Public Information Officer

Salary : $101,292.00 - $136,740.00 Annually
Location : 1920 N Iris Lane, Escondido, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Division: Water
Department: Executive
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 12/4/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Class Characteristics

DEFINITION
Under general direction, plans, organizes, coordinates, and manages public affairs and outreach, community involvement, education, and water conservation programs, and related administrative activities; coordinates projects and activities with other District departments and outside agencies; provides highly responsible staff assistance to the General Manager in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the General Manager. Exercises direct supervision over administrative staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This classification is responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the District's public affairs and outreach, community involvement, education, and water conservation programs. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities in overseeing the day-to-day operations of public affairs. Employees serve as a specialist, liaison, and advocate for public affairs with regular contact and interactions with District senior management positions, other public agencies, public and private community organizations, media representatives, regulatory and governmental agencies, and members of the public.

Essential Duties

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the typical functions of the job.

• Plans, develops, administers, implements, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the District's public affairs, community involvement, education, and water conservation programs.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned programs; recommends department policy, appropriate service, funding, and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Plans, designs, writes, and coordinates the production of internal and external District communications, both electronic and hard copy, including press releases, surveys, correspondence, reports, newsletters, print advertising, flyers, brochures, and presentations.
• Plans, designs, coordinates, writes, updates, posts, and publishes the District's online presence, including the District's website and various social media campaigns and platforms.
• Oversees the planning, coordination, implementation, and administration of the District's education programs, public events, and tours, including schools, businesses, other public agencies, community organizations, service clubs, and the business community.
• Develops, updates, and produces the District's annual Consumer Confidence Report(s); works with other Divisions and external agencies to ensure accuracy of information and regulatory compliance; ensures information is presented in an accessible and easy-to-understand format for the public.
• Develops and maintains relationships with media outlets and contacts to provide for the timely and accurate dissemination of information; may utilize or coordinate with consultants or firms on specialized public relations campaigns.
• Maintains, updates, and recommends District branding and associated strategies; ensures consistent formatting, branding, and logo usage on official materials, promotes a consistent representation of the District to the public and external stakeholders.
• Develops, manages, and provides public information services related to routine, noteworthy, and emergency events, including water outages and shutdowns, capital projects, water conservation initiatives, other potable, water, recycled water, wastewater and fire services; represents the District before, engages with, and disseminates information to the media, external agencies, community groups, customers, stakeholders, and individuals; redirects and connects customers with related agencies as appropriate.
• Oversees the planning, implementation, and maintenance of the District's water use efficiency programs (WaterSmart), promotions, initiatives; trains staff, messages customers, educates customers and assists with investigation and troubleshooting, administers the customer-facing portal, and manages leak and emergency notifications; coordinates data uploads with the District's utility billing staff; serves as the point of contact with consultant.
• Conducts and supports research and analysis of legislation, regulations, and policies to determine District impacts on current and future program compliance, operations, and financial impacts; recommendation and implements necessary changes or modifications for compliance; drafts and submits position letters in support or opposition or proposed legislation, regulations, and policies.
• Researches and evaluates the appropriateness of available grant funding opportunities; supports the application development and submittal processes; supports the administration, monitoring, tracking and reporting, compliance, auditing and close out of awarded grants.
• Serves as a liaison and represents the District and General Manager before governmental agencies and other industry, professional, and community groups, commissions, committees, task forces, organizations, customers, and the public; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues; answers questions, investigates and responds to inquiries and complaints, attends meetings and provides information on District programs and projects; works with other District staff to formulate methods and approaches for addressing community and agency concerns.
• Develops, updates, and implements various policy and planning documents, including but not limited to, the District's Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), Drought Response Plan, and Water Conservation Ordinance; collaborates, coordinates and assists in administering plans and polices with other local, regional, state, and federal agencies; maintains all required records, information and data; collects, compiles, tracks, and reports on required data and information to comply with mandates and information requests.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance and special project support to the General Manager and other Divisions; prepares reports and correspondence concerning new or ongoing programs and program effectiveness; prepares statistical reports as required; establishes and maintains working and official program files; ensures the proper documentation of operations and activities.
• Reviews the work and performance of staff to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations and safety protocols.
• Participates in and makes presentations to the Board of Directors; prepares related Board reports.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of trends and innovations in the field of water conservation programs.
• Provides or coordinates training to other staff and Board Members related to assigned programs and area of responsibility.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles of providing functional direction and training.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective collaboration to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and management.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Principles, practices, and techniques used in the conduct of an effective public information and publicity program for a water district.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of developing and distributing information for mass media communications.
• General principles of graphic design and corporate branding
• Principles and practices of website design and development and social media campaign development
• Practices, theories, methods, and techniques of public policy development and public affairs.
• Practices, theories, methods, and techniques used in the design, administration, and evaluation of water use efficiency and conservation programs.
• Principles and practices of grant writing, administration, and accountability.

• Complex arithmetic and statistical techniques.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned program.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, oversee, develop, implement, and administer comprehensive water efficiency and related programs.
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction.
• Prepare and administer budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Coordinate and manage assigned projects and programs.
• Conduct strategic planning for assigned projects.
• Plan, research, organize, administer, coordinate, implement, review, and evaluate public information and community affairs programs.
• Research, assemble, and document data applicable to conservation programs.
• Plan, research, organize, coordinate, and implement a variety of public information, media, and legislative related activities and programs.
• Research, develop, write, and deliver accurate and effective communications.
• Interpret, apply, and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Develop effective public and community outreach strategies and campaigns; work effectively with diverse groups of different ages and various socio-economic backgrounds; listen to and discuss problems and complaints tactfully.
• Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Prepare, maintain, and update accurate detailed records and files.
• Interpret and evaluate statistical data.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the division and the District in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

Education and Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public information, marketing, communications, public administration, or a related field.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible community and public relations, public information, or water conservation experience involving the development and coordination of public education programs.
• Supervisory experience is highly desirable.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of, or successful acquisition within twelve (12) months of appointment, a valid Landscape Irrigation Auditor Certification from the Irrigation Association, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of, or successful acquisition within twelve (12) months of appointment, a valid Water Conservationist Certification from the American Water Works Association, to be maintained throughout employment.

• Medical coverage paid by the District for active employees
  • Health Insurance for employee and dependents
    • HMO and PPO options
  • Fully covered vision and dental care for employee and dependents
• Retiree healthcare available up to the PEHMCA 100/90 rates cap
  • 50% paid retiree healthcare with 10 years of service and retirement from the District
  • 100% paid retiree healthcare with 20 years of service and retirement from the District
• CalPERS retirement (P