Public Policy and Engagement Specialist

Stantec•Sacramento, CA

31d

About The Position

Stantec is a global, multi-disciplinary firm that places innovation at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. At Stantec, we thoughtfully approach every water and natural resource project we undertake—whether at the local, regional, or watershed level— and execute it with excellence across all project phases. We partner with our clients and the communities they serve to design fit-for-purpose solutions that reinforce strengths and overcome challenges. Our experts lead their fields and guide our work with scientific rigor, an innovative spirit, and a vision for growth. We’re a place where you can apply your passion and collaborate with top talent on work that’s critical to our clients, our communities, and the industry at large. Your Opportunity Stantec’s Water Resources Planning and Management group is looking to hire a Public Participation Consultant to join our team working on integrated water management and safe drinking water projects throughout California. This is a role for a talented and entrepreneurial individual with experience focused on multi-party collaborative processes, community outreach and engagement, and water resources planning and management. The selected candidate will join a team of public affairs and community water planning professionals each committed to delivering sound and strategic consulting services to a range of local, regional, state, and federal clients. This position is in and will be supervised from our office in Sacramento, California

Requirements

At least 5 to 8 years of experience supporting communities with engagement, education, and decision-making related to water, natural resources, utilities, or similar.
Bachelor's degree in environmental management, political science, public relations or communications, water resources planning, city and regional planning/urban planning, environmental science, or related field; master’s degree preferred.
Excellent written and oral communication skills with a demonstrated ability to adapt to different audiences.
Self-starter capable of efficiently and proactively working independently as well as with a geographically dispersed team on multiple projects simultaneously.
Strong sense of Team. Always willing to step in and take on additional responsibility for the good of the entire Team.
Strong attention to detail regarding quality deliverables.
Demonstrated ability to lead and manage projects and teams.
Demonstrated experience working with disadvantaged communities.
Willing to travel as needed. Travel may be up to 25%.

Nice To Haves

Spanish fluency is a plus.
Experience in the following subject matter areas preferred, but not required: California water resources. Surface water, groundwater, and recycled water supply projects. Drought planning and response. Flood management and conveyance. Natural resource management and environmental restoration. Western U.S. water resources industry, infrastructure and applicable laws, policies, and regulations. California Native American Tribes, environmental justice, and disadvantaged communities.

Responsibilities

Leverage and apply your experience with some, or all, of the following: Integrated water resources planning and management Community outreach and engagement Facilitation and participatory planning Environmental justice Water infrastructure Strategic communications Water policy and governance
Lead inter-disciplinary teams on water resources projects throughout California and the western U.S.
Prepare initial assessments and communications plans, facilitate meetings, serve as a strategic advisor and drive collaborative solutions.
Support planning and assessments for water supply, drought, sanitation, flood control, and environmental restoration projects.
Coordinate and collaborate with community members, clients, project managers, project engineers and staff, regulatory agencies, and subcontractors to create effective public policy.
Assist small and at-risk drinking water systems with effective governance and management in service to their communities, and in identifying and implementing long-term solutions to drinking water challenges
Prepare educational resources with specific learning objectives, instructional materials, and content focused on water and environmental topics, and tailored to various audiences and communities based on their needs, learning styles, and most used language.
Lead preparation and delivery of presentations for client exhibits, in-person and online community engagement events, public presentations, and plan documents for online and hard copy publication.
Mentor and supervise younger level staff.
Serve as an independent reviewer of materials prepared by peers or junior staff to ensure technical accuracy and appropriateness of messaging and content.