Communications Specialist

Hazen and Sawyer • Raleigh, NC

1d • $59,900 - $80,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Hazen and Sawyer is seeking a Communications Specialist to join our growing Communications and Public Outreach practice. This role supports Hazen clients on water and environmental projects by executing strategic communications activities like developing and distributing newsletters, fact sheets, and project updates; drafting content for websites, social media, and presentations; coordinating and staffing public meetings, open houses, and stakeholder briefings; maintaining project contact lists, distribution databases, and comment-tracking logs; conducting research on community demographics and local issues to inform outreach materials; assisting with the design and layout of communication materials; scheduling and supporting client and stakeholder meetings; and providing day-to-day administrative and logistical support to senior communications staff on strategic initiatives.

Requirements

• 5+ years of professional experience in communications, public outreach, public affairs, community engagement, or stakeholder engagement
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field
• Experience developing and executing strategic communication efforts tailored to key audiences and issues, using tools and practices relevant to meet defined outcomes
• Strong writing, editing, and message development skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information
• Comfort engaging directly with clients, public agencies, and diverse stakeholders
• Experience working for a water or wastewater agency, or in a consulting agency working with water and wastewater agencies
• Experience working in a consulting agency, or multi-client environment
• Experience supporting infrastructure, environmental, public health, or water related projects
• Familiarity with risk or crisis communications principles
• Experience planning or supporting public meetings and community engagement activities (in person and virtual)
• Experience collaborating with designers, videographers, or web developers to produce outreach materials
• Proven strategic thinking skills

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the water or environmental sector is preferred, especially prior experience working with or for water utilities
• Previous communications consulting experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic communication plans and processes that are tailored to the unique demographics, issues, and available resources of clients
• Meet with client representatives to gain understanding of needs and issues of concern
• Engage with Hazen technical teams to understand complex engineering and utility management issues
• Collaborate closely with other Hazen communication team members to share expertise, resources, and insights
• Advise clients on communications strategy and engagement best practices
• Translate complex technical and regulatory information into clear, accurate, audience appropriate messages and how best to deliver those to key audiences
• Identify and analyze stakeholder groups and recommend effective engagement approaches tailored to diverse audiences
• Prepare compelling content tailored to key audiences for use in outreach materials such as fact sheets, presentations, mailers, infographics, web content, and digital engagement tools
• Attend community meetings, client discussions, and other gatherings as needed
• Self-starter with proven aptitude in strategic thinking
• Supports and implements communications and outreach efforts in collaboration with others
• Produces high-quality content and supporting visual materials
• Assists with client coordination and public engagement activities

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans)
• Pre-tax flexible spending plans for medical, dependent care, and transportation
• Short and long-term disability, and employer paid life insurance
• Paid holidays, floating holidays, and paid time off (PTO)
• Employer-contributed 401(k) plan and additional financial planning support
• Professional growth opportunities, including tuition reimbursement, in-house training, and incentives for professional registration and professional organization memberships

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level