Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialist

Our Strategic Communications and Engagement team at Colorado Springs Utilities is responsible for providing public affairs and strategic communications support to our organization. We are seeking a Public Relations Specialist to provide excellent communication planning, execution, and evaluation support to the organization. This position will support operations and meet the information needs of our customers, stakeholders, and employees. If you have experience in public relations or strategic communications and are passionate about enhancing and maintaining relationships between Colorado Springs Utilities and the community, this is the opportunity for you!

A day in the life of a Public Relations Specialist may include:   

• Engaging media and responding to crisis communications needs
• Developing and editing content for multiple communication channels serving internal and external audiences (e.g., news releases, social media posts)
• Supporting message development, brand standards, and information dissemination
• Assisting with the coordination and response to Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests
• Coordinating schedules for Public Affairs support of projects across the organization
• Communicating the needs and interests of community organizations to influence and provide input for internal decision-making and planning efforts
• Creating and maintaining information files and systems to support the Public Affairs teams

Who You Are

• Demonstrated experience (e.g., three years) in a public relations, public affairs, or strategic communications capacity
• Knowledge of public relations, advertising and marketing principles, strategic planning fundamentals, and project management principles
• Familiarity with a variety of public affairs and communication-related platforms and technologies
• Ability to prepare and deliver compelling and informative presentations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to speak multiple languages to be able to connect and build relationships with a diverse community is valued
• Competencies critical for success include project and time management and organization, collaboration, and continuous learning

Who We Are

• One of the largest four-service public utilities in the nation (over 500,000 customers)
• A national leader in reliability (power on an average of 99.991% of the time)
• Diamond Designation recipient from the American Public Power Association – a utility sector leader in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvements
• Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains in one of the most desired cities to live in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2023)

Our Commitment to our Employees 

Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities.  They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving.  We do not just say people are important – we prove it!  That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

• Time Off – Because everybody needs time off to recharge
  • Vacation – New employees accrue 13 days of paid time off to start, while our more tenured employees accrue 24 days per year
  • Personal Leave –3 days per year of personal leave
  • Paid Holidays –10 paid holidays per year
  • Sick Leave – Accrue 12 days of sick leave annually for those days when you or a family member is feeling under the weather
  • Vacation Buy – Purchase up to 40 hours of additional vacation time
• Pension Plan – Looking forward to a comfortable lifestyle once you’re done working? The Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) provides you with retirement benefits and peace of mind when you retire 
• Medical – Select from three comprehensive medical plans, starting at $10.00 a month.  Employees also enjoy access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Wellness Program – Voluntary wellness program that allows you and your spouse to each earn up to $500 to use towards healthcare expenses, $100 in Visa gift cards, and up to $400 in gym membership reimbursements
• Dental – Select from two dental plans, with in-network PPO preventive care covered at 100% and access to orthodontia coverage
• Vision – Voluntary plan that covers full vision care services and discounts on LASIK eye surgery
• Retirement Saving Programs – Supplement your pension plan with voluntary retirement programs such as the PERAPlus 401(k) and MissionSquare’s Roth IRA and 457 plans
• Disability Coverage – Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance available for purchase
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Makes the going a little easier by aiding with mental health, stress management, work-life balance, financial and legal matters, and much more
• Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC) – Whether it's due to an accident or a serious illness, LTC insurance is available for purchase to help you and your loved ones
• Life Insurance – Company-paid life insurance and supplemental coverage available
• Tuition Reimbursement – Employees are eligible to receive up to $5,250 annually for Tuition Reimbursement
• Qualifying Public Service Employer – Payments made towards student loans may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program 

Curious about joining our team? Learn more at https://coloradospringsutilities.jobs/jobs/

Salary : $10 - $500