Government and Public Relations Manager

Summary•Vail, CO

1d•$132,246 - $198,369•Onsite

About The Position

The Eagle River Water & Sanitation District (ERWSD) is seeking an experienced Government and Public Relations Manager to lead its public communications, community outreach, and emergency communication efforts. This management-level position is integral to the ERWSD's leadership team, contributing to the organization's strategic vision and playing a key role in shaping the conversation around water in the region. The role serves as the Public Information Officer, responsible for public outreach, community engagement, branding, media relations, content strategy, and emergency response communications. Additionally, the position provides guidance on board and government relations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Public Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public relations, journalism, public information, media, or a related field.
Five or more years of leadership experience, (particularly in diverse teams and leading complex projects that span across mutiple business units and departments within an organization) including at least three years of direct supervisory responsibility.
Exceptional writing and editing skills, with demonstrated ability to establish and adapt voice, tone, style, and complexity for executive, public, digital, media, and community audiences.
Demonstrated experience advising executives or senior organizational leaders on communications strategy, messaging, sensitive issues, and public-facing decisions.
Strong strategic judgment and the ability to anticipate communication implications, identify reputational risks and opportunities, and recommend an appropriate communication approach.
Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical, financial, operational, regulatory, or policy information into understandable and compelling communication.
Strong experience developing strategic messaging, storytelling, and integrated communication campaigns.
Proven experience managing social media, digital communications, websites, email communications, and content strategy.
Proven experience in media relations, crisis communications, and public information.
Strong presentation, facilitation, and public speaking skills.
Ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives and deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and communication quality.
Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships across organizational levels and work effectively with executive leaders, technical subject-matter experts, elected officials, community partners, and the public.
Sound judgment, discretion, political awareness, and composure when communicating about sensitive, controversial, or rapidly evolving issues.

Nice To Haves

Experience serving as a strategic communications advisor to the CEO/General Manager, executive team, elected officials, or governing board.
Experience working in water, wastewater, utilities, local government, special districts, or another public-sector environment.
Experience supporting governing boards, Board meetings, elected officials, or governmental communication processes.
Experience with photography, videography, graphic design, website/CMS platforms, and digital content production.
Experience using communication analytics and engagement data to evaluate and improve communication effectiveness.
Professional certification or advanced training in public relations, strategic communications, marketing, crisis communication, or public information.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary strategic communications advisor to the CEO/General Manager and Executive Leadership Team, providing counsel on organizational messaging, positioning, communication strategy, emerging issues, and public response.
Develop and lead ERWSD’s communications strategy, ensuring communication supports the District’s strategic priorities and maintains a consistent organizational voice, tone, message, and brand.
Serve as a lead writer and editor for executive and high-visibility communications, including CEO/GM messaging, Board communications, talking points, presentations, public statements, press releases, newsletters, reports, web content, social media, and other strategic materials.
Anticipate communication needs and proactively advise executive leadership on how significant organizational decisions, projects, financial matters, operational changes, and emerging issues should be communicated internally and externally.
Translate complex technical, operational, financial, regulatory, and policy information into clear, accessible, audience-focused communications without losing accuracy or context.
Support the development, administration, and execution of the District’s grant program, including identifying funding opportunities, coordinating applications, tracking requirements and deadlines, supporting grant reporting and compliance, and collaborating with departments to align grant funding with organizational priorities.
Develop strategic messaging and communication plans for major District initiatives, including water conservation, rates and financial matters, capital projects, service impacts, regulations, organizational initiatives, and other issues affecting customers and the community.
Lead ERWSD’s digital and social media strategy, including content strategy, storytelling, campaigns, audience engagement, channel management, and performance measurement.
Serve as ERWSD’s Public Information Officer and primary media spokesperson, managing media inquiries, interviews, press relationships, public information, and crisis communications.
Lead emergency and crisis communications, including participation in emergency response activities and all-hours communication support when significant incidents occur.
Lead public outreach and community engagement, including public presentations, stakeholder engagement, community meetings, open houses, facility tours, and special events.
Oversee ERWSD’s brand and establish quality standards for written, visual, digital, and public-facing communications.
Support the CEO/General Manager and Board of Directors through coordinated Board communications, presentation development, key messages, public-facing materials, and clear communication of organizational priorities and decisions.
Oversee and continuously improve Board meeting and communication processes, including coordination of Board materials, presentation standards, communication deadlines, and consistency across departments.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with municipalities, elected officials, governmental partners, community organizations, media representatives, and other key stakeholders.
Partner with Directors, managers, subject-matter experts, and project teams to identify communication needs early and develop coordinated communication strategies.
Lead, coach, and develop the Government and Public Relations department and team while establishing clear priorities, quality standards, accountability, and professional development.
Monitor media coverage, community sentiment, engagement data, and emerging issues to identify communication risks and opportunities and advise leadership accordingly.