DEFINITION

 

This position is open until filled, with the first review of candidates scheduled for May 18, 2026, or until a sufficient number of qualified candidates have been received, whichever occurs sooner. Therefore, we encourage you to apply early.

Under the strategic leadership of the General Manager, the Public Information Officer (PIO) plans, designs, and executes a comprehensive, modern communications and community engagement program. This role leads District-wide public information, digital communications, brand strategy, and government/media relations efforts. The PIO ensures consistent, transparent, and timely communication across traditional media, digital platforms, and emerging channels, strengthening public trust and awareness of District services and initiatives.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This single-level, strategic leadership classification oversees an enterprise-wide communications function that includes strategic messaging, digital content strategy, media relations, public engagement, brand reputation management, and crisis communications. The PIO provides leadership on communication strategy, data-driven outreach approaches, and alignment of messaging across internal teams, external stakeholders, and the communities served by the District.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives policy direction from the General Manager. Exercises broad management authority over communications, public engagement, and communication and support staff. Oversees professional, technical, and creative personnel engaged in public information, digital strategy, multimedia production, community relations, and strategic communications.

 

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

 

The duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this class and are not intended to be an inclusive list. 

• Develops and leads a modern, integrated communications strategy grounded in best practices, analytics, and community engagement principles. Establishes performance metrics and uses data insights to continuously refine communication tactics and improve audience reach and understanding.

• Ensures District communications reflect organizational values, transparency, and a customer-centric approach. Develops comprehensive and strategic communications plans designed to effectively convey District interests.
• Serves as the District’s primary spokesperson for routine, urgent, and high-impact communications.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with local, regional, and statewide media outlets, including digital-first and nonprofit journalism platforms.
• Oversees the District’s digital communication ecosystem, including website content strategy, social media presence, email communications, livestreaming, virtual engagement tools, multimedia content creation, and audience analytics.
• Ensures messaging is adapted appropriately across channels such as social media platforms, short-form video, podcasts, community alerts systems, and other emerging tools.
• Develops proactive media strategies, rapid response plans, and messaging frameworks for emerging issues and crises. Leads digital crisis communication efforts to deliver timely, accurate, and accessible information through all platforms.
• Designs and manages community outreach initiatives that reflect contemporary engagement standards, including accessible content, multilingual resources, and inclusive communication practices.
• Implements public education campaigns to increase awareness of District services, environmental stewardship, conservation, infrastructure investment, and emergency preparedness. Represents the District at community events, forums, advisory committees, and public workshops.
• Advises the General Manager, General Counsel, Board of Directors, and Executive Team on communication strategy, public perception, and stakeholder impact. Provides communication coaching, spokesperson preparation, and media training for District leadership and subject-matter experts.
• Coordinates interdepartmental communication needs to support capital projects, operational initiatives, customer notifications, and emergency response.
• Directs production of strategic communication materials including news releases, briefings, talking points, newsletters, marketing content, video scripts, presentation materials, and digital campaigns.
• Ensures brand consistency, accessibility compliance, and message discipline across all outgoing communications.
• Monitors legislative activity and policy issues affecting the District, preparing communication materials that support government affairs and advocacy efforts. Builds relationships with partner agencies, local governments, community organizations, nonprofits, and regional associations.
• Prepares and oversees the communications budget, identifying emerging resource needs for technology, training, and staff capacity.
• Recruits, develops, and evaluates staff; fosters a collaborative, innovative, and outcomes-oriented team environment. Leads facility tours, project site visits, and public engagement experiences, ensuring accurate and compelling communication of District functions.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Modern strategic communications, public affairs, digital engagement, and brand reputation management. Cutting-edge digital tools, including social media management systems, analytics platforms, content management systems, multimedia production tools, and emergency communication technologies. Principles of government transparency, public accessibility, and inclusive communication. Community engagement frameworks, stakeholder outreach methods, and human-centered design approaches to public information. Local, state, and federal laws related to public records, public information, open meetings, emergency management, and public sector communications. Principles of organizational leadership, budget development, change management, and personnel administration. Operational knowledge of utilities or public agencies (preferred). Familiarity with the communities served by El Dorado Irrigation District, private and non-profit organizations and governmental agencies in El Dorado County, and regional and state organizations related to the business functions of El Dorado Irrigation District is preferred.

Skill/Ability to:

Lead a dynamic, modern communications and public engagement function. Develop and implement innovative communication strategies that meet diverse community needs. Analyze data and audience insights to inform proactive strategies and continuous improvement. Serve as an effective spokesperson and communicator in high-visibility, time-sensitive, or emergency situations. Build trust through clear, accurate, and transparent messaging. Mentor, motivate, and develop a high-performing team. Design and deliver communication plans for complex initiatives and infrastructure projects. Communicate effectively across digital, written, and in-person formats. Establish strong working relationships with staff, community partners, government agencies, and media. Meet demands of emergency operations, extended hours, and rapid-turnaround communications during crises. 

Physical Tasks:

Perform physical and logistical duties associated with community events and facility tours, including navigating rugged or uneven terrain, as required. On a continuous basis, sit at desk and in meetings for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone; write or use keyboard to communicate through written means; lift or carry weight of 30 pounds or less. Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance, subject to medical and disability leave laws. 

Experience and Education:

Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Five years of increasingly responsible experience in strategic communications, public affairs, digital media, or public relations, including at least two years in a supervisory or team-lead role.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public administration, public relations, digital media, or a related field.

Substitutions:

A Master’s degree in one of the above fields may substitute for one year of the required supervisory (not management) experience.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

License and Certificate:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver’s license at the time of appointment.   Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Ability to meet emergency response availability requirements.

About El Dorado Irrigation District

El Dorado Irrigation District can trace its history back to the first hand-dug ditches that transported water to prospectors in the mid-1800s, but the District was not formally organized until 1925 under the Irrigation District Act (Water Code §§ 20500 et seq.). We still hold water rights that date from the gold rush days (Pre-1914), and we continue to work on securing and maintaining reliable water supplies. Through negotiations with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and an Act of Congress, the District acquired Jenkinson Lake at Sly Park Recreation Area in late 2003. We have water service contracts with the Bureau and a water right for diversion from Folsom Lake that was awarded by the California State Water Resources Control Board. Our customers’ needs are as broad-ranging as the area’s stunning natural diversity. We provide drinking water, wastewater treatment, and recycled water for homes, schools, churches, vineyards, orchards, parks, and businesses. We own and operate a 21-megawatt hydroelectric power project that includes dams, four reservoirs, and 23 miles of flumes, canals, siphons, and tunnels. And we manage several outdoor recreation sites, including the Sly Park Recreat...ion Area and a campground at Silver Lake. Today, the District’s facilities and delivery infrastructure serves our 40,000 water accounts and includes more than 1,200 miles of pipeline, 27 miles of ditches, 5 treatment plants, 36 storage reservoirs, and 38 pumping stations. The wastewater system, with nearly 20,000 accounts, operates 61 lift stations, 390 miles of pipeline and 4 treatment facilities. El Dorado Hills and Deer Creek wastewater plants produce an average of 2,500 acre-feet of recycled water for use in front and backyard irrigation at 4,900 homes, commercial entities, and public spaces. With just over 200 employees, we are one of the largest employers in El Dorado County. We serve a population of over 115,000 that has been steadily growing for many years.

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