Director of External Affairs

Salary : $194,719.20 - $292,078.80 Annually
Location : Calabasas, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2025-00381
Department: External Affairs
Opening Date: 03/24/2025
Closing Date: 4/27/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Position
Under the administrative direction of an Assistant General Manager, the Director of External Affairs plans, organizes, and directs the programs, projects, services, operations, and activities of the External Affairs Department and provides leadership and direction to department staff in the implementation of District goals, policies, programs, and procedures.

This is a newly established position that has been conceptually approved by the District's Board of Directors and is pending final Board approval.
Please click on this link to view the recruitment brochure.
When completing the application, a cover letter and resume must be submitted to be considered for this opportunity. In the cover letter, applicants should address their experience in the following areas:

Planning and overseeing external affairs functions (i.e., customer service; public relations, outreach, and communication; resource conservation/advocacy; legislative and governmental affairs);

Managing strategic communications and partnerships with the public or outside entities on behalf of an organization to further the organization's strategic objectives;

Implementing large-scale, complex, and/or highly visible organizational initiatives that demonstrates strong competency in program and change management;

Managing staff, including the size and general roles of staff managed, and methods used to successfully develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for a work group and communicate organizational initiatives to staff.

The recruitment process will consist of an application review (including cover letter addressing the areas requested above), 1st round (structured) interview, and 2nd round (selection) interview. The tentative dates for the interviews are listed below:

1st Round Tentative Interview Date Range: May 7 or 8, 2025
2nd Round Tentative Interview Date Range: May 19-22, 2025

Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment process via e-mail.
Essential Duties
Develops and implements goals, objectives, programs, policies, and procedures for the External Affairs Department; provides leadership and direction to department staff in the implementation of department and District goals, objectives, programs, policies and procedures; facilitates collaboration with other departments in the delivery of services and operations.
Plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the customer service division, including field and office customer service functions and activities.
Plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the public affairs and communications division, including media relations and communications, public relations and education, and community outreach functions and activities.
Plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the resource conservation division, including environmental stewardship, watershed management, water conservation, and associated regulatory compliance; participates in local, regional, state, and federal planning and partnerships to maintain the District's leadership role in water conservation.
Plans, organizes, and directs the activities of the legislative and government affairs program, including the development and implementation of the legislative priorities of the District and its joint powers authority.
Directs the District's interactions with a variety of entities including elected and appointed bodies and officials, including local, state and federal agencies, boards, bureaus, and forums, and media outlets, business interests, environmental groups, community service organizations, local homeowners' associations, and public and private sector organizations, to further the District's strategic priorities.
Directs the preparation and administration of the department budget.
Keeps abreast of new and emerging trends and developments in the customer service, public affairs, resource conservation, and legislative fields; evaluates, recommends, and implements new and innovative practices, techniques, and technology.
In collaboration with other members of the executive leadership team, develops policy and management recommendations to the Board of Directors through strategic planning and long-range program development activities.
Develops and conducts a variety of complex and technical projects, studies, reports, and presentations; prepares and delivers presentations to the Board; represents and delivers presentations on behalf of the District to other bodies, groups, and associations.
Interviews and recommends selection of candidates; establishes performance expectations and performance standards for the department; oversees plans and actions for employee development; prepares and conducts employee evaluations; conducts informal counseling on work issues; prepares documentation and improvement plans to address work performance problems/deficiencies; and recommends and implements approved disciplinary actions.
Qualifications
DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE OF AND PERFORMANCE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

• Customer service principles, practices, and techniques;
• Methods and techniques of media and public relations, community education, and public involvement;
• Public and environmental concerns and issues related to water and sewer reclamation and resource conservation;

• Principles and practices of public policy development, legislative process and intergovernmental relations;
• Methods and techniques of establishing and maintaining strategic relationships;

• Principles and methods of public administration, including principles and methods of effective employee relations and personnel policies and procedures;
• Principles, techniques, and methods of project management;
• District operations, functions, programs, services, policies, procedures, goals, objectives, and strategic priorities;
• Laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to the District's customer service functions, public affairs, legislative and governmental affairs, watershed management, conservation, environmental protection and documentation;
• Principles and practices of effective leadership and management;
• Techniques for budget planning and development;

ABILITY TO:

• Direct the work of the customer service, public affairs and communications, and resource conservation divisions, and the legislative program, and provide effective management and supervision to management staff;
• Lead, direct, motivate, and coordinate the work of others to carry out department operations and achieve District goals and objectives;
• Foster and promote a positive workplace culture of inclusivity, initiative, innovation, collaboration, and collegiality;
• Perform long-term strategic planning to meet department needs;
• Develop and implement effective and innovative projects and programs to achieve department goals and objectives;
• Establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with staff, elected officials, community organizations, interest groups, and government agencies;
• Develop and deliver effective presentations;
• Identify and evaluate complex problems and develop and recommend effective solutions;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Organize work to meet constantly changing priorities and deadlines;
• Exercise a high level of initiative and independence of sound judgment and action;
• Plan, develop, and administer department budget;
• Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports;
• Operate office equipment, including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, email, and database applications.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

• Sufficient eyesight to read fine statistical reports and standard text and data on computer screens;
• Ability to speak and hear at normal conversational levels in person and over the telephone;
• Manual dexterity to write legibly and to use calculators, computers, and other general office equipment;
• Ability to lift and carry up to approximately ten (10) pounds; and to reach, bend, or crouch to access files and records;
• Ability to travel to different sites and locations.

Training and Experience Guidelines
Any combination of training and experience, which demonstrates attainment of the required knowledge and ability to perform the required work (with reasonable accommodation, if needed), typically:
EDUCATION:

A bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, public relations, communications, journalism, public policy, political science, a technical or life science (e.g., environmental engineering, chemistry, biology, environmental health), or a related field. A master's degree in one of these fields is preferred.
EXPERIENCE:

Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible related experience, with at least three (3) years of management experience, including responsibility for managing strategic communications and partnerships with the public or outside entities.
REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

A valid California class C driver's license must be maintained at all times.
It is the policy of the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District to ensure equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of their race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical impairment, ancestry, medical condition, marital status, or age (except where a bona fide occupational qualification). The District will act to ensure equal treatment to all persons in matters affecting recruitment, hiring, promotion, discipline, compensation, assignment, benefits, training, and layoff practices, and any other matters affecting employment with the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District. The same policy applies to all qualified Vietnam- era veterans, disabled veterans or other persons with disabilities that are capable of performing a particular job with reasonable accommodation to their disability.

In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance in the selection process please notify the Human Resources Division, in writing, upon applying.
Medical Insurance
The District currently covers up to $2,051.18 per month of the monthly premium cost of the offered medical plans and offers a choice of HMO and PPO plans.

Dental Insurance
The District provides dental insurance for employees and their dependents.

Vision Care
The District provides vision care for employees and offers an option for dependent coverage.

Life Insurance
The District provides coverage in the amount of $50,000 plus annual base salary.

Short & Long Term Disability
The District provides coverage for continuation of two-thirds of salary, up to a maximum of $15,000 per month for absences that qualify under the plans.

Vacation
Initially earned at 4.00 hours per bi-weekly pay period up to a total of 6.46 hours per pay period.

Holidays
The District observes 12 holidays per year.

Management Leave
Employees may use up to 88 hours per year.

Sick Leave
Employees earn 8 hours per month.

Deferred Compensation Plan
The District provides 3% of base salary deferred and matched on a dollar for dollar basis into either a 401(a) or a 457(b) plan.

Retirement
Tier I - 2% at 55 for employees defined as "Classic" members by the California Public Retirement System; 7% employee contribution.

Tier II - 2% at 62 for new members to CalPERS; Employees contribute 50% of normal cost up to an annual maximum, currently 7.00% of salary up to $155,081.

In addition to CalPERS, the District participates in Social Security. The District and employees contribute a required percentage of base wages for Social Security.

Retiree Medical Benefits
Employees hired after January 1, 2014, with at least 10 years of District service who are age 55 or older at retirement, shall receive a retiree medical benefit in the amount of 75% of the Kaiser Permanente Traditional HMO plan at the employee only level.

Tuition Reimbursement
After six (6) months of employment, employees may request up to $685 per course for continuing education reimbursement.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Employees may allocate up to $3,300 per year to pre-tax accounts for qualified medical and $5,000 per year for qualified dependent care expenses.

Wellness Center
Employees have access to an on-site fitness facility at no cost. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in a Wellness Program.
Physical Fitness Program
Employees may be reimbursed for up to $500/fiscal year for payment of costs with primary emphasis on preventive health maintenance, relative to obtaining/receiving a comprehensive physical examination, membership to private gym facilities, purchase of home gym equipment, or membership for at-home fitness programs.
Flexible Work Schedule
The District offers flexible work schedules based on the position and District operational needs. The General Manager may approve occasional or regular partial or full day telecommuting schedules that meet the operational needs and policies of the District.