SOUTH COAST AQMD AND JOB OVERVIEW

This is a promotional recruitment, open only to current South Coast AQMD employees, and is expected to result in an eligible list from which current and future Senior Public Information Specialist vacancies, with similar backgrounds, may be filled during the life of the list.

There is currently a vacant Senior Public Affairs Specialist position approved to be filled in the Environmental Justice Unit of the Legislative & Public Affairs/Media Office.

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The primary responsibilities of the position, in support of the Environmental Justice Unit, will include, but are not limited, to the following:

Will act as contact for South Coast AQMD within environmental justice communities.
Researches, identifies, and analyzes emerging environmental justice programs and related issues, and recommends or assists in the achievement of goals and objectives related to South Coast AQMD's environmental justice program.
Creates positive working relationships with environmental justice organizations and community leaders and/or active residents living in and around environmental justice communities; interacts with representatives of environmental justice organizations and communities to represent South Coast AQMD and report back to management stakeholders' relative concerns, as well as possible resolutions to effectively address those concerns.
Builds and maintains cooperative alliances with environmental justice organizations and communities, and participates in or speaks at various meetings, or other events to share information and inform stakeholders regarding South Coast AQMD's environmental justice program, as well as other programs and services offered by the agency.
Prepares a wide variety of correspondence, recommendations, reports, and other written documents related to South Coast AQMD's environmental justice program, intergovernmental affairs program, or in response to inquiries, concerns, complaints, and suggestions relative to the above-referenced programs and activities.
Consults with other professional and technical staff members to gather pertinent facts and information in order to effectively communicate complex and scientific issues, both verbally and in writing, in such a way that community members can easily understand.
Participates in public information, public participation, and community liaison programs, as needed, to advise and disseminate information to legislators, local officials, and the general public, school districts, public agencies, small business, and private organizations.
Prepares and delivers presentations, speeches, testimony or other communications targeted to key audiences, including for management or Board members.
Takes the lead, assists, or provides support with special assignments or with other departmental projects and events.

PLEASE NOTE: This position will require frequent attendance at evening and weekend meetings or events.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS: This class is also distinguished from the Public Affairs Specialist class by the degree of responsibility for the development and implementation of comprehensive media liaison or public information, public participation, and community liaison programs.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

The general Example of Duties for this classification are highlighted below, for full description of duties please refer to this link here.

Supervises and coordinates the activities of the Advertising, Outreach, Publications, Notification, Small Business, or Public Information sections of the Public Advisor's Office.
Acts as media liaison, responding to media inquiries on subjects relating to the South Coast AQMD activities; prepares press releases or arranges press conferences on such subjects as public hearings, rule and legislative changes, and announcements of air quality conditions.
Coordinates and reviews the work plan for an assigned section; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns work activities and projects; monitors work flow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures.
Recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; establishes schedules and methods for providing assigned services; implements policies and procedures.
Prepares unreviewed correspondence in reply to inquiries, general complaints, and suggestions relative to the South Coast AQMD programs and activities; consults with other professional and technical staff members for pertinent facts and information.
Assists small business in applying for Permits to Operate and Variances from South Coast AQMD Rules and Regulations; develops and maintains a data base on the economic impact and cost-effectiveness of South Coast AQMD rules on small business, which includes providing information on low-cost financing for control equipment.
Supervises and participates in South Coast AQMD wide public information, public participation, and community liaison programs in order to advise and disseminate information to the general public, school South Coast AQMD, public agencies, small business, and private organizations on South Coast AQMD programs, activities, regulations, and administrative proceedings.
Writes and edits various South Coast AQMD publications, such as brochures, fact sheets, pamphlets, and newsletters for distribution to the public, employees, private organizations, and small businesses.
Participates in the selection of assigned staff; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct performance deficiencies; implements discipline procedures.
Speaks at presentations, such as workshops, panel discussions, fairs, and other similar events, tailoring information to the subject and particular audience.
Plans, designs, and arranges for the production of posters, signs, exhibits, and displays, and arranges exhibits at meetings, workshops, and other community and civic programs.
Identifies, creates, and places communications targeted to key audiences, including speeches, speech reprints, testimony, videos, slideshows, and mobile exhibits; writes speeches for South Coast AQMD senior management staff and Board members; researches material for use in speeches; analyzes emerging issues.
Designs and presents South Coast AQMD films, slide shows, and other audio visual programs, and operates related equipment.
Plans and arranges for special conferences, workshops, public hearings, and coordinates visitor tours; assists in the preparation of the annual budget.

MINIMUM AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to the Minimum Qualifications which follow, the most competitively qualified candidates will also possess:

A Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in journalism, communications, public relations, public administration, political science, or a related field.
Professional experience working for or with an environmental justice organization(s) and/or environmental organization(s).
Professional experience developing and successfully implementing an environmental justice outreach program.
Professional experience working for a government agency or in a highly political environment.
Professional experience working with stakeholders who reflect a broad diversity of backgrounds and concerns.
Knowledge of high-profile environmental justice campaigns and trends.
Knowledge of environmental justice communities within the South Coast Air Quality Management District region.
Ability to clearly communicate (verbally and in writing) technical and complex information to non-technical audiences.
Ability to create and maintain positive working relationships with environmental justice organizations and/or causes and creating partnerships that resulted in effective solutions relative to environmental justice concerns of non-technical audiences.
Ability to diplomatically and persuasively deal with sensitive and controversial issues.
Ability to interact easily with all levels of South Coast AQMD staff, the Executive Officer, and the Governing Board.
Ability to thrive in a high-energy work environment where there are constant deadlines and rapidly changing and competing priorities.
Excellent written communications skills, necessary to prepare a wide variety of correspondence, recommendations, and reports.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

-EITHER I-

EXPERIENCE: Four years of progressively responsible experience conducting research; writing and editing brochures, articles, and/or news releases for publication; and preparing and making public presentations before groups.

EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, business or public administration, political science, or a related field may substitute for up to two years of the required experience.

-OR II-

EXPERIENCE: Two years of experience as a Public Affairs Specialist.

KNOWLEDGE OF: Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive public information program; principles and practices of public information, media relations, journalism, and public relations; principles of graphic design and photography; principles, techniques, and methods for the dissemination of information and development of public participation programs; principles used in writing, composition, layout, and production of educational, informational, and promotional materials; principles of video production, and the operation of video equipment; correct English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary; principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation; techniques of event promotion and advertising; general characteristics and mission of public agencies.

ABILITY TO: Deal tactfully and effectively with the public, the media, and representatives of the business community; speak in public and before groups; write clear and understandable educational and informational materials and news releases; plan, assign, supervise, and review the work of employees engaged in public information activities; maintain records and prepare reports; create appropriate informational and promotional materials; recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient media liaison, public relations, and promotional programs for the South Coast AQMD; prepare clear and effective press releases and advertisements; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including South Coast AQMD staff, government officials, community groups, members of the media, and the general public.

LICENSE: Possession of a valid California Class "C" Driver's License.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

APPLICATION PACKETS MUST INCLUDE

A completed employment application covering at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience), and your entire South Coast AQMD employment history if you are a South Coast AQMD employee.
Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ). The SQ is a form of written test and will be evaluated as such. Your responses should be well written, clear, concise, and directly responsive to the question.
An unofficial copy of your transcripts (or equivalency evaluation if your education was obtained outside the U.S.), documenting all qualifying education claimed, submitted as an attachment to your online application*.

*You MUST submit acceptable documentation for all education claimed on your application. Acceptable documentation consists of an unofficial copy of your transcripts/equivalency evaluation attached to your application. At a later date, candidates under final consideration will be required to arrange for original, official transcripts (or equivalency evaluation, if applicable) to be mailed directly from their college/university to South Coast AQMD, documenting all education claimed on their application.

Job applications must be completely filled out. A resume cannot be substituted for the required information. Be sure to detail any education, training or other relevant coursework that would make you a particularly strong candidate.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Application packets and responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire will be carefully reviewed, and only those candidates with the most competitive and/or directly transferable experience will be invited to the next step of the process, which is expected to be a Qualifications Appraisal Panel (QAP) interview (which may include a writing exercise and/or a presentation). (Please note that some assessments may be conducted remotely).

Following the assessment process, a ranked eligible list is expected to be created, from which current and future vacancies may be filled, during the 6-month life of the list. Only those who demonstrate they are among the most competitively qualified, at each successive step of the selection process, will be advanced to the next step.

Important note for potential candidates who do not have the continued and unrestricted right to work full time in the United States: If you currently, or will in the future, require sponsorship (i.e., H1-B Visa) in order to maintain your right to work in the United States, please be aware that this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

South Coast AQMD reserves the right to add, delete, and modify any elements of the selection process as deemed appropriate, based on the number and quality of applicants at each step.

Please call Human Resources at least one week in advance if you might need an accommodation at any step during the selection process. If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Human Resources Department at (909) 396-2800.

Benefits

TECHNICAL & ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OVERVIEW

BENEFIT

DESCRIPTION

Monthly Benefit Allotment

$1,912, to purchase medical, dental, and life insurance, with unused portion paid to you as cash. Your insurance coverage becomes effective on the first of the month following completion of 30 dyas of continuous service. Dependent children may be covered to age 26 on medical, dental and vision plans.

Medical Health Plans

Blue Shield PPO

Blue Shield PPO Savings Plus 2250 (High Deductible Plan)

Blue Shield HMO

Kaiser HMO

Kaiser HSA HMO 1500 (High Deductible Plan)

Dental Plans

Delta Dental PPO (without orthodontic benefits)

Delta Dental PPO (with orthodontic benefits for children only)

DeltaCare (PMI) Dental

Vision Plan

EyeMed – Optional

Life Insurance

$10,000 Term Life Insurance

(Optional additional life insurance, paid by you, at 1X, 2X, or 3X your salary)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Claremont EAP, powered by Uprise Health. EAP benefits are available to all employees and their familes at no cost to you. The EAP offers confidential advice, support and practical solutions to real-life issues. Confidential Therapy, 24-hour crisis help and online peer support groups.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment

Optional

Section 125

Optional Plans (Medical Reimbursement; Dependent Care)

Work Schedule

Four 10-hour days, Tuesday through Friday

Vacation

80 hours per year, increasing to 120 after five years

Holidays

13 paid holidays per year

Sick Leave

100 hours per year

Other Leaves

Bereavement; Jury Duty; Military; Witness

Tuition Reimbursement

Reimbursed up to $5,000 per year

Deferred Compensation (457 Plan)

Optional (Employee may contribute up to the IRS maximum). South Coast AQMD matches, dollar for dollar, up to $300 per year for the regular plan.

Retirement

2.5% @ 67 defined benefit plan – Applies to employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who, at time of hire, were not members of the San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association (SBCERA) or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established.

2.0% @ 55 defined benefit plan – Applies to employees who, prior to January 1, 2013, were active members of SBCERA or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established.

Employees pay only the Medicare portion of Social Security.

1/1/2024

Supplemental Questions

Provide an overview of your qualifications for this position, based upon both the minimum and desirable qualifications (including education, experience, knowledge, and abilities), as detailed in the job posting. Include your background and experience in the area of Environmental Justice, including work with communities and the use of research or data to inform public policy or program decisions.

Please provide one example of your experience planning, coordinating, or participating in an Environmental Justice (EJ)-related community outreach activity, meeting, or event. In your response, include:
o The purpose of the outreach activity and your specific role;
o The type and approximate size of the audience;
o Your involvement in developing outreach materials (e.g., brochures, fact sheets, presentations, flyers, or public notices); and
o Your experience collaborating with and maintaining relationships with public-sector partners, regulatory agencies, community-based organizations, and other cross-agency stakeholders.

Describe your experience speaking or presenting to public-sector partners, community organizations, and stakeholder groups. Include the topics presented, audience size, and how you have built trust and ongoing relationships while communicating policy, technical, or research-based information to diverse audiences.

Are you willing and able to work overtime and/or evenings/weekends as needed?

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer: South Coast Air Quality Management District
Address: 21865 Copley Drive

Diamond Bar, California, 91765
Phone: 909-396-2800
Website: http://www.aqmd.gov