SOUTH COAST AQMD AND JOB OVERVIEW
South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) is one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated environmental regulatory agencies in the Nation. We serve a four-county region that includes large areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley, which is home to more than 17 million people. South Coast AQMD's headquarters is in Diamond Bar, 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, at the junction of the 57 and 60 freeways. With a highly diverse "Clean Air Team" of over 800 employees, an annual budget of $196.3 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthy environment. South Coast AQMD is an organization you can be proud to work for -- we make a difference in the quality of life in Southern California!
ABOUT THE POSITION
This position will report to Alicia Lizarraga, Senior Public Affairs Manager,.
The Senior Public Affairs Specialist will participate in the development and coordination of public information related to South Coast AQMD program activities, policies, rules, and regulations and serve as a liaison for South Coast AQMD with the general public, public agencies, and business communities.
PLEASE NOTE:
Depending on the operational needs of the department, this position may require attendance at evening and weekend meetings or events.
CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:
This class is also distinguished from the Public Affairs Specialist class by the degree of responsibility for the development and implementation of comprehensive media liaison or public information, public participation, and community liaison programs.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
In general, the Senior Public Affairs Specialist may perform the following duties:
Supervises and coordinates the activities of the Advertising, Outreach, Publications, Notification, Small Business, or Public Information sections of the Public Advisor's Office.
Acts as media liaison, responding to media inquiries on subjects relating to South Coast AQMD's activities; prepares press releases or arranges press conferences on such subjects as public hearings, rule and legislative changes, and announcements of air quality conditions.
Coordinates and reviews the work plan for an assigned section; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns work activities and projects; monitors workflow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures.
Recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; establishes schedules and methods for providing assigned services; implements policies and procedures.
Prepares and reviews draft correspondence in reply to inquiries, general complaints, and suggestions relative to South Coast AQMD's programs and activities; consults with other professional and technical staff members for pertinent facts and information.
Assists small business in applying for Permits to Operate and Variances from South Coast AQMD Rules and Regulations; develops and maintains a data base on the economic impact and cost-effectiveness of South Coast AQMD rules on small business, which includes providing information on low-cost financing for control equipment.
Supervises and participates in agency-wide public information, public participation, and community liaison programs in order to advise and disseminate information to the general public, school districts, public agencies, small business, and private organizations on South Coast AQMD programs, activities, regulations, and administrative proceedings.
Writes and edits various South Coast AQMD publications, such as brochures, fact sheets, pamphlets, and newsletters for distribution to the public, employees, private organizations, and small businesses.
Participates in the selection of assigned staff; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct performance deficiencies; implements discipline procedures.
Speaks at presentations, such as workshops, panel discussions, fairs, and other similar events, tailoring information to the subject and particular audience.
Plans, designs, and arranges for the production of posters, signs, exhibits, and displays, and arranges exhibits at meetings, workshops, and other community and civic programs.
Identifies, creates, and places communications targeted to key audiences, including speeches, speech reprints, testimony, videos, slideshows, and mobile exhibits; writes speeches for South Coast AQMD senior management staff and Board members; researches material for use in speeches; analyzes emerging issues.
Designs and presents South Coast AQMD films, slide shows, and other audio-visual programs, and operates related equipment.
Plans and arranges for special conferences, workshops, public hearings, and coordinates visitor tours; assists in the preparation of the annual budget.
MINIMUM AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to the Minimum Qualifications, which follow, the most competitive public/government relations professionals will possess the following:
Professional experience working for a government agency or in a highly political environment.
Professional experience working with stakeholders who reflect a broad diversity of backgrounds and concerns.
Ability to clearly communicate (verbally and in writing) technical and complex information to non-technical audiences.
Ability to create positive working relationships with environmental justice organizations and/or causes and creating partnerships that resulted in effective solutions relative to environmental justice concerns of non-technical audiences.
Ability to diplomatically and persuasively deal with sensitive and controversial issues.
Ability to interact easily with all levels of South Coast AQMD staff, the Executive Officer, and the Governing Board.
Ability to thrive in a high-energy work environment where there are constant deadlines and rapidly changing and competing priorities.
Excellent written communications skills, necessary to prepare a wide variety of correspondence, recommendations, and reports.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EXPERIENCE:
Two years of experience as a Public Affairs Specialist with South Coast AQMD OR four years of progressively responsible experience conducting research; writing and editing brochures, articles, and/or news releases for publication; and preparing and making public presentations before groups.
EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, business or public administration, political science, or a related field may substitute for up to two years of the required experience.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive public information program; principles and practices of public information, media relations, journalism, and public relations; principles of graphic design and photography; principles, techniques, and methods for the dissemination of information and development of public participation programs; principles used in writing, composition, layout, and production of educational, informational, and promotional materials; principles of video production, and the operation of video equipment; correct English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary; principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation; techniques of event promotion and advertising; general characteristics and mission of public agencies.
ABILITY TO:
Deal tactfully and effectively with the public, the media, and representatives of the business community; speak in public and before groups; write clear and understandable educational and informational materials and news releases; plan, assign, supervise, and review the work of employees engaged in public information activities; maintain records and prepare reports; create appropriate informational and promotional materials; recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient media liaison, public relations, and promotional programs for the South Coast AQMD; prepare clear and effective press releases and advertisements; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including South Coast staff, government officials, community groups, members of the media, and the general public.
LICENSE:
Possession of a valid California Class "C" Driver's License and a good driving record is required. and informational materials and news releases; plan, assign, supervise, and review the work of employees engaged in public information activities; maintain records and prepare reports; create appropriate informational and promotional materials; recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient media liaison, public relations, and promotional programs for the South Coast AQMD; prepare clear and effective press releases and advertisements; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including South Coast AQMD staff, government officials, community groups, members of the media, and the general public.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
APPLICATION PACKETS MUST INCLUDE:
- A completed employment application covering at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience), and your entire South Coast AQMD employment history if you are a South Coat AQMD employee.
- Up to four references which include the names and phone numbers of your present and past supervisor or managers, or persons for who you have directly provided services, not peers.
- Responses to the supplemental questionnaire. If you need additional space beyond the lines provided on the supplemental questionnaire tab, attach a document with your response when you submit your application. Please limit your responses to no more than one page per answer.
- If you claim education on your application, an unofficial copy of your transcripts, documenting all qualifying education and/or occupational training claimed, submitted as an attachment to your online application.
Job applications must be completely filled out. A resume cannot be substituted for the required information. Be sure to detail any education, training or other relevant coursework that would make you a particularly strong candidate.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
Application packets and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire will be carefully reviewed, and only those candidates with the most competitive and/or directly transferable experience will be invited to the next step of the process, which is expected to be a Qualifications Appraisal Panel (QAP) interview (which may include a writing exercise and/or a presentation).
The interviews (weighted at 100%) are expected to result in a ranked eligible list, from which current and future vacancies at this level may be filled, during the 6-month life of the list.
Prior to placement on the eligible list, candidates will be required to arrange for original, official transcripts to be mailed directly from their college/university to South Coast AQMD, as detailed in the "Educational Requirements" link on the Employment Opportunities webpage.
South Coast AQMD reserves the right to add, delete, or modify any elements of the selection process as deemed appropriate, based on the number and quality of applicants at each step.
Candidates who may need accommodations during the selection process must call the Human Resources Department at least one week prior to any test dates.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the Human Resources Department at (909) 396-2800.
