The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties, locations, and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this job. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description, and incumbent(s) may be required to perform work-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description. This job description is not a “contract” between the employee and the Authority. The job duties and essential functions may be changed at the discretion of the General Manager.

General

Job Title:	Communications Specialist	Job Code:	P0571
Supervises Directly:	No
New or Revised:	Revised	Regular or At-Will:	At-Will
Date Last Revised:	9/6/2024	Exempt or Non-Exempt:	Exempt
Compensation Approval Signature:		Union/ Non-Union:	Non-Union
Department Name and Division:	Marketing and Communications-Central Administration	Salary Schedule:	Non-Union Salary Range
Cost Center Code:	103000	Grade:	NU16
Essential Position:	No	Reports To:	Senior Manager, Communications
EEO Code:	Professionals	Work Format	Hybrid

Who We Are & What We Do:

At DC Water, we provide more than 700,000 District of Columbia residents and 24.6 million annual visitors with essential water, wastewater, and stormwater services. DC Water also provides wholesale wastewater treatment services for 1.8 million people in Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland, and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia. We aspire to be known for superior service, ingenuity, and stewardship to advance the health and well-being of our diverse workforce and communities. To achieve this vision, we commit to our shared mission every day—exceeding expectations by providing high quality water services in a safe, environmentally friendly, and efficient manner.

Role Description:

The Communications Specialist provides communications support for DC Water programs, services, and activities. Assists the Senior Manager, Communications in developing and implementing communications programs and campaigns to engage customers and employees.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Writes and edits materials for external and internal communications, including speeches, correspondence, news releases, articles, brochures, scripts and web content.
• Researches, writes and edits stories for publications including the “FOCUS” employee newsletter, “What’s on Tap” customer newsletter, Drinking Water Quality Report, and DC Water’s Annual Report.
• Helps Coordinate news conferences and special events.
• Assists in handling media inquiries, scheduling interviews, and preparing statements.
• Provides support for communication with employees, customers and stakeholders during emergencies and other unusual situations.
• Updates the DC Water Internet and external website.
• Writes articles to be placed in industry based and community publications in support of DC Water’s strategic goals.
• Provides communications support to other departments within DC Water and helps manage requests to produce and disseminate Authority-wide communications and materials.
• Helps develop and manage internal communications campaigns to publicize DC Water programs, initiatives and employees.

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Key Working Relationships: Internal and external stakeholders, including DC Water’s Board of Directors; senior management and staff of the Authority; public officials in federal, state, and local government; and the public.

Skills & Qualifications:

The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for an individual to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable amounts of training are provided.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Required Experience:

Three (3) to five (5) years of progressive experience in organizational communications, including writing and copy-editing

Minimum Education Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Mass Communications, Marketing, or a related field from an accredited college or university; or an equivalent combination of education and experience consisting of a high school diploma or GED and seven (7) years of progressive experience in organizational communications, including writing and copy-editing;

Required Skills:

Written and Verbal Communications

Communication of Complex Topics for effective employee and external communications

Social Media Management

Platforms and Tech Literacy

Required Licenses & Certifications:

None

Required Languages:

English

Physical Requirements:

General office conditions

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

Preferred Experience:

None

Preferred Education Requirements:

None

Preferred Skills:

None

Preferred Languages:

Spanish

*The work environment characteristics described in the physical requirements section of the required skills & qualifications table are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities.

Your Experience at DC Water:

At DC Water, our people make us an industry leader. Join a group of thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers focused on protecting life’s most precious resource in the nation’s capital.

• Take pride in your work. We provide an essential service and do work that matters. A career at DC Water is an exciting opportunity to help improve the environment and make a lasting difference for the community.

• Connect to a strong culture. Everything we do is grounded in our shared values—accountability, trust, teamwork, customer focus, safety, and wellbeing.

• Be your true self. We are an inclusive organization that embraces diversity, and we recognize and celebrate employees’ individuality and unique contributions.

• Build your skills and career path. We are committed to developing a future-ready workforce by helping our employees develop skills for the jobs of tomorrow.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against “qualified individuals with disabilities”.

If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to

perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please

email complianceada@dcwater.com.