Public Relations Manager
Location: CWC currently has offices in Sacramento, Visalia and Watsonville, CA. CWC believes our mission can be effectively advanced while being flexible in our approach to work style and location. Candidates for this position must be able to work in-person at the Sacramento office at least two days per week and more than two days a week if needed based on job responsibilities.
Community Water Center acts as a catalyst for community-driven water solutions through organizing, education, and advocacy. We seek to build and enhance leadership capacity and local community power around water issues, create regional movements for water justice in California, and enable every community to have access to safe, clean, and affordable drinking water.
At CWC, we believe that safe, clean, and affordable water is a human right, not a privilege. Our organizing and advocacy work, community collaborations, and organizational culture all reflect a concern for equity, mutual respect, appreciation for diversity, and environmental and social justice. We are looking for candidates who share our values, who bring a willingness to contribute to our mission and to the growth of a new organization, and who are open to developing their skills.
Position Description
The Public Relations Manager is primarily responsible for overseeing media relations and cultivating strategic and empowering experiences for staff and community partners when participating in interviews and press events.
The Public Relations Manager is a regular, full-time position based out of our Sacramento office and will report to the Communications Manager. All employees at CWC are “at will.” This position will work closely with CWC’s Policy Director and the Executive Director, as well as other CWC staff, community members, ally organizations and agencies, and various interns.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will possess strength, experience, and passion for connecting CWC with the media, cultivating community storytellers, and shaping the narrative for water justice in California. They are energized and excited to engage in the powerful arena of California water politics, and serve as a strong advocate, in partnership with low-income communities of color, for access to safe, reliable and affordable drinking water. They have a strong passion for ensuring that historically marginalized voices and communities are visible, powerful and influencing policy decisions on drinking water issues.
Major Responsibilities
Media Relations
● Develop and implement CWC’s media strategy by proactively cultivating relationships with key media outlets and reporters throughout California and nationally. ● Oversee and coordinate media opportunities including providing background to reporters, being interviewed, vetting media requests, drafting and updating talking points, and connecting and facilitating interviews with staff. ● Serve as the main point person, with guidance from other staff, for identifying and preparing Spanish and English speaking community partners impacted by unsafe and unaffordable drinking water to strategic media opportunities. ● Draft and distribute media materials including media advisories, press releases, op-eds and media kits. ● Coordinate and develop strategic communication campaigns with CWC’s consultants and ally organizations. ● Staying current on water issues in California including political dynamics and opposition messaging. ● Establish and track key media engagement metrics for internal and external reporting. ● Plan and coordinate press events such as press conferences, environmental justice tours with media and other influencers and decision-makers like elected officials and funders. ● Support the development of additional media spokespeople by providing media training and support to CWC staff and community partners.
General Duties
● Foster an environment that promotes trust and cooperation amongst CWC staff, community members, ally organizations and all other stakeholders. ● Actively participate in program strategy, staff meetings, and staff retreats. ● Support the tracking and reporting of CWC’s activities for internal planning and evaluation, grants reports and contractual obligations. ● Provide general administrative and program support. ● Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Required Qualifications
● Proficient in English and Spanish written, oral, interpersonal communication, and public speaking skills ● Strong passion for and commitment to social and environmental justice ● Experience in public relations and/or media relations ● Understanding of California politics and legislative process ● Awareness of how differences in class, race, privilege and lived experience shape how individuals and institutions think and act ● Proven ability to work in a collaborative, fast-paced office environment and meet deadlines ● Ability to accept and provide critical feedback – the ideal candidate would value mutual accountability across the organization
Preferred Qualifications
● Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public policy, or related field ● 4+ years experience in journalism, public relations, media relations, public policy, or government affairs ● Experience working in the Central Valley and/or Salinas Valley or familiarity with key environmental justice issues facing these regions
Starting date: OPEN UNTIL FILLED
Salary: Starting at $80,000; based on experience and qualifications
Benefits: We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package which includes: medical, dental and vision insurance; retirement program contributions, generous vacation, family and sick leave and holiday policies; hybrid (remote and in-person) work policy; professional development opportunities and more. (Benefits guidelines and eligibility vary based on tenure and employment status, among other factors.)
To apply: Email your resume and cover letter to Kelsey Hinton at kelsey.hinton@communitywatercenter.org
Community Water Center is committed to providing equal opportunity to qualified job applicants and employees and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability (including pregnancy), mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship, military service status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
To learn more about the Community Water Center and our programs, visit our website at www.communitywatercenter.org