Sr. Communications Manager Water Programs SFPUC (9251) (158851)

About the External Affairs
The External Affairs Bureau at the SFPUC oversees the agencys local state and federal legislative and policy activities communications community engagement community benefits and environmental justice program. The Communications Division guides the SFPUCs brand and promotes the agencys programs initiatives and services to internal and external stakeholders.  Our goal is to build trust and engagement among our partners customers employees and the communities we serve through equitable open and timely communication.    

Role Description
The Senior Communications Manager for Water leads a diverse team that supports the SFPUCs water operations which span nearly the width of the state of California. This position is responsible for developing and executing campaigns that increase awareness elevate perception and drive strategic messaging for the agencys water programs projects and initiatives. That includes for internal and external audiences. A major component of the work is creative robust and culturally competent outreach for major construction projects. Other responsibilities include brand public relations program/project marketing crisis communications and leadership of the Water Communications Team.

Essential Duties:

• Works closely with the department head commissioners and senior management to develop and execute effective communications strategies (both internal and external) for water utility projects programs and operations. Uses metrics to track effectiveness. Presents findings to executive leadership.  
• Designs and implements creative robust and culturally competent outreach for major construction projects across Northern California.   
• Independently plans implements and supervises events relating to departmental activities such as construction groundbreakings community townhalls historic recognition ceremonies and special events.  
• Mentors and leads a team of five direct reports who operate in diverse communities across a broad geographic area.   
• Prepares speeches for senior water executives and other agency leaders.  
• Answers or oversees responses to public complaints.    
• Participates in the after-hours on-call rotation to provide public information in response to emergencies and needed repairs like water main breaks.  
• Creates produces oversees and edits reports policies brochures and other materials for distribution to the public; may function as publications editor in writing reviewing and supervising updates of publications including coordinating all aspects of the publication process.    
• Revises and updates departmental publications regarding changes in departmental services and facilities as necessary.    
• May represent the department including the department head to the media as well as before the Board of Supervisors various community groups nonprofit agencies regional partners and delegates from other cities and countries.
• Develops and coordinates strategic public relations campaigns with community partners influential organizations and other City departments.

The Class 9251 performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.    

Qualifications :

Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. AND

Experience: Five years of experience in public affairs public/media relations community relations international relations or a related field.

Substitution: Additional qualifying work experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted. 

Desirable Qualifications

The stated desirable qualifications may be used to identify job finalists at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.

• Fluency in Cantonese Spanish or Filipino
• Experience at a utility agency or major construction firm
• 3 years of supervisory experience managing public relations team

Verification of Education and Experience

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required information on how to verify education requirements including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency can be found at Falsifying ones education training or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

NOTE: A passing score must be achieved on the Supplemental Questionnaire Examination in order to continue in the selection process and be placed on the eligible list.

Candidates will be placed on the eligible list in rank order according to their final score. Candidate scores on this examination may also be applied to other announcements involving other job titles when directed by the Human Resources Director.

The department may administer additional position-specific selection procedures to make final hiring decisions.

Additional Information :

Selection Procedures

After application submission candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process which includes the following:  

Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) (100%)
Candidates who meet minimum qualifications will be invited via a separate online link to complete the SQ Examination. The SQ is designed to measure applicants relative knowledge skills and abilities in job-related areas identified as critical for successful performance. These may include but are not limited to: 
    Knowledge of principles techniques and practices of effective public relations programs; diplomatic relations.    
    Knowledge of public policy process local/regional government and environmental issues; legislative process and procedures at local state and federal levels.    
    Knowledge of public sector business and administrative practices and departmental policies procedures and operation.    
    Knowledge of principles and techniques of event planning.    
    Ability to work effectively with the public governmental agencies private companies media diplomats and community organizations in a tactful manner; analyze and implement sensitive and difficult community relations and public relations programs.    
    Ability to manage projects measure results and achieve established goals.    
    Ability to organize and coordinate special event functions including ceremonies press conferences and honoree functions.    
    Ability to supervise a staff performing public relations work.    
    Skill in technical writing and public speaking in public forums; presenting information effectively and representing the department before the media groups and organizations.    
    Skill in interpersonal communication and negotiation skills for dealing effectively with a wide range of people and concerns as well as resolving public complaints.    
    Skill in organizing and performing analytical research and in preparing clear concise reports for specific needs and audiences.    

All responses to the SQ are subject to verification and must be consistent with the information provided in your application.

Eligible List/Score Report:
 A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established so applicants can view the ranks final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information including names of applicants on the eligible list shall not be made public unless required by law. However an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection upon request once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g. as a result of appeals) as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be six (6) months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

Certification: The certification rule for the ranked eligible lists resulting from this examination will be Rule of the List. Additional selection processes may be conducted by the hiring department prior to making final hiring decisions.

To find Departments which use this classification please see the citys Position Counts by Job Codes and Departments. 

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights: 

Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement including requirements time periods and other particulars except when superseded by federal state or local laws rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is abuse of discretion or no rational basis for establishing the position description the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco: 

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams 
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Where to Apply

All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit to begin your application process.

Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place Room 110.

Ensure your application information is accurate as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address not a shared or work email to avoid unfixable issues.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file.

Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

If you have any questions you may contact Jessica Wong at .  Recruitment ID: RTF-09990.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex race age religion color national origin ancestry physical disability mental disability medical condition (associated with cancer a history of cancer or genetic characteristics) HIV/AIDS status genetic information marital status sexual orientation gender gender identity gender expression military and veteran status or other protected category under the law.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time