Minimum Pay Rate: $98,217.60
Maximum Pay Rate: $130,062.40
Civil Service Status: Civil Service
Apply by Date: 10/04/2024
Posting Type: Open
Are you a strategic, creative, driven and highly organized communicator with a passion for storytelling? Do you have experience writing and creating content and information for internal and external audiences? We’re looking for a passionate communicator to join our busy Corporate Communications team to create compelling stories to engage our employees, customers and community with SMUD’s programs, services and our bold 2030 Clean Energy Vision to achieve the most ambitious carbon reduction goal of any large utility in the United States.
The intent of this job posting is to fill one (1) full-time, regular position AND to establish an eligibility list which may be used to fill one full-time, regular position and any future, full-time, regular or limited-term vacancies for up to two (2) years.
See "Supplemental Questions" section below. Failure to respond to the questions may preclude you from moving forward in this process.
In your cover letter, please respond to the following questions. Failure to respond may preclude you from moving forward in this process. Please do not indicate “refer to resume” as a response to the questions as it will be viewed as incomplete. Within your cover letter, please describe the following:
- Please describe your experience developing and executing strategic communications plans.
- Please describe your experience developing various communication mediums for different audiences.
- Please describe your experience serving as an account rep to internal clients.
Develops and implements communication strategies that inform employees and create positive employee perceptions of SMUD; oversees administration of the internal web site, including content and navigation, and developing and managing communication plans; may advise executive management on appropriate communication strategies for sensitive and volatile issues often having access to highly confidential information; may work directly with the news media, independent of management oversight.
This classification is comprised of two levels: Level I is the entry-level where incumbents are provided formal training and/or certification for progression to the journey-level of the classification. The incumbent is promoted/progressed to the journey level II upon successful completion of all training and/or certification requirements for the classification. Incumbents hired at the entry-level are required to successfully progress to the journey-level within 18 to 60 months, depending on the length of the training and/or certification program. If an employee is unsuccessful with progressing to the journey-level they will return to last class held or separate from SMUD.
- Applies legal, management and board policy, goals and decisions in the strategic positioning of SMUD and its products and services; prioritizes and recommends appropriate communication strategies for revenue critical products and issues that significantly impact regulators' and customers' perceptions.
- Researches, writes, and prepares publications that inform employees of SMUD related activities, including intranet and/or internet site, brochures, newsletters, executive memos, executive speaking points, SMUD-wide e-mail, and video scripts.
- Oversees content, design and navigation of SMUD's intranet and/or internet sites; creates strategies and content for specialized employee initiatives.
- Gains the desired response from employees by successfully creating, developing, implementing and evaluating communication and marketing strategies/plans.
- Provides timely and accurate analysis of sensitive and complex communication issues to executive management and board members.
- Manages multiple projects, prioritizing appropriately and meeting the demands of both highly sensitive and routine projects.
- Performs related duties as required.
- High School diploma or equivalent
At least three (3+) years of experience working with intranet and other communication technologies including streaming video; developing integrated communication strategies; identifying and analyzing potential issues, barriers, and special considerations; assessing resource impacts of communication plans; communicating to numerous and diverse audiences; communicating complex, technical information in ways that is easily understood by all audiences; writing and editing an array of materials including intranet articles, video scripts, executive memos, brochures, executive speeches, news releases, newsletters, and miscellaneous publications.
Strategic message development, execution, and communication applications; project management principles and practices; methods and techniques of web site development, implementation, and navigation; emerging web technologies and public communication techniques; techniques for preparing, producing and distributing multimedia components to the web; integrated business communication strategies and tactics; communication production practices and principles, including print, broadcast, multimedia and other specialized mediums; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Effectively research, write, edit and prepare information for numerous communication products including intranet, video, publications, communication plans and strategies; write and edit an array of materials including intranet articles, video scripts, executive memos, brochures, executive speeches, news releases, newsletters, and miscellaneous publications; organize information in a comprehensive and understandable package; conduct oral presentations; explain complex issues to SMUD employees; develop and implement communication strategies for new and existing programs, services, events and activities; understand and apply the policy decisions of management, the Board and outside regulatory agencies as it impacts SMUD communications; operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; communicate effectively both orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work internally/externally.
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing or a related field.
- A strategic thinker with the ability to create comprehensive communication plans.
- A strong writer who can write clear and compelling stories.
- Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple ongoing projects and meet tight deadlines.
- Experience breaking down complex topics into simple, easy to understand messages and on occasion, express the messages through visuals.
- Demonstrated ability to create processes, procedures and tracking strategies to document and streamline internal workflows.
- Experience working with news media, social media, videographers, photographers and graphic designers.
- Instincts to effectively communicate on confidential and sensitive topics.
- Experience working within established brand and Associated Press Stylebook standards.
- Experience working with the news media and representing the company in a positive light.
Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are
As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.
An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.
SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.
Why Sacramento, California?
The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.
Hybrid Work
This position may be eligible for SMUD's remote work employee benefit, the schedule of which will be determined by the successful candidate and the Hiring Manager. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues. Our approach to remote work will continue to evolve. Please be aware that should SMUD’s business needs change, emergencies occur, or various other reasons arise, you may be required to report onsite on a part-time or full-time basis.
