Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
Public Affairs & Communications Manager
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, Calabasas, California, United States, 91302
Under general supervision of the Director of External Affairs, the Public Affairs & Communications Manager leads the planning, development, and execution of public information, outreach, media and government relations, and educational campaigns that support the District's mission, vision, and operational priorities. The Public Affairs & Communications Manager serves as the District's Public Information Officer (PIO).
Application Instructions Please include your cover letter and resume, in addition to completing the application in full.
Interview Schedule The recruitment process will consist of an application review, 1st round structured interview, and 2nd round interview. Tentative dates:
December 1-4, 2025
for Round 1;
December 8-11, 2025
for Round 2. Candidates will be notified of their status via e‑mail.
Responsibilities Plans, coordinates, and manages the activities of the Public Affairs & Communications Division, including media engagement, public education, community outreach, content development for internal and external publications, and social media. Develops, monitors, and administers the division budget.
Designs and implements programs, events, and services to enhance communication and engagement between the District, community, stakeholders, and the public.
Serves as District spokesperson with print and electronic media, consults with executive staff on communication strategies, and manages media contacts. Conducts, coordinates, and directs the preparation of news releases, opinion pieces, letters to the editor, and other communications.
Leads crisis communications planning and strategy, including developing, compiling, disseminating, and monitoring information during a crisis or emergency.
Plans and manages community outreach and school education programs; networks with other water districts to coordinate advocacy and outreach messages.
Provides communications and public relations support to the District’s legislative and government affairs program, developing strategies for engaging legislators and monitoring legislation.
Responds to information requests from public, media, and legislators; interprets and communicates complex issues to audiences with limited technical knowledge.
Directs and participates in the development of internal and external publications, including brochures, flyers, reports, videos, and multimedia presentations; prepares written materials for Board, executive staff, and District managers.
Develops effective working relationships with external entities to promote the District’s interests and priorities.
Interviews and recommends selection of candidates; establishes performance expectations and standards, oversees employee development, conducts evaluations, and recommends disciplinary actions.
Remains current on developments in communications technologies, water, wastewater, and biosolids industry technology, politics, and emerging issues; makes recommendations for action where appropriate.
Demonstrated Knowledge and Performance
District operations, functions, programs, services, policies, and strategic priorities
Laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to public affairs and governmental affairs
Best practices for designing and implementing effective public information and community outreach programs
Emergency public information procedures and crisis management communications
Basic water, wastewater, and biosolids composting operations and practices
Personnel management, mentorship, and leadership practices
Modern communication platforms, design tools, and digital engagement strategies
Ability To
Plan, coordinate, and manage a broad range of public affairs and communications activities
Read, understand, and communicate complex technical information to non‑technical audiences
Research and identify reliable sources of information to support communication objectives
Organize and prioritize work to meet changing deadlines and priorities; direct others to meet goals
Design and administer effective public information and community outreach programs using innovative media methods and materials
Develop and disseminate clear, engaging content with consistent, timely messaging
Deliver presentations to diverse audiences with varying informational needs
Hire, train, supervise, coach, and evaluate employees
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
Exercise sound judgment and initiative
Maintain current industry knowledge of best practices, methods, and technology in public affairs and communications
Operate office equipment, including computers, email, database, graphic design, video/sound, and digital engagement software
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, the public, government agencies, community organizations, and special interest groups
Physical and Sensory Requirements
Sufficient eyesight to read fine statistical reports and standard text on computer screens
Ability to speak and hear at normal conversational levels in person and over the telephone
Manual dexterity to write legibly and use computer terminal and general office machines
Ability to lift and carry up to approximately twenty‑five pounds; reach, bend, or crouch to use files and records
Ability to travel to different sites and locations
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
Education Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public relations, communications, journalism, public administration, or a closely related field.
Experience Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience performing professional tasks in the development and implementation of public information and community outreach programs, with at least two (2) years in a supervisory capacity.
Required Certifications, Licenses, and Registrations A valid California class C driver’s license must be maintained at all times.
It is the policy of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District to ensure equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical impairment, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, or age (except where a bona fide occupational qualification applies). The District will act to ensure equal treatment in all employment matters, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, discipline, compensation, assignment, benefits, training, and layoff practices. The same policy applies to all qualified veterans, disabled veterans or other persons with disabilities capable of performing a particular job with reasonable accommodation.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance in the selection process, please notify the Human Resources Division in writing upon applying.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Application Instructions Please include your cover letter and resume, in addition to completing the application in full.
Interview Schedule The recruitment process will consist of an application review, 1st round structured interview, and 2nd round interview. Tentative dates:
December 1-4, 2025
for Round 1;
December 8-11, 2025
for Round 2. Candidates will be notified of their status via e‑mail.
Responsibilities Plans, coordinates, and manages the activities of the Public Affairs & Communications Division, including media engagement, public education, community outreach, content development for internal and external publications, and social media. Develops, monitors, and administers the division budget.
Designs and implements programs, events, and services to enhance communication and engagement between the District, community, stakeholders, and the public.
Serves as District spokesperson with print and electronic media, consults with executive staff on communication strategies, and manages media contacts. Conducts, coordinates, and directs the preparation of news releases, opinion pieces, letters to the editor, and other communications.
Leads crisis communications planning and strategy, including developing, compiling, disseminating, and monitoring information during a crisis or emergency.
Plans and manages community outreach and school education programs; networks with other water districts to coordinate advocacy and outreach messages.
Provides communications and public relations support to the District’s legislative and government affairs program, developing strategies for engaging legislators and monitoring legislation.
Responds to information requests from public, media, and legislators; interprets and communicates complex issues to audiences with limited technical knowledge.
Directs and participates in the development of internal and external publications, including brochures, flyers, reports, videos, and multimedia presentations; prepares written materials for Board, executive staff, and District managers.
Develops effective working relationships with external entities to promote the District’s interests and priorities.
Interviews and recommends selection of candidates; establishes performance expectations and standards, oversees employee development, conducts evaluations, and recommends disciplinary actions.
Remains current on developments in communications technologies, water, wastewater, and biosolids industry technology, politics, and emerging issues; makes recommendations for action where appropriate.
Demonstrated Knowledge and Performance
District operations, functions, programs, services, policies, and strategic priorities
Laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to public affairs and governmental affairs
Best practices for designing and implementing effective public information and community outreach programs
Emergency public information procedures and crisis management communications
Basic water, wastewater, and biosolids composting operations and practices
Personnel management, mentorship, and leadership practices
Modern communication platforms, design tools, and digital engagement strategies
Ability To
Plan, coordinate, and manage a broad range of public affairs and communications activities
Read, understand, and communicate complex technical information to non‑technical audiences
Research and identify reliable sources of information to support communication objectives
Organize and prioritize work to meet changing deadlines and priorities; direct others to meet goals
Design and administer effective public information and community outreach programs using innovative media methods and materials
Develop and disseminate clear, engaging content with consistent, timely messaging
Deliver presentations to diverse audiences with varying informational needs
Hire, train, supervise, coach, and evaluate employees
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
Exercise sound judgment and initiative
Maintain current industry knowledge of best practices, methods, and technology in public affairs and communications
Operate office equipment, including computers, email, database, graphic design, video/sound, and digital engagement software
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, the public, government agencies, community organizations, and special interest groups
Physical and Sensory Requirements
Sufficient eyesight to read fine statistical reports and standard text on computer screens
Ability to speak and hear at normal conversational levels in person and over the telephone
Manual dexterity to write legibly and use computer terminal and general office machines
Ability to lift and carry up to approximately twenty‑five pounds; reach, bend, or crouch to use files and records
Ability to travel to different sites and locations
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
Education Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public relations, communications, journalism, public administration, or a closely related field.
Experience Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience performing professional tasks in the development and implementation of public information and community outreach programs, with at least two (2) years in a supervisory capacity.
Required Certifications, Licenses, and Registrations A valid California class C driver’s license must be maintained at all times.
It is the policy of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District to ensure equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical impairment, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, or age (except where a bona fide occupational qualification applies). The District will act to ensure equal treatment in all employment matters, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, discipline, compensation, assignment, benefits, training, and layoff practices. The same policy applies to all qualified veterans, disabled veterans or other persons with disabilities capable of performing a particular job with reasonable accommodation.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance in the selection process, please notify the Human Resources Division in writing upon applying.
#J-18808-Ljbffr