External Communications Manager

The Flood Control District has the mission to reduce the risk of flooding in Harris County the third-most-populated county in the United States with a population in excess of 4.7 million including the City of Houston the nations fourth-largest city. The Flood Control District has jurisdiction over the primary stormwater facilities in the county which consist of approximately 1500 channels totaling nearly 2500 miles in length as well as more than 60 regional stormwater detention basins totaling more than 10000 acres and several wetlands mitigation banks including Greens Bayou.

The Harris County Flood Control District is seeking qualified candidates for the position of External Communications Manager who will be responsible for developing and implementing external communication strategies and initiatives for the District in support of its overall mission and for managing contract staff related to these functions.

Essential Functions & Duties:

Community Outreach & Public Engagement

• Develop and implement community outreach strategies to further the Districts mission and reputation and to promote public/media education and awareness of flooding risks improvements and projects.

• Assist with updates to standard external communication procedures and public engagement plans for implementation before during and after flood events.

External Communications & Media Relations

• Develop and implement strategic efforts for a broad range of external communications including District-issued new releases presentations and scripts writing content for the website media inquiries social media etc.

• Serve as primary contact for media requests develop and/or update key messages on District activities and projects for public queries and media interviews.

• Serve as point of contact for rapid response and reactive media inquiries coordinating with internal and external stakeholders and spokespersons.

• Manage the Districts media efforts and programs including strategy content development promotion guidelines and other relevant efforts to maximize positive press.

• Assist with setting communications protocols on media relations social media etc. and provide strategic oversight of all communications efforts related to the District and its work including media relations social media digital platforms internal communications public affairs/outreach and others.

Emergency & Rapid Response

• Mobilize as an integral part of the Districts communications team during emergency response events which may include extended periods of on-site mobilization.

Leadership Coordination & Oversight

• Conduct ongoing briefings with Communications Division Director to share feedback updates issues challenges and results to identify and pursue proactive media opportunities and external communication initiatives.

• Oversee contract staff on proactive media outreach including planning maintaining outreach list and briefings with key reporters

Additional Responsibilities and Duties

• Attend and facilitate meetings with coordinating departments public officials vendors and agencies as directed.

• Responsible for supporting media training of internal staff as appropriate.

• Assume additional responsibilities as required adapting to the Districts evolving demands responsibilities needs and objectives.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
you need special services or accommodations please call or email .
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and even when considered may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Education and Experience:

• Requires a bachelors degree from an accredited four-year college or university preferably in communications or public relations.

• Requires ten years of progressively responsible verifiable professional experience in communications public relations public advocacy or a similar field.

• Strong background in writing and content development.

• Experience in executing and implementing complex high-profile projects in a fast-paced environment.

Licensure:

• Valid Class C Texas Drivers License

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills including writing presentation and grammar.

• Understanding and experience serving in incident command/emergency operations center activations.

• Fluent in Associated Press (AP) style.

• Working knowledge of government agencies and their governing bodies.

• Bilingual skills in English/Spanish are a plus.

• Communicate important organizational and project updates to peers and managers clearly and proactively.

• Communicate through superior written oral and presentation skills and constructively edit others work.

• Ability to manage a crisis event and remain composed to ensure adequate communications strategies and messaging are implemented.

• Understand and operate within and in support of District policy goals objectives and limitations.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to meet changing and multiple deadlines prioritize and work on multiple projects simultaneously.

• Manage and organize projects and initiatives with strong attention to detail and excellent work products.

• Work independently with limited supervision relative autonomy and general review under pressure and public scrutiny

• Exercise good judgment be self-motivated take initiative be flexible adapt well to change and manage risk and uncertainty with poise.

• Make independent judgments that could have a significant impact on employees and/or the organization.

• Manage and lead a team within an office environment.

• Read/comprehend written materials e.g. policies procedures operating instructions and safety notices.

• Solve simple mathematical problems that may be required in normal work situations.

NOTE: Qualifying education experience knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation butONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. See Resumewill not be accepted for qualifications.

• Experience serving as an on-the-record spokesperson preferred.

Position Type:

• Regular Full-Time

Hours:

• 40 hours per week

Salary:

• To be discussed at the interview

Location:

• 9900 Northwest Fwy Houston TX 77092

Physical Demands & Environmental Exposure:

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Frequent sorting filing shelving and handling of documents books files file drawers and related materials and equipment required for clerical operations.

• Frequent driving of a vehicle with automatic controls standing and walking; prolonged sitting for extended periods of time.

• Occasional stooping bending reaching lifting and carrying items up to 15 pounds ascending/descending stairs.

• Work is generally performed indoors in a normal office environment with acceptable lighting temperature air conditioning and noise levels.

• When at field locations may be exposed to significant levels of heat cold moisture air pollution wind dust wildlife and flying/walking insects.

• When at field locations may be exposed to vibration and/or noise in excess of 85 decibels.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.