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Utilities Communications Coordinator

Category: Classified
Pay Grade: C24
Job Code: 17041

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.  Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

JOB SUMMARY

Performs responsible professional journalistic and graphic design work in the preparation of a variety of multimedia materials for the Utilities Department. Work includes designing materials in a variety of media to promote and communicate utility information, services, activities, programs, and projects. This position is responsible for developing, coordinating and providing effective digital and graphic design communications. Duties are performed under the supervision of the Senior Department Administrative Manager. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (examples, not all inclusive)

• Frequently visits all major Pinellas County Utilities (PCU) facilities – from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs – regularly rides along with PCU team members, visits worksites, and attends department, division, section, and team meetings on a frequent basis to get to know the entire team, build trust, engage team members in communication efforts and generate fresh, timely, and informative content for internal communication efforts; develops, designs, and distributes timely and accurate communications throughout the PCU team to ensure promotion and understanding of relevant initiatives and current activities/events;
• Identifies, develops and promotes feature stories, articles, newsletters and other Utilities-related content for the County newsletters and recognition efforts (i.e., The Pen, Employee Spotlight, etc.);
• Works closely with the Utilities Human Resources Coordinator to promote internal employment opportunities, events, and activities, including career fair back-up;
• In coordination with the Utilities Human Resources Coordinator and Administration staff, plans and promotes employee events, including the PCU all-hands meetings, employee appreciation days, picnics, facility tours, ride-along and job shadowing opportunities, and other activities;
• Supports and promotes the efforts of the Strategic Objectives Team by developing creative approaches to information sharing and promotion of initiatives, training opportunities, mandatory annual activities (i.e., DAPA, open enrollment, Digital Toolbox, etc.);
• Promotes, in a variety of creative ways, the PCU Strategic Plan, and regularly links the plan to employee activities, accomplishments, and duties;
• Internally promotes regular PCU programs – such as annual water system maintenance, grease management, flushable wipes, sewer system contaminants, declared droughts and water conservation programs – to ensure general knowledge and understanding that will help employees share information with customers;
• Collaborates with County Communications to determine social media needs and promotes, instructs, gathers, and shares with County Communications PCU photos and material for employee-related social media posts.
• Develops and updates internal PCU SharePoint and intranet content as needed;
• Collects and analyzes employee surveys and statistical data related to internal communication efforts, including the In the Know video series, the Inside H2O monthly e-newsletter, and the biweekly In the Pipeline project e-newsletter, the communication questions for the Employee Voice Survey, and any other communication tool developed and executed within the department;
• Conducts field and office research in obtaining materials to be used in feature articles;
• Generates audio and video content for internal news, including topics, themes, production, on-air talent, and distribution;
• Serves as the night shift Public Information Officer at the Utilities Operations Center during emergency activations;
• Performs related work as assigned or required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Five (5) years’ experience in marketing, public relations, or communications professions such as radio, television, news media or related field; or Associate’s Degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English or a related field and three (3) years’ experience as described above; or Bachelor’s Degree and one (1) year experience as described above; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience. 

Special Qualifications (May be required depending on area of assignment):

• Florida Driver’s License or Florida Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and endorsement, if any.
• Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.
• Other knowledge, skills, abilities, and credentials required for a specific position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the methods, principles and practices of journalistic writing and editing;
• Knowledge of basic methods, principles and practices of digital graphic design;
• Knowledge of water and wastewater systems and operations;
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, SharePoint, Adobe, and Copilot;
• Knowledge of presentation development and public speaking;
• Knowledge of video production, editing, and on-air interviewing;
• Knowledge of the effective use of social media content and trends;
• Knowledge of, and skill in the use of, office automation and desktop publishing equipment;
• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal, written, graphic and visual form;
• Ability to devise creative and effective means of engaging PCU team members in cross divisional collaboration and communication;
• Ability to quickly learn new and varied software applications.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.  Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Visual ability: Sufficient to effectively operate office equipment including copier, computer, etc.; and to read and write reports, correspondence, instructions, etc.
• Hearing ability: Sufficient to hold a conversation with other individuals both in person and over a telephone; and to hear recording on transcription device.
• Speaking ability: Sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person and over a telephone.
• Mental acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.