule, strategize, and lead education classes, programs, tours, and events.
Manages and coordinates public meeting room reservation applications for IRWD staff and public. This consists of processing applications, answering all calls, and managing the online meeting room calendars. Manage and implement the online Community Calendar.

Assists, coordinates, and leads the facilitation and coordination of meeting room setups for internal and external purposes.

Responds to customer inquiries and coordinate resolution of customer complaints regarding District services, programs, policies, and other related subjects and programs.

Assists, coordinates, and leads in the development, implementation and coordination of community relations and communication marketing and external outreach plans including assisting, coordinating and leading the planning and production of community relations and communications outreach, informational materials, and external publications.

Assists in the development, implementation and managing of various needed reports.

Assists with customer mailings such as construction outreach notices and Water Quality Reports.

Coordinates and assists Water Efficiency with conservation give-a-way items for Water Efficiency events.

Assists, coordinates, and leads in the preparation of annual departmental budgets. Manages the budget report and prepare contract documents associated with the Strategic Communications and Advocacy Department. Prepares contracts (in conjunction with Risk Management), purchase requisitions and review invoices prior to approval.

Processing expense reports for Communications and Community Relations. Assist and review Communication and Community Relations staff expense reports.

Assists with the coordination of the District's emergency preparation and emergency operation outreach program. Assist with Public Information activities during Emergency Operation Center activation.

Attends/works events, meetings, and functions outside the normal workday and on weekends as necessary.

Collaborates with other departments, employees, and others, engage with others in a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment where strong bonds are formed with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a team environment, employees work each day in the office or in the field, as appropriate.

Comply with and promote the District safety work-related practices.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Equivalent to an associate degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public administration, or business administration. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Five (5) years of community relations, and administrative support experience, with progressively increasing levels of responsibility, required. Water industry experience is highly desirable.

Knowledge of:

• Local government policies, operations, and procedures
• Communications and public relations principles and outreach strategies
• Copywriting, business writing, and editing principles.
• Budget preparation and administration - basic knowledge
• Research techniques and strategies

Ability to:

• Use of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel). Keyboarding abilities sufficient to perform the job, proficiently.
• Add, subtract, multiply, divide, and calculate percentages, decimals, and fractions.
• Communicate effectively with all levels. Effectively and professionally represent the District with outside professionals and the public. Ability to write, detail-oriented editing, and proofreading ability. Must be organized with the ability to multitask and make decisions independently.
• Use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions. Ability to remain calm in crisis and emergency situations. Ability to use discretion when handling and disseminating sensitive information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Regularly required to sit, walk, bend, stoop and stand. Occasionally required to lift up to 25 lbs. Must be able to sit for extended periods of time while performing tasks at a desk or workstation. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator, and to operate standard office equipment. Ability to reach for documents, supplies, or equipment at varying heights (within a standard office environment) and grasp them, including the use of filing cabinets or shelves. This is primarily a sedentary office classification, although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Occasional standing may be required. Some bending or stooping may be necessary to retrieve files or materials from lower shelves or desks. Good vision is necessary for reading documents, working with computer screens, and performing tasks that require fine detail. Ability to hear in a standard office environment for communication, phone calls, and meetings. Frequent verbal communication with team members, clients, and other stakeholders, including both in-person and virtual meetings, requiring clear speech and hearing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Noise level is generally equivalent to a typical office environment. The office is maintained at a comfortable room temperature. The office is equipped with air conditioning and ventilation systems designed to maintain comfortable indoor air quality. The work area is equipped with adequate artificial lighting, supplemented by natural daylight from windows where available. The employee will work primarily at a desk, using a computer and other office equipment. The office complies with standard safety regulations, including the use of fire exits, first aid kits, and emergency procedures. Employees are expected to adhere to safety guidelines. The office environment is free from significant environmental hazards such as chemicals, heavy machinery, or extreme weather conditions. Ability to work in an environment that may expose employees to hazardous materials and environment when conducting tours in the plant/field. Occasional visits to construction sites where noise level may be higher than in a typical office environment.

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

All applicants are required to complete and submit a District application form online and answer the supplemental questionnaire. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application. Resumes or faxed copies will not be accepted in lieu of the District online application. To apply, click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this page.

New users must create an account first. Click on this link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time: Online Employment Application Guide

Applications will be reviewed by the Human Resources Department and the subject matter expert. Those applicants possessing the most pertinent qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which will include:


Oral Interview Examination (tentatively scheduled for December 3rd and 4th, 2025): will evaluate the candidates' experience, training, education, and abilities in relation to those factors which are essential for successful performance on the job.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Irvine Ranch Water District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department for a reasonable accommodation.

IRWD offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits include the following: retirement benefits; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; and a variety of other benefits. Benefits may vary based on employment status. This benefits overview is intended to be a summary, is not intended to be all-inclusive, and may not be applicable to all employees.

Retirement
Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013:
The District, in compliance with the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2012 (PEPRA), implemented a third tier for new employees hired on or after January 1, 2013. New employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have not been in PERS membership or in membership with a reciprocal retirement system within 6 months of hire date will receive benefits under the California Public Employees Retirement System at a 2 percent at age 62 formula. This formula gradually increases to a maximum benefits of 2.5 percent at age 67. Final compensation calculations will be based on the highest three-year average of regular recurring pay. The District pays the employer's share of these costs. The employee share of the pension cost of 7.50% is paid in full by the employees hired under this formula.

Employees hired on or after September 29, 2012 or "Classic" PERS members hired on or after January 1, 2013:
On September 24, 2012, the IRWD Board of Directors approved the addition of a second tier to the CalPERS retirement benefits. New employees hired on or after September 29th through December 31, 2012, and employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have been in PERS membership or in membership with a reciprocal retirement system, will receive benefits under the California Public Employees Retirement System at 2 percent at age 60 formula. This formula gradually increases to a maximum benefit of 2.418% at age 63. The District pays the employer share of these costs and the employee share of the pension cost of 7% is paid in full by the employees hired under this formula. Final retirement compensation calculations are based on the highest three-year average of regular, recurring pay.

IRWD does not participate or pay into Social Security except for the Medicare portion.

Medical Insurance
IRWD contracts with CalPERS for medical insurance coverage. Employees may elect coverage from a variety of PPO and HMO plans. The employee and District contribution for health insurance varies by plan. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Dental Insurance
IRWD contracts with Delta Dental for dental coverage. IRWD pays 100% of the premium for dental coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Vision Insurance
IRWD contracts with the EyeMed for vision coverage. IRWD pays 100% of the premium for vision coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Life Insurance
Eligible employees are provided with life insurance coverage equal to three or four times their annual salary, depending on their level of compensation. Eligible dependents are also covered for a flat benefit amount. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Deferred Compensation
Participation in a deferred compensation plan is available through Empower Retirement. Enrollment is voluntary and contributions are employee-paid and subject to IRS limits. The District matches employee contributions up to 3% of base pay after 1 year of employment.

Paid Vacation
Eligible employees begin accruing vacation benefits at the rate of 80 hours per year for the first 5 years of employment. Employees accrue 120 hours per year after 5 years of employment and 160 hours per year after 10 years of employment.

Paid Holidays
The District offers 11 scheduled paid holidays plus one personal holiday per year.

Sick Leave
Eligible employees accrue 96 hours of sick leave annually.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Eligible employees may elect to participate in the District's Flex Advantage program. This program allows employees to deposit pre-tax dollars into special accounts to be used for a variety of purposes, including paying for qualified miscellaneous health care expenses and dependent care expenses. IRWD contracts with a third party administer to process payments from employee accounts using claim forms or a Flex Spending debit card.

Educational Assistance
The District will share in the pre-approved educational costs of tuition and books for employees who wish to attend college or take certification classes.

Closing Date/Time: 11/11/2025 10:00 AM Pacific

• 

• Irvine Ranch Water District

• (949) 453-5360

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