LEVEE READY COLUMBIA PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Position title: Levee Ready Columbia Public Affairs and Communications Manager Closing Date/Time: Open until filled; First review, April 27, 2018 at 4:00 pm (PST) Required Experience: 5+ years of related experience Job Type: Exempt, Full Time; Limited Duration through June 30th, 2019. May be extended or made permanent pending District Board decision Annual Salary: $64,297 - $102,875 (DOE) OUR ORGANIZATION:
As an organization, Levee Ready Columbia is a multi-stakeholder partnership that consists of more than 25 project partners including the cities of Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, and Fairview; the Port of Portland; Multnomah County; Metro; the State of Oregon; and the drainage districts. Levee Ready Columbia includes representatives from neighborhoods, government agencies, environmental groups, and businesses. By including all the stakeholders in the process, Levee Ready Columbia is better able to meet the diverse needs of our community. Currently, the position is housed at Multnomah County Drainage District (MCDD). The position will be an MCDD employee and their portfolio will include work at the district level as well as Levee Ready Columbia. MCDD manages the internal stormwater system and the levees along the Columbia River in Multnomah County to protect people and property from flooding. MCDD serves three other drainage districts along the south shore of the Columbia River (Peninsula Drainage District #1, Peninsula Drainage District #2 and the Sandy Drainage Improvement Company). OUR PROJECT:
For the last five years, Levee Ready Columbia has been moving forward to address the challenges faced by 27-mile Columbia Corridor levee system along much of the south shore of the Columbia River in Multnomah County. This effort has brought together public agencies, business groups, neighborhood associations, and non-profit organizations to develop a project team that is focused on ensuring the region’s levee system performs under flood conditions and meets federal standards. The region’s levee system protects over $6 billion of property value, $16 billion in annual economic activity, over 7,500 residents, more than 40,000 jobs, the Portland International Airport, and so much more. The work of this program began in 2013 when it became evident that public safety and economic prosperity within this managed levee system was at risk. In the wake of Levee Ready Columbia / 1880 NE Elrod Drive, Portland, Oregon 97211
Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began more strictly enforcing the regulation of levees. Above all, failure to properly invest in flood management puts the districts’ citizens in harm’s way. Additionally, if the system fails to meet US Army Corps of Engineer (USACE) standards, the communities lose federal assistance during and after high water events. Finally, failure to meet FEMA accreditation standards means that areas behind the levee will be re-mapped as floodplains. Property owners will face flood insurance mandates and floodplain development regulations will be applied, which effects the area’s economy. Levee Ready Columbia has been working with Oregon Solutions to develop a strategy and work plan to ensure the levee system meets both FEMA and USACE standards. The project is an exciting moment as we move from the discovery phase of the project to the project planning and implementation phase. Join us in delivering reliable floodplain management for the Portland metropolitan region.
POSITION SUMMARY: The position is responsible for a diverse portfolio of communications projects and actions. Levee Ready Columbia is a complex, multifaceted organization with communications needs on many levels and topics. The Public Affairs and Communications Manager will be responsible for leading efforts to focus and guide external communications with stakeholders and the public. In their role, they will ensure consistent messaging, timely dissemination of information, and proactive engagement with decision-makers and agency staff at a variety of levels. The primary responsibilities of the Public Affairs and Communications Manager will be to lead a host of outreach activities to promote communications program goals and ensure continued collaboration and partnership with stakeholders. This multi-layered communications effort will reach target audiences using a variety of in-person, online, phone, and printed communication tools. The ideal candidate for this position will be nimble and self-directing. The Public Affairs and Communications Manager reports to the Levee Ready Columbia Program Manager. RESPONSIBILITIES: - Implementation of the 2018 Levee Ready Columbia Public Communications Workplan including: o Managing staff and contractors to successfully implement the planned communication and outreach activities - The development and updating the Levee Ready Columbia Communications Workplan to appropriately solicit community participation and to share information Levee Ready Columbia / 1880 NE Elrod Drive, Portland, Oregon 97211
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Daily interaction or coordination with stakeholders, partner agencies, and community members. This includes the frequent public presentations to a variety of audiences and the ability to tailor presentations appropriately to audiences o Develop formal and informal presentations to the general public, develop communication material, and provide updates to any other interested parties. o Coordinate with partner agencies including; Cities, Multnomah County, Metro, Port of Portland, State Agencies, USACE, and FEMA Work with the Levee Ready Columbia Communication Subcommittee to develop information, messages, and mature the Program’s effectiveness Project management skills with the ability to develop scopes, budgets, and timelines. o Work collaboratively to develop objectives, project plans and budgets to ensure timely and cost-effective completion of projects o Assist in the development and management of project timelines and budgets and effectively communicate them to relevant audiences Prepare written briefings, presentations, and website content using accessible language to describe technical subject matter o Responsible for communication material in multimedia including presentations, memos, social media, newsletters, and other outlets Participation and leadership in the program’s effort to modernize levee governance and funding Provide customer centric support to the levee improvement project internally for the districts and externally to the Oregon Solutions project Manage and implement public meetings, board communications, and lead the Levee Ready Columbia team in all aspects of community outreach Support the Oregon Solutions process by providing up to date project information to relevant staff, guiding meeting content, and coordinating subcommittee products Assist the Levee Ready Columbia Program in tracking local, state and federal efforts related to levees and other relevant topics, including environmental protection, flood insurance, and certification efforts and developing effective means to disseminate this information.
The successful candidate: - Will thrive in a position that will frequently present competing timelines and require self-direction on numerous tasks, Levee Ready Columbia / 1880 NE Elrod Drive, Portland, Oregon 97211
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Has a proven ability to be agile in responding to changing priorities and goals, Can digest and effectively communicate technical information, Is comfortable communicating with senior staff and elected officials at public and private organizations, Understands Oregon’s local political climate, Collaboratives and works well in a team environment, and Has working knowledge or familiarity of the NEPA process.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. Representation: This position is not represented.
Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans’ preference when applying for MCDD positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans’ preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made or any other status protected by law. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.
Read more about MCDD on our website: www.mcdd.org and Levee Ready Columbia at www.leveereadycolumbia.org SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS: Please answer the following questions: 1. Describe your knowledge and experience in public information, public relations, and community outreach programs. In your response, provide detail about how you have helped a community or a public body through process or project and describe your role. 300 words maximum 2. Describe your ability and experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with elected officials, representatives from multiple agencies, business and community leaders, media, and the public. 300 words maximum. HOW TO APPLY: To apply for this position, please send, in PDF form, a cover letter addressing the Responsibilities listed in the Job Description, a resume, and responses the Supplemental Questions to
[email protected] with subject heading LRC Levee Ready Columbia / 1880 NE Elrod Drive, Portland, Oregon 97211
COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER. Please do not include your social security number or other sensitive information in your application package. Applications will also be accepted via first class mail or by hand delivery to: 1880 NE Elrod Dr., Portland, OR 97211. To be considered, all applications must reach MCDD by the date listed above. Top candidates will be selected for an interview with the hiring committee
Levee Ready Columbia / 1880 NE Elrod Drive, Portland, Oregon 97211
