Get to Know Us – Our Why:

MCWD believes that water is a central organizing element in the development of sustainable cities.  We know that our lakes, streams, and wetlands have the power to underpin community identity, and grow social, environmental, and economic value. This is why we are dedicated to building a landscape of vibrant communities where nature and the built environment exist in balance and create value and enjoyment.  We are pursuing a vision of A Balanced Urban Ecology through public-private partnerships that protect and improve water, while creating a sense of place within the watershed.

How We Work Together – Our Culture:

MCWD is a leader in watershed management—it’s a place to explore your potential and to push boundaries. We know that our success is driven by talented people who want to grow, think, and create. Our culture thrives on ideas, imagination, initiative, and the power that diverse perspectives bring to our collective mission.  At MCWD, we enjoy the challenge of deep, meaningful work and appreciate the power we have as a team to achieve excellence in a constantly evolving environment. Our team is growing, to reach 27 in coming months. MCWD is dedicated to cultivating a diverse team and welcomes applications from candidates representing a broad spectrum of backgrounds and experiences, including individuals of color.

Who You Will Work With – The Team:

The Outreach Program’s success requires a dynamic, nimble team of driven, creative, critical thinkers. The team will use its expertise in stakeholder engagement, information design, and strategic communications to (1) draw deep insights that inform planning and decision making and (2) lead exceptional written, verbal, and visual storytelling. As Outreach Coordinator, you will create impactful narratives and data-driven stories and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders by designing thoughtful engagement strategies. You will report to the Outreach Manager and collaborate to implement MCWD’s strategic outreach direction.

What You Will Be Doing – The Job:

Lead Effective Engagement and Facilitation

• Develop strategic engagement plans for key initiatives and refine MCWD’s stakeholder relationship management systems.
• Organize meetings and events by planning facilitation, coordinating logistics, and preparing materials.
• Support the operation of the District’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).
• Manage relationships with key stakeholders and the general public.

Create Powerful Narratives and Develop Data-Driven Stories

• Create original written and visual content for all communications channels to increase stakeholder understanding and support of key initiatives and MCWD’s approach.
• Lead work across programs to interpret data and develop data-driven stories and visuals to make complex data engaging, and accessible.
• Maintain the District’s brand identity by ensuring conformance to the MCWD Brand Manual.
• Manage the MCWD’s website, improving user experience, maintaining content, and ensuring accessibility.
• Develop effective and efficient communications workflows and asset management systems.
• Actively monitor best practices and trends in communications and information design.

Manage Strategic Media Relations

• Monitor and analyze media and social media relevant to the District’s geography and key initiatives.
• Cultivate relationships with journalists and develop proactive news releases to implement media strategies for MCWD campaigns.

Contribute to Outreach Program’s Planning, Strategy, and Implementation

• Assist in managing, evaluating, and updating the District’s Outreach strategy, workflow, and the design and implementation of engagement and communications plans to support key initiatives.
• Research, implement, and evaluate strategies and tactics for accessible and equitable engagement/communications, including those traditionally left out of government processes.
• Manage administrative aspects of the Outreach Program.

What You Will Bring to MCWD:

• A passion for advancing MCWD’s Balanced Urban Ecology vision of watershed management
• Demonstrated experience catalyzing interpersonal relationships and organizational partnerships with the power of storytelling and meaningful engagement
• Bachelor's degree with coursework in sociology, design, planning, communications, journalism, geography, environmental studies, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
• 3-5 years of experience in community engagement, communications, public relations, website management/design, content strategy, journalism, sustainability, data visualization, or related discipline
• Strong and engaging verbal, visual, and written communication skills, including ability to flex communication style to multiple cultural environments (ability to speak a second language a plus)
• Intermediate knowledge of best practices and principles for meeting facilitation, consensus-building, and community engagement, including equitable and inclusive approaches.
• General knowledge of design/desktop publishing programs, website management, content management systems, editorial process, photo/video, social media, science/climate/policy communications
• An ability to manage multiple projects with different deadlines and prioritize workload
• The capacity to track, digest, and manage detail while maintaining a strategic perspective
• A drive to stretch, learn, and grow in a high-performing environment
• Flexible thinking, adaptability, and a desire to continuously improve products, processes, and services
• A propensity for interpersonal communications, and the ability to build consensus
• A drive to build lasting relationships across a diverse set of stakeholders

What We Can Offer You:

MCWD believes that taking care of its people is the right thing to do.  We strive to provide an environment that supports great work, balanced with a great life, by offering:

• The opportunity to influence the strategy of a mission-driven leader in watershed management
• A commitment to maintaining competitive total compensation as a means to recruit and retain top talent to support our mission
• Employer-paid health and dental coverage
• A collaborative and supportive culture
• Flexible hybrid work environment
• Generous number of vacation and sick days each year
• 12 paid holidays per year
• Opportunities for growth and professional development, including tuition reimbursement, professional credentialing, and continuing education through conferences and seminars