Senior Public Information Representative

East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) seeks a Senior Public Information Representative to join our fast-paced communications team. EBMUD has a proud history of providing high-quality drinking water for 1.4 million customers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. EBMUD’s wastewater system serves 740,000 customers and helps protect the ecosystem of San Francisco Bay. EBMUD is a not-for-profit public agency established in 1923. 

 The Senior Public Information Representative is a supervisory level professional who will manage and perform complex work in media relations, publications, web development, social media, communications strategy and crisis communications. We seek an exceptional communicator who can foster community and internal engagement using strategic, creative and effective communication about EBMUD issues. The Senior Public Information Representative acts as the chief media spokesperson and manages press strategy, publications, social media and EBMUD’s website. The incumbent will report to the Manager of Public Affairs and work closely with the General Manager, senior management team, elected and appointed officials and expert technical staff on programs and projects that provide essential community services and protect our environment.  

 Duties and responsibilities include:  

·        Managing EBMUD media relations and serving as chief spokesperson; working with local, state and national media; using proven skills to promptly and effectively pitch and respond to media inquiries, develop key messages, create press releases, conduct press briefings and editorial boards; and producing and supervising production of information and visual assets useful to the media.  

·        Managing EBMUD’s external and internal employee communications (digital, print, video, displays, exhibits and more), producing content and supervising production of reports, fact sheets, bill inserts, newsletters and website content to ensure creative, accurate and responsive communications.  

·        Planning and directing social media strategy to engage the general public and selected audiences and grow EBMUD’s relationship with the public. 

·        Planning, directing and participating in consequential and long-range public information planning for EBMUD projects and campaigns, and working with elected officials, managers and subject matter experts throughout the organization to plan and implement communications activities.  

·        Playing a key role in EBMUD’s Emergency Operations Team during declared emergencies and planning and preparing for emergencies; serving as key adviser and manager of crisis communications strategy, including training of public information team and subject matter experts, and crafting the messaging on all and especially sensitive subjects.  

·        Leading, planning, assigning, monitoring, coordinating and evaluating the work of Public Information Representatives responsible for implementing the Strategic Communications Plan and messaging calendar, including supporting media response, creating and disseminating communications materials such as online services, social media, one-time and recurring publications, videos and presentations, exhibits and displays and advertising campaigns.  

·        Engaging with peers in other water and wastewater agencies, and maintaining awareness of local, state and national public relations industry, and media trends and patterns 

·        Working with leaders, senior managers and experts on messaging and communication to support planned and unplanned projects and issues. 

·        Performing related work as required.  

 

The most competitive candidates will:  

·        Have exceptional writing, editing and oral communication skills.  

·        Demonstrate experience as a communications professional who works effectively with the media, elected and appointed officials, senior managers and a diverse customer base.  

·        Demonstrate experience leading the work of other communications professionals who conduct media relations, prepare publications and manage websites.  

·        Possess attention to detail, excellent proof reading, and project management experience.  

·        Build strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop positive relationships with senior managers and through all levels of the organization; collaborative leadership style; ability to build consensus on topics that may be sensitive or controversial. 

·        Exemplify a high level of professional maturity, with experience in meeting deadlines, juggling multiple priorities while producing high-quality work and achieving excellent results.  

·        Have experience in leadership and management, including mentoring and training staff, managing performance, assisting with administrative and operational decisions, and demonstrating leadership traits that align with District values of teamwork, integrity, respect and stewardship.  

·        Possess knowledge of California’s water industry and experience working for a large public utility, local government or special district is a plus.  

 The annual salary is $147,672 to $223,980. Initial placement within the range is based upon qualifications. Appointment is typically made at or below the control point ($191,976 per year). 

 EBMUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, marital or registered domestic partnership status, age for individuals age forty or older, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental or physical), medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veterans status, family or medical leave status, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical condition), pregnancy disability leave status, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and other categories protected by federal, state and/or local laws.

 REQUIREMENTS 

Typical means of acquiring the essential knowledge, skills and abilities for the Senior Public Information Representative position is a combination of training and experience equivalent to:   

1.   A bachelor’s degree with major coursework in public relations, journalism, communications, sociology, business or public administration or a closely related field, and  

2.   A minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience as a public affairs staff member or as an editor or reporter in print, electronic or broadcast media.  

Must possess the physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the position. Must be willing to be on paid standby rotation to respond to media inquiries and EBMUD emergencies that occur on nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. Must be willing to occasionally travel overnight to conduct tours of outlying EBMUD facilities or attend professional meetings and conferences. Must possess a valid California driver’s license, a satisfactory driving record, and sufficient physical mobility to conduct tours of EBMUD facilities and report to field locations as needed. Bilingual skills in Spanish or Chinese (Cantonese and/or Mandarin) are desirable.  

 Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. To be considered under the “equivalent combination of education and experience” provision, it is your responsibility to include in your application materials written evidence of employment performed at the level of the typical duties of this position and/or coursework in subject areas directly related to this position. For more information, see our FAQ page at http://www.ebmud.com/jobs/job-resources/job-faqs-frequently-asked-questions/.

 THE SELECTION PROCESS

1.   Submit a completed EBMUD application and the required supplemental question responses online at www.ebmud.com by 4:30 p.m., Friday, October 31, 2025. Only application materials submitted online during the filing period will be accepted.

2.   Candidates must achieve a passing score on each test part in order to advance to the next step in the selection process.

3.   All qualified applications and supplemental responses will be competitively evaluated, with those candidates receiving a passing score to be invited to a panel interview tentatively scheduled for January 2026.

4.   Successful candidates will be placed on the hiring list, based on rank, for further consideration to fill the current regular vacancy, as well as others occurring over the next 12 to 24 months.

5.   The probation period for this position is 12 months. For those holding civil service status the probation period is 6 months.

6.   All employment offers are conditional, pending the results of a Live Scan background screening. All selected finalists must participate in the Live Scan background screening process to remain in consideration for EBMUD employment.