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The San Mateo County Libraries seeks an experienced, reliable, and motivated Communications Specialist to join our Library Communications Team.

The successful candidate is an enthusiastic team player who is able to handle multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. Reporting to the Communications Manager the Communication Specialist will plan, organize, and coordinate public and internal communications activities for San Mateo County Libraries. The Communication Specialist is expected to be a strategic thinker who develops and executes integrated communications, media and marketing plans for the library system- leveraging multi-communication channels (traditional and online), promotional materials such as, but not limited to, library signage/collateral, web content, press releases and fact sheets- with the goal of advancing outreach and library engagement to community stakeholders and library users.

Under the supervision of the Communications Manager, the Communications Specialist will provide support to the libraries by ensuring the system’s branding strategy and guidelines are adhered to across all libraries and divisions, and may occasionally serve as a media relations contact/spokesperson for the libraries. The individual selected for this position should possess excellent organizational skills, work well under pressure and be capable of performing under fast deadlines to support key messaging, design and branding needs.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Create, develop, distribute and maintain library print and digital assets (e.g., brochures, reports, website, social media, and website) via multiple channels.
• Support the management of all digital and print marketing channels (e.g. digital asset management system, website, blogs, newsletters, social media, flyer creation) to ensure brand consistency.
• Provide copywriting and editing support to the libraries’ print and digital platforms.  
• Develop and implement communication/marketing strategies that include design work, patron messaging, and social media content creation. Adhere to the company’s style guide, ensuring that libraries produce high-quality designed collateral and error-free copy. 
• Under the direction of the Communications Manager, research, design and draft press releases, media pitches and responses, content for library system initiatives, infographics, blogs, library signage, newsletters and internal messaging. 
• Support media relations by serving as a media contact, as needed. Research and draft talking points, occasionally answer reporter inquiries, create content for executive speeches, op-eds, etc.
• Arrange, coordinate and support library events and programs in a virtual and in-person setting. 
• Support and evaluate results of communication campaigns with the team.
   

Education and Experience:  Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in mass media communication, marketing, public relations, journalism, business or public administration or a closely related field; AND four years of professional experience with responsibility for public relations, media relations, communications, marketing or a closely related field and directly involved in the preparation and dissemination of information to the general public and press.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Plan, organize, and coordinate comprehensive communications programs to meet library needs, values and priorities. 
• Strategically develop programs and tools to increase and maintain public awareness of library programs, services and achievements. 
• Principles and practices of effective public communication, media relations and marketing.
• Techniques of effective interviewing, copy writing, layout, editing, and multimedia productions.
• Principles and practices of government and public libraries.
• Information dissemination techniques and methods.
• Strategically develop programs and tools to increase and maintain public awareness of department programs, services and achievements.
• Write and edit effective press releases, articles, speeches, scripts and other correspondence.
• Produce accurate information and meet deadlines.
• Maintain cooperative working relationships with other program managers and staff, other agencies and the community.
• Enlist and mobilize community support for programs.
• Prepare complex and detailed written reports, program policies, procedures and contracts.
• Principles of effective written communication.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Strong analytic and research skills.
• Creativity, curiosity, and a sense of humor.

~ TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE ~ 
Final Filing Date: June 30, 2021
Application Screening: July 12 - 13, 2021
Panel Interviews: July 26 and/or 27, 2021

A completed application packet will include the following: 

1. Completed application 
2. Cover letter expressing the following: 
   1. Your interest in the position; 
   2. Why you desire to work for San Mateo County Libraries; and 
   3. Why you believe your skills and experience meet our qualifications. 
3. Resume 
4. Responses to the supplemental questionnaire 

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third-party job board application system. To apply, applicants must complete an application via the City of San Jose’s website at www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers.

The department is seeking to fill two (2) full-time Power Resources Specialist I/II positions. The positions will support the Risk Management, Contracts and Administrative Services Division (1 position) and Account Management and Marketing Division (1 position).

The ideal candidates are skilled and highly motivated individuals, with creative problem-solving skills. Both positions will be part of a fast-paced team, often working on multiple high-priority projects and short deadlines. Good judgment, initiative, and cooperation with other staff and outside stakeholders will be an asset to this position.

Power Resources Specialist I/II – Risk Management, Contracts and Administrative Services Division 

This position will report to the Division Manager and support risk management and power contract oversight.  Under general supervision this position will support a variety of risk management functions in support of the department’s energy portfolio. The Risk Management, Contracts and Administrative Services Division is responsible for providing independent oversight of the risks assumed in the course of transacting for energy products and services as well as ensuring compliance with adopted risk management policies and procedures.  This unit also provides strategic support to facilitate the development and execution of various non-energy contracts, tracks signed energy contracts, and manages the invoicing process.

Duties include the following but are not limited to:

• Verifying that power supply agreements are authorized and executed appropriately and resolving contracting issues; 
• Developing mark-to-market analysis for SJCE power supply portfolio totaling over $1 Billion dollars; and recommending actions to reduce risk and power supply costs.
• Overseeing power supply settlement functions, including verifying power supply deliveries, contract performance, and approval of power supply invoices, totaling approximately $30 million per month;
• Reviewing invoices for accuracy, resolving issues with power suppliers, and providing quality assurance for complex energy-specific contracts;
• Providing analytical support for power supply audits and analysis of power purchases and sale agreements;
• Provide risk management analysis for medium- and long-term contracts;
• Utilize energy trading risk management database to prepare a variety of reports for the power contracts portfolio, utilize data visualization
• Approve energy purchases subject to the risk management policies;
• Provide analysis on emerging technological and procurement options for supply (e.g. distributed energy resources, renewable or storage technologies.)
• Conduct studies and develop analytical models related to energy risk management and forecasting;
• Perform other related duties as required.

Power Resources Specialist I/II - Account Management and Marketing Division

This position will report to the Deputy Director overseeing the Account Management and Marketing. This division is responsible for customer care, billing, marketing and customer outreach, and community programs for San José Clean Energy. This position will support a number of analytical functions related to customer rates and electricity usage.  The ideal candidates should be well versed in PG&E rate structures including residential and commercial rate schedules and have strong analytical skills.

Duties include the following but are not limited to:

• Analyze customer electricity usage and impact of rate changes;
• Analyze revenue collection compared with plan;
• Support division with analysis of financial and greenhouse gas emission impacts of decisions on new product offerings.
• Respond to customer inquiries and interface with and support call center and billing operations contractor;
• Support cost-benefit analysis of potential new Department programs;
• Assist in launch of SJCE’s DAC-GT and energy efficiency programs, in accordance with SJCE’s Programs Roadmap, while incorporating stakeholder input, industry best practices, and market trends to ensure program success;
• Help develop indicators to measure program effectiveness, analyze program outcomes to modify implementation activities, and develop and implement verification protocols to support cost and environmental effectiveness claims;
• Assist with program compliance requirements and reporting;
• Provide financial analysis on impact of alternative contract structures with customers
• Provide quantitative analysis support for City Council and Community Advisory Commission presentations.
• Help develop tools and processes to analyze the potential impact of alternative rate structures (e.g. new time of use variants, low income discounts, etc.)
• Help articulate and implement a strategy for more fully incorporating Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), including Demand Response programs, into SJCE’s business activities.
• Assist in preparation of bids and specifications, and monitoring the timely fulfillment of deliverables by consultants and service providers; Perform other related duties as required.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment

Salary Information:

The current salary range for Power Resources Specialist I is: $82,867.20 - $100,963.20

The current salary range for Power Resources Specialist II is: $90,168.00 - $109,844.80

The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidate’s qualifications and experience. In addition to the starting salary, employees in the Power Resources Specialist I/II classification shall also receive an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation pay.

Competencies:

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures, policies, and federal and state rules and regulations.

Communication Skills – Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills – Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Analytical Thinking – Approaches a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

Fiscal Management – Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements.

Problem Solving – Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

Are you a motivated, energetic, and creative individual interested in working for an organization making a difference for the people in your community? Are you interested in joining an agency developing cutting edge affordable housing policies and programs? The award-winning Santa Clara County Housing Authority (SCCHA) is seeking talented individuals to join us in making a difference with the people in our community. As one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the Bay Area, and a designated Moving To Work (MTW) agency, SCCHA is an independent local government agency that administers the federal Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program for approximately 19,000 households and manages more than 2,600 units of affordable housing in Santa Clara County.

SCCHA was designated a MTW agency in 2008, a distinction granted to less than 1% of the nation’s housing authorities. Since then, we have been creating innovative ways to increase housing options and self-sufficiency for Santa Clara County’s low-income residents while streamlining the administration of our housing programs.

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