Communications Manager

Communications Manager Chelan County PUD

• Wenatchee, WA Posted:

  5/18/2026

•

Expires:

6/30/2026

Job ID:

293425101 Job Description

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Applicants are required to submit a combined cover letter and resume in one PDF document. In your cover letter, please share how your education and experience have prepared you to lead a full-service communications team supporting Chelan PUD's 50-year vision and community-focused mission. Include examples of your experience with internal and external communications, branding, customer outreach, community engagement, and creative services.

Incomplete materials will not be considered. To expedite the application process, combine your cover letter and resume into one PDF document before applying and upload electronically when requested in the online application process. This position is

OPEN UNTIL

FILLED and applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The first review date for application materials is scheduled for June 8. 

IMPORTANT NOTE

Chelan PUD does not sponsor work visas such as H-1B, E-3, F-1, OPT, student visas, TN, or any other visas. Candidates and employees must be eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship. Interested parties are also invited to contact Human Resources at joblist@chelanpud.org to discuss the position.

SALARY RANGE

The advertised hiring range for Manger

• Communications is $147,840
• $184,800, with a maximum opportunity of up to $221,760 with tenure and strong performance.

Introductory Period:

New employees holding regular positions must complete an introductory period of twelve months.

BENEFITS EPOA

In addition to competitive wages Chelan PUD employees also enjoy outstanding benefits which include zero cost employer funded medical, dental, and vision healthcare benefits, access to the employee assistance program, and a VEBA health reimbursement account. Washington state retirement PERS participation and optional 457 plan participation with an employer matching 401(a) plan. Leave, life & disability benefits including paid leave starting at 21 days per calendar year up to 35 with tenure, 12 paid holidays per calendar year, paid jury duty, short-term disability & long-term disability, and basic life, AD&D, and optional voluntary life. The work life benefits include optional flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care, educational assistance, various rewards and recognition programs and position specific stipends. For more explanation of the district benefits please visit our benefits website www.mychelanpudbenefits.org.

JOB POSTING

Manager

• Communications Overview Responsible for overseeing, developing and guiding comprehensive internal and external communications to enhance the public image of the District, engage key stakeholders, and effectively communicate the District's mission, vision and goals.

Manages external website and internet content. Serves as public relations counsel for all departments and all levels of District operations, including the General Manager. This person reports to the Director

• Strategic Affairs and collaborates with senior management and the General Manager to direct and implement consistent and strategic communications programs.

Direct management responsibilities include public information and oversight of the public information officer (PIO), digital media, internal communications, translation services, Communication Services (graphics, print, mail), and all media. Timely, effective communications and public relations counsel have been deemed by the Board of Commissioners and executive management to be vital to the District's success in accomplishing its mission.

PLEASE NOTE

This position is onsite at our Wenatchee, WA office, not hybrid or remote. Relocation reimbursement is available. Responsibilities Supervise and mentor staff in creating and overseeing the implementation of comprehensive internal and external communication strategies, communications support, project outreach, and branding and digital media programs, paying particular attention to timing, content, message themes, purpose and intended audience. This requires cross-departmental engagement, goal setting, performance management, work-flow management, and budget oversight. Effective supervision and leadership result in significant contributions to staff situational awareness, customer, and community partner engagement. Respond in a timely and professional manner to requests for public information, public speaking and program development from internal and external customers. Collaborate with HR, IT, Human and Organizational Performance and other departments to support/lead internal communications to ensure cohesive, integrated communications strategies. Manage and support strategic communication and issues management on a local, regional and national basis. Oversee the development and maintenance of media reflecting the District's principles, activities, goals and achievements and offer two-way communication links. Participate in external public energy association communications activities. Support and collaborate with other District employees. Support educational programs at various levels. Provide leadership in issues management and education programs supporting coordinated local, regional and national communications programs, increasing efficiency and overall value to the District in achieving its mission. Research PUD programs and utility industry news items and present concise, informative content and messages for community leaders and PUD employees. Continually evaluate and revise the District's outreach programs in response to changing conditions in the community and in the workplace. Actively pursue communications opportunities to reach out to the community and support the District in achieving its mission. Such efforts have been identified as essential for effective communication. Prepare applications as warranted for various utility organization awards and honors. Manage and guide continuous improvement of the District's internal and external websites and use of social media for information sharing, training, education and overall communication for consistent messaging across all platforms. Serve as a communications adviser for the District and the general manager, looking ahead for opportunities to offer communication assistance at all administrative, management and policy levels. Provide information to board members on emerging issues and PUD news events to help them prepare for media interviews and answer questions from customer-owners. Support commissioners and managers as requested in activities connected to District participation in external public power agencies and committees. Provide guidance and education on communication methods and strategies to staff at all levels. Lead or participate in special projects such as community outreach on critical issues, developing messages and initiatives to reach all employees, the community and other external audiences, and supporting communication activities on key District efforts, project or activities. Manage communications efforts during crises or significant organizational change. Serve as a PIO on the Incident Command System (ICS) team. Manage and mitigate communications risks. Develop and implement crisis communications plans. People Management This position manages/supervises people.

Direct Resources Managed:

10-19.

Indirect Resources Managed:

None. Overtime exemption Exempt Qualifications Education Bachelor's Degree (B.S., B.A.) in Communications, Journalism, English, or a related field from a four-year college or university is required. Equivalent experience (year for year) may substitute for required education. Experience 10+ years experience in communications is required. 2+ years experience in the utility industry strongly preferred. Skills and Abilities A fully skilled incumbent will have the following knowledge skills & abilities: Exceptional ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and persuasively with diverse audiences. Strong understanding of public relations principles, strategic communications, and crisis management. Knowledge of strategies to engage various internal and external stakeholders effectively. Familiarity with the utility industry and the regulatory environment impacting public utilities. Demonstrated technical writing ability. Group facilitation skills, strong writing and editing abilities. Advanced knowledge of various aspects of corporate communications. Including audio visual, all forms of media, commonly used social media tools, layout and printing. Must be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English. Physical Demands Sitting Frequent 34-66% Standing Frequent 34-66% Walking Frequent 34-66% Lifting 1-10 lbs Floor-Waist Occasional 11-33% Lifting 1-10 lbs Waist-Shoulders Occasional 11-33% Lifting 1-10 lbs Above Shoulders Occasional 11-33% Lifting 11-25 lbs Floor-Waist Seldom 0-10% Lifting 11-25 lbs Waist-Shoulders Seldom 0-10% Lifting 25

• 50 lbs Floor-Waist (copier paper) Seldom 0-10% Climb Stairs Occasional 11-33% Twisting at Waist Occasional 11-33% Stooping/Bending Occasional 11-33% Reach Floor to Waist Occasional 11-33% Reach Waist to Shoulder Occasional 11-33% Reach Above Shoulder Occasional 11-33% Wrist/hand/fingers manipulation (keyboarding, mousing, etc.

) Frequent 34-66% Hand Controls (joy stick, controls on equipment, etc.) Occasional 11-33% Repetitive Motions Frequent 34-66% Talking Frequent 34-66% Hearing Regularly 67-100% Visual

• Near Acuity Regularly 67-100% Visual
• Far Acuity Regularly 67-100% Visual
• Depth Perception Regularly 67-100% Visual
• Color Discrimination Regularly 67-100% Working Conditions Exposure to Weather
• Occasionally Proximity to Moving Mechanical Parts
• Occasionally Atmospheric Conditions (dust, fumes, etc.)
• Occasionally Exposure to Electricity
• Occasionally Exposure to Toxic/Caustic Chemicals
• Occasionally

Noise Intensity Level:

• Moderate District Values Trust
• We act with integrity, empathy, competence, and transparency, earning the confidence and respect of each other and the public we serve. Safety
• We protect what matters most through the choices we make. Stewardship
• We responsibly manage and thoughtfully oversee all resources entrusted to us for the benefit of future generations. Collaboration
• We transform our deep expertise from individual advantage into shared power
• partnering across teams to maximize our impact and secure our future. Courage
• We boldly step into the unknown to do what matters, seeking opportunities to grow and lead.

Equal Opportunity/ADA Chelan PUD is an