Senior Communications and Public Involvement Coordinator

WSP • San Diego, CA

4d

About The Position

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Communications and Public Involvement Coordinator to support energy and infrastructure projects in San Diego and Southern California. Be involved in projects with our Communications Advisory Services Practice and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges.
The position will support communications and public engagement efforts for infrastructure projects in the greater San Diego area, with a focus on energy and sanitation. The position may support other WSP communications and public involvement efforts nationally as needed. This is an exciting opportunity to join our national team of talented communications and public outreach/public information professionals.
Your Impact
Serve as a key communications and outreach consultant on infrastructure projects, including energy and sanitation projects
Implement effective public outreach strategies for infrastructure projects
Take initiative and ownership of public involvement tasks to develop effective strategies that solicit feedback and input from the public
Serve as liaison between projects and the community
Develop and implement strategic messages that educate the community on the purpose, need, benefits and perceived impacts of projects and programs
Provide as-needed in-person public involvement support at tabling events, open houses and construction sites
Coordinate, facilitate and participate in virtual in-person public meetings and community events as assigned
Provide guidance on responses to public inquiries and escalated stakeholder issues
Manage development of strategic social media outreach plans including the research, writing and vetting of various posts (X, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
Manage content development for a variety of communication channels, including website, social media, talking points, presentations, marketing materials and media notifications
Monitor, archive, and escalate media coverage of project issues
Develop performance metrics to analyze the effectiveness of outreach campaigns, including website and social media content
Coordinate closely with project teams and clients on communications and public involvement alignment with client priorities and program messaging
Participate in external project, agency, and community meetings to provide public involvement updates and help identify public involvement issues
Coordinate development of project deliverables and public outreach according to project schedule
Build strong relationships with technical team members and clients and assist with business development activities
Interact in a clear and concise manner with a variety of diverse audiences
Perform other duties as assigned or required by WSP USA Inc. and our clients
Talent is the essence of meeting our client’s objectives, goals and challenges. If this sounds like a fit for you, we’d love to have that first discussion of you joining our team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Politics, Planning or related field, or comparable experience
• 5-7 years of communications and public involvement experience
• Outstanding oral, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Superior organizational and time management skills with a high attention to detail
• Proven experience writing and editing content for fact sheets, websites, social media, and/or media releases
• Ability to understand and translate complex, technical information into easy-to-understand content for public consumption
• Previous experience working on infrastructure projects with a cross-discipline team
• Deadline driven with the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to help de-escalate and mitigate community concerns
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office, Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to work effectively with teams and demonstrate initiative to lead tasks
• Ability to work well with the public and interact effectively with all organizational levels, including senior management
• Ability to work beyond standard business hours on some nights and weekends
• Candidate must be able to immediately work in the United States on a full time permanent basis.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated expertise with public involvement best practices
• Communications and public involvement experience with energy and other infrastructure projects
• Knowledge of and project experience working with local public agencies
• Established relationships with local public agency staff
• Previous experience with team management
• Previous experience with elected official, stakeholder, and media communications
• Previous experience managing blended teams with subconsultants
• Contract management and business development experience, including developing proposals, scopes and budgets
• Experience interviewing for future projects
• Willingness to work part-time in a project office
• San Diego-based candidates encouraged to apply

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key communications and outreach consultant on infrastructure projects, including energy and sanitation projects
• Implement effective public outreach strategies for infrastructure projects
• Take initiative and ownership of public involvement tasks to develop effective strategies that solicit feedback and input from the public
• Serve as liaison between projects and the community
• Develop and implement strategic messages that educate the community on the purpose, need, benefits and perceived impacts of projects and programs
• Provide as-needed in-person public involvement support at tabling events, open houses and construction sites
• Coordinate, facilitate and participate in virtual in-person public meetings and community events as assigned
• Provide guidance on responses to public inquiries and escalated stakeholder issues
• Manage development of strategic social media outreach plans including the research, writing and vetting of various posts (X, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
• Manage content development for a variety of communication channels, including website, social media, talking points, presentations, marketing materials and media notifications
• Monitor, archive, and escalate media coverage of project issues
• Develop performance metrics to analyze the effectiveness of outreach campaigns, including website and social media content
• Coordinate closely with project teams and clients on communications and public involvement alignment with client priorities and program messaging
• Participate in external project, agency, and community meetings to provide public involvement updates and help identify public involvement issues
• Coordinate development of project deliverables and public outreach according to project schedule
• Build strong relationships with technical team members and clients and assist with business development activities
• Interact in a clear and concise manner with a variety of diverse audiences
• Perform other duties as assigned or required by WSP USA Inc. and our clients

Benefits

• WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.
• WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs.
• Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees