Westlands Water District

Fresno, CA

PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPRESENTATIVE

Bargaining Unit: Non-Represented
Salary Code: 19
Fair Labor Standards Act Designation: Exempt
Revision Date: December 10, 2025

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under the direction of the General Manager and reporting to the Deputy General Manager – External Affairs, the Public Affairs Representative plans, organizes, participates, and performs a variety of communications, media, and other external affairs activities, while supporting the District’s goals; and serves as a resource to District management, land owners, and water users regarding communications, media, and external affairs; facilitate the development of cooperative working relationships; assists with development and communication of District activities and policy. This position leads the development of strategic visual and digital communications initiatives, including advanced graphic design, multimedia production, and social media campaigns. The role requires expert-level creative direction and content strategy. This role is designated as non-represented due to exposure to confidential information.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

The information below is meant to serve as examples of the job duties and responsibilities for this classification. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive, but indicative of several types of duties performed.

  1. Leads the development, collection, and execution of high-quality digital, printed, and video materials that visually communicate the District’s mission and priorities. This includes proactively seeking out, capturing and curating compelling photo and video content from District activities, footage production, and designing and publishing dynamic social media content tailored to audience engagement and platform trends.
  2. Develops and manages comprehensive social media strategies, leveraging analytics to optimize engagement and reach.
  3. Creates interactive multimedia content including infographics, motion graphics, and short-form video tailored to diverse platforms.
  4. Assists in writing, editing, and distributing newsletters, factsheets, notices, press releases, columns, letters, reports, and other written materials.
  5. Ensures brand adherence in District materials. Oversees the creation, production, and distribution of branded materials and promotional items, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with strategic messaging.
  6. Coordinates with District management to respond to requests for information from media, public officials, public agencies, and the public; research requested information and suggest recommendations appropriate to resolving inquiries.
  7. Conducts tours of the District and facilities and presentations at trade shows, classrooms, and before community interest groups, professional associations, and the general public.
  8. Learns and comprehends District operations and maintains positive working relationships with staff, farmers, counties, local interest groups, and the public in and around the District.
  9. Facilitates outreach and service programs and serves as a resource to District Management and staff regarding the communication of information concerning District activities, services, and programs.
  10. Provides support with the implementation of communication plans and programs, engaging with agency and contracted staff as appropriate.
  11. Measures and reports on the impact of communications initiatives.
  12. Assists in the oversight of interns.
  13. May prepare communications that involve confidential information.
  14. Performs other duties as assigned.

CLASSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

Any combination of equivalent education and experience that has led to the acquisition of the knowledge required by the position. A typical way of acquiring the knowledge would be:

An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design, Video Production, Marketing, Public Relations, Business Administration, or a closely related field, and experience in multimedia communications, public relations, or graphic/video design which required extensive visual, written, and oral communication.

Knowledge of:

  • Effective methods of storytelling, preparation, and presentation of facts and information for the public and media, including design and formatting of materials for publication.
  • Principles and practices of media, public, and community relations.
  • Issues affecting agriculture, water, and governmental affairs.
  • Desktop publishing and work processing software including artificial intelligence tools.
  • Adobe Creative Suite including Premier Pro, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
  • Websites, various social media platforms, analytics, and software, and current social media messaging/trends.
  • Digital accessibility standards and user experience design.

Skills/Abilities to:

  • Create high-quality visuals.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in written, with broad spectrum of employees and outside contacts in the media, communities, Federal and State agencies, and other public water agencies.
  • Demonstrate excellent organizational and planning skills.
  • Develop and maintain business relationships with internal and external personnel.
  • Maintain confidentiality and exercise independent judgment and discretion in complex, sensitive situations.
  • Adjust to a fluctuating workload and conditions and work well under pressure.
  • Meet continuous deadlines with high degree of accuracy.
  • Rapidly adapt communications in response to emerging issues or crises.
  • Establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships and all organizational levels as well as the public.
  • Work independently and as part of a team.
  • Operate a District vehicle while observing legal and defensive driving practices.

WORKING CONDITIONS

  • Moderate lifting of supplies and materials up to 30 pounds.
  • Work hours other than normal work schedule.
  • Moderate travel.

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS

  • Possess a valid California Class C Driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to the District’s automobile insurance provider.