New 
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
 Western Virginia Water Authority | |
$26.65
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 United States, Virginia, Roanoke | |
 Apr 28, 2026 | |
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JOB POSITION: Community Engagement Specialist
Division: Public Relations Status: Non-Exempt Grade: 107 Job Code: 214E Reports To: Public Relations Program Manager Date: 09-10-21 Revised Date: 04-20-26 Last Reviewed Date: 04-20-26 SUMMARY The Communications Specialist is a key part of the Public Relations Team. The Public Relations team embraces community engagement through educational outreach to current and future customers, creates a strong presence on electronic media and at community events and supports all divisions with the delivery of excellent customer service. Plans, develops and communicates Water Authority information concerning environmental issues and current events to customers and students and employees. Assists in the development and scheduling of external marketing and communication materials including printed materials/videos/social media content/website content. Participates in the planning and staffing for community festivals, events and recruitment fairs. Coordinates in-class and field trip presentations with area teachers. Bachelor's degree with major course work in education/communication/journalism/ environmental studies or related field plus one (1) or more years related experience and/or training in planning, implementing and evaluating public education programs/news reporting/public relations or equivalent combination of education and experience. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Includes the following. Other duties may be assigned or scheduled. Education Outreach - Focus area of presentations will be 4th grade - high school, college tours and community presentations and tours - In-class presentations and field trips will be approximately 3-4 days per week - Coordinates with teachers and science coordinators to schedule in-class and field trip programs Marketing & Communication - Represents the Authority on various internal and community committees - Partners with Authority departments to produce regular updates and branded communication content for external customers - Participates in planning, setup and staffing of displays for community festivals and events, including those held on weekends and evenings - Works with PR team to help create and design brochures and publications for various Authority departments Technology - Regularly updates and creates content for the Authority website and digital signage - Brainstorms and creates regular social media content (FaceBook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest) to share the Authority's story and mission - Must be proficient in Adobe Creative Suite products, Video editing software and Canva Design software Video Production - Brainstorms video and digital signage content with the Public Relations team - Photographs and shoots video, writes content to use for content creation, produces and schedules video for social media and website content - Interviews staff for story ideas to share Writing and Editing - Assists the PR Program Manager to create and write content for regular company newsletter and digital signage SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES None. QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. * Ability to work with minimal supervision. * Ability to work safely and obey all safety rules. * Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and in writing. * Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with coworkers, other Water Authority departments and the general public. * Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, maps and procedure manuals. * Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in writing, oral or diagram form. * Ability to work alone or in a team environment. * Must possess and maintain a good work ethic with a strong emphasis on good attendance, reporting to work on time, completing job assignments in a timely manner, maintaining a good work attitude, performing all job duties as assigned and/or scheduled. * The employee must have the ability to work a flexible schedule that will include nights, weekends and on-call duty. * Ability to read, analyze, and interpret journals, periodicals and legal documents. * Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints orally and in writing. * Ability to write articles using original or innovative techniques or style. * Ability to make effective presentations on controversial or complex topics to management, public groups. * Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. * Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. * Ability to write reports, correspondences and procedure manuals. * Ability to think logically and analyze data. * Ability to maintain and create websites. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in education, communication, journalism, environmental studies or related field plus one (1) or more years related experience and/or training in planning, implementing and evaluating public education programs, news reporting and/or public relations or equivalent combination of education and experience. CERTIFICATE, LICENSE, REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS * Must possess a valid Virginia driver's license or have the ability to obtain one within 60 days of employment date. No more than six (6) demerit points on driving record if required to drive Water Authority vehicles. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. * While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, and sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. * Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus. If corrective lenses are noted on driver's license, the lenses must be worn when operating Authority vehicles. * Repetitive movement using equipment is involved. * While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, climb, balance or crawl. * Employee must be able to stand for an extended amount of time at the jobsite. * Employee must be physically able to walk several miles during the day. * Employee must be physically able to regularly reach overhead. Employee must regularly lift, carry and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally 25 pounds. Assistance is required on weight amounts above those listed. Failure to do so could result in injury and denied Worker's Compensation benefits. WORK ENVIRONMENT ENCOUNTERED IN THIS JOB The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. * Employee will be regularly exposure to moderate or high noise level, extreme outside weather conditions, uneven, steep, slippery terrain conditions, dusty conditions and wet and/or humid conditions. * Employee will be subject to exposure to moving mechanical parts and heavy equipment operation. * Employees will be subject to roadway hazards, i.e. traffic. * Employee will be subject to outside hazards, i.e. poison ivy, bees, spiders, dirt, animals. * Employee will be subject to confined areas, i.e. confined spaces, sewer manholes, water vaults, wastewater pits, and/or protected trenches. GENERAL STATEMENT AND SELECTION GUIDELINES The above statements describe the general nature and level of work assigned to in this job position. They should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties or tasks performed by personnel so classified. The following will identify the selection guidelines for job placement: * WVWA application * Rating of education, experience, training and qualifications * Reference checks * Interview with WVWA management team * Applicant must pass a pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol test * A criminal background check and social security number verification will be performed. The results must match information provided by the applicant on the WVWA application * Job related test might be required and would be administered to all applicants applying for the position Signed: ___________________________________ Date: _____________________________________ | |