Please visit www.fortsmithar.gov to apply.  Applications will be accepted through October 23, 2019

SUMMARY:

Under the guidance of the Deputy Director of Business Administration, this position is responsible for the effective and efficient management and administration of the Communications & Training Program for the Utility Department in compliance with requirements of the Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, Arkansas Department of Labor, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Consent Decree.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.  Note: All City of Fort Smith positions require the employee to provide good customer service to both internal and external customers, maintain positive and effective working relationships with other City employees, and have regular and reliable attendance that is non-disruptive.  Must show cooperation and respect to fellow employees and supervisors at all times.

• Develop and manage Program direction, projects, priorities, goals, budgets, and initiatives to provide guidance and oversight to the Communications and Training & Safety Sections; defining objectives and evaluating outcomes
• Effectively manage the Private Service Line Defect Remediation Program and Comprehensive Training Program components and requirements of the Consent Decree
• Manage the development and implementation of employee training/certification programs aligned with the objectives and strategies of the Utility Department
• Provide guidance and oversight with the development of employee and public safety plans, emergency preparedness procedures, and related recordkeeping requirements
• Develop and manage strategies to deliver internal communications objectives and initiatives throughout the Utility Department
• Develop and manage external communications strategies for public relations, customer outreach, public education, and Consent Decree communications
• Attend public events, meetings, and forums as a public relations representative of the Utility Department
• Act as a media point of contact and spokesperson to address questions from the press and general public
• Oversee and coordinate responses to FOIA requests
• Assist with budget preparation, review financial statements, reports, and other performance data to fund operations, measure productivity, maximize investments, and determine corrective action as needed for cost reduction and increased efficiency within the Program
• Determine staffing requirements of assigned Program and oversee hiring, training, and employee development processes of direct and indirect reports
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending conferences, seminars, educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, benchmarking state-of-the-art practices, and participating in professional societies
• Coordinate with other departments or divisions as needed

• Regular attendance and timeliness is required

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Directly supervises one (1) Communications Coordinator and one (1) Training & Safety Supervisor.  Indirectly supervises various other employees within the Program.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the city’s policies and applicable laws.  Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints and resolving problems, both internal and citizen related.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Communications, Occupational Safety or equivalent education, training, and experience in a related field which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work

• Five (5) years’ experience in communications, training, or safety
• Three (3) years supervisory experience
• Three (3) years’ experience in project management
• Must possess a valid driver’s license

Preferred

• Five (5) years of experience in public relations, project management, training, and/or occupational safety
• OSHA 30
• Project Management Professional or Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of employee development/training, workplace safety, and public relations
• Advanced knowledge of project management phases, techniques, and tools
• Thorough understanding of and ability to provide leadership, motivation, supervision, training, and evaluation of the workforce through supervisory staff
• Superior communication skills to include verbal, written, report writing, active listening, persuasiveness, public speaking/presentation, and interpersonal skills with diverse audiences in various settings
• Solid experience with social media and social media trends
• Ability to tactfully handle sensitive matters with discretion
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, Utility management, and other City divisions
• Advanced analytical, critical thinking, and problem solving skills
• Strong organization and time management skills with ability to determine workload priorities to meet deadlines and fulfill requirements of the Consent Decree
• Strong proficiency with Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Adobe Pro, Photo Shop, Publisher and/or other graphic design software

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee must occasionally stand, walk, talk and hear.  Frequently sit, use hands to handle objects, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must also stoop, kneel or crouch.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distant and color vision.

The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NOTICE OF CONSENT DECREE POSTING:

The City of Fort Smith, Arkansas (“City”) has entered into a Consent Decree in litigation with the United States of America and the State of Arkansas (“Consent Decree”).  The Consent Decree was filed on April 6, 2015, in civil action 14-cv-02266-PKH, pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas Fort Smith Division. The Consent Decree is available for review or copying on the City’s website where it may be found at www.FortSmithWater.org.