Public Relations & Communications Specialist

Description

Mustang Special Utility District (Mustang SUD) is the most extensive Special Utility District in Texas, providing water and wastewater services across more than 220 square miles. With over 43,000 active connections in one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S., Mustang SUD is committed to excellence in public service, living up to our motto: “Second to None—Providing Life’s Most Precious Resource.”  We are seeking a strategic and experienced Public Relations and Communications Specialist to foster relationships within our community and grow external communication efforts. 

Position Summary 

The Public Relations and Communications Specialist at Mustang Special Utility District serves as the liaison between the organization and the public. This role involves developing and executing effective communication strategies to promote the district’s programs, services, and achievements.  The Public Relations and Communications Specialist develops and executes external media content to release information from the organization in a manner that promotes a positive public image. This position requires exceptional communication skills to write, review, and/or distribute organizational media updates for public-facing communication.  

Essential Functions:  

• Strategic Communication Planning: Develop comprehensive external communication plans that align with the organization’s goals. This includes identifying target audiences and crafting messages to that effectively reach and engage them. 

• Content Creation: Develop and draft various communication materials for the organization, supporting all departments. This includes creating engaging content for external communication channels, newsletters, and websites, as well as producing multimedia content such as videos and infographics using software like Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva.  

• Brand Management: Enhance the organization’s brand and reputation through various communication channels. This involves ensuring consistency in messaging across all platforms, monitoring public perceptions, and evolving strategies as needed to maintain a positive image.  

• Crisis Communication: Assist all departments in developing, implementing, and maintaining crisis communication strategies. Prepare statements and manage the organization’s response to crises, ensuring accurate and timely information is disseminated to stakeholders. 

• Community Engagement: Engages with key community stakeholders. This includes creating  communication initiatives to foster positive relationships and build a strong community presence.  

• Internal Communication: Develop and manage external communication strategies to keep employees informed about company news and initiatives. This includes creating external newsletters and organizing external events to boost engagement. 

• Public Speaking and Representation:  Provide regular presentations to the Board of Directors and other stakeholders to keep them informed about communication efforts and organizational achievements. 

• Monitoring and Analysis: Create, monitor, and analyze the impact of communication campaigns and activities. Provide detailed reports and insights to management and the Board of Directors to inform future strategies and ensure alignment with organizational goals. 

Qualifications

Education: 

• Required: A bachelor’s degree in Communication, Marketing, Public Affairs, or a related field is essential for this role; or equivalent work related experience in lieu of degree.  

• Preferred: A master’s degree in Communication, Marketing, Public Administration, or a related field is highly desirable. 

Experience:  

• Required: Minimum of 5 years of experience in public relations, communications, ideally within a governmental capacity or utility 

Preferred: 

• Familiarity with the water utility industry is advantageous, as it provides valuable context and insights relevant to the role, allowing for more effective communication and engagement within this sector. 

• The candidate should have proven experience in crisis management, showcasing the ability to effectively handle sensitive situations while maintaining the organization’s positive image.  

Training/Professional Development Requirements: 

• Continuous Learning: Participate in industry conferences, workshops, and webinars to stay current with public relations trends and best practices. 

• Technical Skill Enhancement: Pursue training in the latest communication tools and software, including Adobe Creative Cloud and Google Analytics, and stay updated with digital marketing techniques. 

Work Environment and Physical Requirements 

• Office Setting: Primarily work in an office environment, utilizing standard office equipment such as computers, telephones, and printers. 

• Fieldwork: Occasionally required to visit field sites to take photographs of fieldworkers, requiring some travel within the service area. 

• Community Events: Attendance at community events, which may be held outdoors or at various locations throughout the area, necessitating adaptability to different environments and conditions. 

• Flexible Hours: Some evening or weekend work may be necessary to attend events or respond to urgent communication needs. 

• Travel: Travel may be required for professional development opportunities or local community engagement activities. 

Conditions Of Employment: 

• Must have a valid Class "C" Driver's License before employment (must obtain Texas Class "C" driver's license within 30 days of hire per state law). 

• Must pass a drug test, criminal history background check, and social security number verification check. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. Mustang SUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to any characteristics protected by law. These general guidelines do not constitute an exhaustive list of qualifications or essential functions of the position. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to color, race, religion, national origin, age (over 40), physical or mental disability, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), citizenship, veteran’s status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. 

Salary : $109,000 - $115,000