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The mission of the organization is to preserve and enhance the viability of irrigated agriculture for our membership in the Klamath Basin, for the benefit of current and future generations.
Director of Public Relations and Marketing
The Opportunity
The Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) is seeking a self-motivated, highly productive individual to provide lead marketing and public affairs to an established organization that serves the interests of member irrigation districts and their constituents with regard to natural resources issues, with emphasis on water resources and power costs. This is a unique opportunity to join an organization that is at the forefront of precedent-setting issues.
Who We Are
KWUA is a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization, formed in 1953, that represents irrigation interests associated with the Klamath Project, a federal reclamation project. KWUA members include rural and suburban irrigation districts and similar entities that divert or deliver water made available through Klamath Project facilities, as well as private individuals who rely on the Project. The area represented by KWUA members straddles the Oregon-California border and is home to over 1,200 family farms and ranches operating on over 170,000 acres of some of the best farmland in the West. The mission of the organization is to preserve and enhance the viability of irrigated agriculture for our membership in the Klamath Basin, for the benefit of current and future generations. KWUA is governed by an 11-member board of directors who are representatives from Klamath Project member districts.
The Klamath Project was authorized in 1905, as one of the earliest federal reclamation projects under the Reclamation Act of 1902. It includes facilities that store and divert water from the Klamath and Lost River systems. KWUA members are parties to permanent contracts with the Bureau of Reclamation that relate to diversion and delivery of water and face uncertainties of supply due to endangered species and other concerns. In addition to providing irrigation, a major aspect of the Project is drainage, including removal of water from a closed basin. Also, Project irrigation involves considerable recycling and re-use of water, resulting in high efficiencies. Power is furnished for use in the Project by PacifiCorp, an investor-owned utility.
Historically, the major emphases of KWUA have been to ensure reliable water supplies and low-cost power for Project uses, and these issues are expected to remain prominent. Ongoing processes in the Klamath Basin are being monitored all over the country. They range from unique legal cases involving water allocation, water quality regulation and the Endangered Species Act, to policy engagement in Washington, Salem, and Sacramento.
The Role of Director of Public Relations
The Director of Public Relations and Marketing (PR Director) reports directly to the Executive Director and is responsible for the development and execution of the marketing and engagement plan to direct KWUA’s community relations. The ideal candidate is poised, well-spoken, a good writer, and has the ability to communicate concisely about complex and policy- laden issues. They enjoy a fast-pace work environment and is ready, willing, and able to do a variety of public relations activities, such as media inquiries, social media strategies, content creation, strategic planning, and building relationships.
It is important that the PR Director articulate and promote KWUA’s vision and objectives through direct and indirect engagement with key media outlets. This role requires someone who is a proven leader, and who is capable of communicating ideas clearly and thoughtfully. In addition, the PR Director should have the ability to identify future trends and needs and be able to collaborate with others to achieve desired publicity outcomes for the organization. The responsibilities of this position will be carried out in a highly visible and sometimes controversial and politically-charged environment.
The Ideal Candidate
This is a high energy and demanding job. It will also be rewarding, worthwhile, and fulfilling for the right candidate. The ideal candidate must have high level communication skills, be collaborative, and an independent worker who works with little direction and produces impactful work.
Ultimately, the ideal candidate must have the high level of expertise needed to successfully facilitate outcomes on short-, medium -, and long-range goals and then implement the vision of the organization. The candidate must be effective in a variety of venues and possess the organizational and technical proficiency needed to develop and maintain the relations and understanding between KWUA and the public.
Qualifying Experience and Education
- Work with the Executive Director and staff to develop marketing and engagement plans, implement projects, and achieve set goals and objectives.
- Manages local marketing, advertising, public relations, and tasks related to the implementation of community marketing and engagement.
- Plans and implement effective communication strategies for multiple audiences, including local, regional, and national.
- Establishes and maintain relationships with key
- media, stakeholders, and policy personnel.
- Evaluate opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships, and advertising on an ongoing basis.
- Ability to write press releases, op-eds, newsletters, and magazine content.
- Skilled in effective use of all social media platforms, analytics, and design.
- Maintain website and create and post content.
- Responsive to media as the main point of media
- contact for KWUA.
- Assist in organizing and managing community events.
- Compile engagement-related performance measures, outcomes, and relevant media stories.
- Strategic thinker; capable of identifying and curating public relations/marketing projects to benefit KWUA and its members.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
This position requires a Bachelor’s Degree and at least 2+ years’ experience in public relations or marketing. With preference given to a Master’s Degree with 2+ years’ public relations or marketing experience.
Weekend and evening work is required for special events and in response to immediate needs; travel occasionally required for conferences and meetings. Must be able to work independently. Onsite work in Klamath Falls is preferred, but we will consider remote working relationships for the right candidate. The position is full-time employment, however, consideration of 3/4 time is optional for the ideal candidate.
Compensation
This is a senior level position and will be compensated as such. The salary range will be commensurate with education, qualifications, and experience. KWUA also offers a competitive employee benefits package that includes an employer-sponsored retirement program and health, vision, and dental insurance coverage for the employee.
KWUA is an equal opportunity employer. All offers of employment are contingent upon a successful background check and drug screening.
To Be Considered
This is a confidential process and will be handled throughout the various stages of the process.
References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. Candidates should apply immediately. This position will be open until filled. However, candidates are encouraged to apply early in the process for optimal consideration. This recruitment may close at any time once a strong pool of candidates is received.
To be considered, candidates must submit a:
- Compelling cover letter;
- Comprehensive resume;
- Salary history;
- and Three examples of work.
Electronic versions of all submittals are encouraged.
Interested candidates may apply via email, mail, or delivery of a cover letter and resume to: Chelsea Shearer, [email protected], or 2312 S. Sixth St., Suite A, Klamath Falls, OR 97601.
The greatest responsibility of this position is to effectively develop and implement short- and long-term marketing strategies to achieve the Association’s goals and objectives.
To download a printable, PDF-version of this career opportunity, click on KWUA Public Relations & Marketing Position pdf.
