DWM Watershed Director II - Office of Communications and Community Relations presso City of Atlanta

Posting expires: November 23, 2025

Salary range: $97,519 - $130,189

General Description and Classification Standards:

The Communications Director is responsible for directing the overall management, planning, and execution of comprehensive internal and external communications, marketing, media relations, and public engagement strategies that advance the Department of Watershed Management’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities. This leadership role provides strategic counsel to executive leadership, ensures consistent and effective messaging across all communication platforms, and oversees the Department’s brand and public image. The incumbent develops proactive communication initiatives to increase public awareness, build trust, and strengthen stakeholder relationships within the community, the media, and governmental entities. The Communications Director leads a team of professional staff and consultants, ensuring alignment of communications efforts with departmental goals, operational initiatives, and citywide policies. Work is performed under broad policy direction and requires a high degree of professional judgment, strategic thinking, and political acumen.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.

• Develop a comprehensive communication strategy to engage and inform, increase public understanding, obtain support and maintain positive relationships with a variety of stakeholders, community-based organizations, community members, advisory committees, and government agencies.
• Manage a team of communications staff and consultants responsible for designing and producing communications including events and community engagement and outreach, internal communications and digital media.
• Oversee the content and continuity of the Department’s social media channels and website with consistent and accurate information and messaging that positively reflects the Department.
• Manage the Department’s official responses to requests received under the Georgia Open Records Act.
• Plan and prepare speeches, special papers, testimonies, radio and television scripts and other documents for the Commissioner and other Departmental representatives. Coordinate media training to prepare staff, conduct media tours and arrange speaking engagements for Commissioner and senior staff as appropriate.
• Represent the Department as an official spokesperson to the media and the public; develop, manage and implement proactive and responsive media relations programs; direct external messaging, including responding to press inquiries, producing press releases, statements of articles and coordinating press conferences and media events on a local, state, national and international levels.
• Manage communications with the communities impacted by the Department’s initiatives and projects to understand needs and to improve the communities served.
• Manage the annual budget for sponsorships, merchandise, equipment and materials; and maintain control over and approve expenditures for the Office of Communications and Community Relations.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. COA may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully, it is not an exhaustive list.

• Knowledge of prevailing best practices in communication, marketing, public relations, and emergency communication. 
• Knowledge of municipal government communication preferred. 
• Knowledge of water utility management preferred.
• Knowledge of design principles and technology utilized to deliver compelling information and persuasive messages to diverse audiences.
• Written and verbal communication skills. Manage business acumen. 
• Ability to build consensus among disparate stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects. 
• Ability to maintain composure and meet deadlines in stressful situations.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience - 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Communications, Public Relations, Mass Communications, Journalism or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressive experience with communication and marketing (or equivalent on the job experience). 
• Two or more years supervising staff or overseeing stakeholder relationships.

Licensures and Certifications – Public Relations Certification 

Preferred Requirements –

•  Master’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Communications, Public Relations, Mass Communications, Journalism or a related field. 
• Three or more years of municipal or other government experience focused on community-based communication including media relations.
• Experience with crisis communications, water management, and customer surveys

Lifting Requirements: 

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

It is the policy of the City of Atlanta (“COA”) that qualified individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against because of their disabilities regarding job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the COA to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. The COA is prepared to modify or adjust the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position he or she desires, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Director for your department.

The City of Atlanta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, ender identity, marital status, veteran’s status or national origin, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.  We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.