Closing Date: January 25, 2012
MVR: Yes
Hiring Range: $4,611 to $5,879 per month
Denver Water proudly serves high-quality water and promotes its efficient use to 1.3 million people in the city of Denver and many surrounding suburbs. Established in 1918, the utility is a public agency funded by water rates and new tap fees, not taxes. It is Colorado’s oldest and largest water utility.
The Communications Section of Denver Water’s Public Affairs Division is currently seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Media Relations Coordinator. The successful candidate will be responsible for the following duties:
- Providing information to media outlets by generating news releases and articles, hold news conferences, and act as a media liaison and spokesperson to disseminate organization-related information to inform and educate the public;
- Developing and maintaining an internal editorial calendar and consulting with internal personnel to identify and develop storylines about Denver Water operations, programs and services through traditional and social media;
- Helping execute rapid response for breaking stories, including providing information and messages on an around-the-clock basis, if necessary, with after-hours and weekend on-call duty;
- Conceptualizing, developing, maintaining and promoting content for Denver Water’s blog and social networks, and increasing outreach to blogs and other new media;
- Assisting in website updates; and
- Managing necessary administrative functions.
Qualifications for this position
Education
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in communications, journalism, public relations or a related field.
Experience
Four years of experience in public relations, communications, news media or related experience, including community outreach, marketing, research, or writing and editing of internal and external publications.
License, certificate or credentials
Must possess and maintain a valid class R Colorado driver’s license, and have a satisfactory driving record. Fluency in Spanish is a plus.
Skills
- Excellent verbal and presentation skills, including knowledge and experience in communicating with the news media.
- Ability to write in a variety of formats and styles, and ability to follow AP Style; portfolio should include a variety of samples showcasing range.
- Crisis management experience and knowledge of techniques required to manage the release of information during emergency situations.
- Ability to develop and maintain social media and online communications.
- Ability to use independent judgment in the exercise of daily responsibilities; work effectively under deadlines.
- Strong competency in public relations.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
- Fluency in Spanish a plus.
- HTML knowledge a plus.
- Video shooting and editing experience a plus.
Other requirements
May be required to perform on-call duty, and work weekends, holidays and overtime as directed.
Denver Water offers excellent benefits 
that include deferred compensation plans, health and dental coverage, life insurance and vacation/holiday/sick leave. All employment offers are contingent on the successful completion of a post-offer physical, which includes drug and alcohol testing. A background check will be conducted to verify information submitted on application.
Recruiter: Brian Haggerty, 303-628-6449
- Applications are only accepted through our online application system.
- Denver Water will not accept or consider applications that are mailed, emailed, faxed, or dropped off at our office.
- No resumes will be accepted unless they are attached to an online application.
- Employment applications are accepted for current openings only.
