Under the guidance of the Senior Manager, Public Affairs, the incumbent will serve as the intermediary between Pittsburgh Water and government entities at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as with media organizations. Tasks include strategizing and managing the organization’s interactions with stakeholder groups such as policymakers, legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, and various public sector institutions, to ensure that Pittsburgh Water’s interests are effectively communicated and considered in regulatory matters.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge of public policy and the broader political landscape to advocate for our organization’s goals and priorities.
• Ability to simplify complex, technical information into clear content for external audiences.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully incorporating government and media relations into communications campaigns.
• Previous on camera experience as an organizational spokesperson or in another public-facing role preferred.
• Possess the capacity to proactively self-direct their work and the work of others.
• Strong capability to build and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, subordinate personnel, outside agencies, and regulatory bodies.
• Exhibit sound judgment, logical reasoning, integrity, and good ethics.
• Strong management skills (planning, organizing, analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and employee development).
• Excellent ability to prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive written documents; communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

The following requirements list the minimum education/training/experience required to qualify for this job. An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may be accepted.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of related experience.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicant must present a current, valid Class C (Class 1) PA Motor Vehicle Operator’s License at the time of application or prior to appointment. A valid driver’s license must be maintained throughout employment.
Applicant must have permanent residency within one of the following Pennsylvania counties at the time of appointment and remain a resident within one of the noted counties throughout employment with the Pittsburgh Water: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Indiana, Washington, or Westmoreland.

• Develop, implement, and manage Pittsburgh Water’s government and media relations strategy to engage with government officials, agencies, and relevant organizations.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, government officials, media representatives, and other stakeholders to advocate for favorable policies.
• Act as the main point of contact between Pittsburgh Water and media and government entities to facilitate collaboration on emerging issues.
• Represent the organization during public presentations, speaking engagements and coordinate high priority events, facilitate forums and other pertinent public meetings and/or events on behalf of the CEO.
• When appropriate, serve as spokesperson for the Authority including on camera appearances. Must be prepared and able to respond during off business hours to media inquiries for emergencies and contact appropriate Authority staff.
• Track and monitor legislative and regulatory changes, assess their impact, and provide guidance and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Pitch media outlets and facilitate coverage of positive news stories with local, regional, and national outlets, developing. clear arguments to communicate Pittsburgh Water’s stance on key issues.
• Create supporting documentation and data-driven analyses to guide policy decisions.
• Conduct research, monitor policy changes, and develop tools to share trends with internal and external groups.
• Keep senior leadership updated on legislative efforts, events, and any information that may impact organizational goals.
• Provide internal media training and coaching to develop the media skills of the broader Public Affairs and leadership team.
• Manage the work of direct reports and other assigned project resources to ensure project deadlines are met while delivering high quality results that meet the original project objectives.
• Perform other related duties and projects as assigned.