Senior Digital & Media Relations Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Hazen and Sawyer is seeking a Senior Digital & Media Relations Specialist to join our growing Communications and Public Outreach practice. This position is for someone who thrives at the intersection of digital storytelling, press engagement, and in-person community connection. The role supports Hazen’s global brand presence by building and managing social media content and channels; drafting press releases, media pitches, and talking points; cultivating relationships with reporters and local media outlets. 

Strong transferable experience in public-facing, issue-driven communications is essential for this role. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with strong news judgement and social media instincts. They will be well-versed in client and public engagement, knowing how to build trust quickly with team members, the community, and other stakeholders. This individual will be comfortable with face-to-face outside engagement and capable of handling sensitive public situations with ease.

Experience in the water or environmental sector is preferred, especially prior experience working with or for water utilities or public agencies; previous agency or consulting experience in social media, media relations, or community/public engagement is also valued. 

Work Setting:  Hybrid

Why Hazen and Sawyer: 

• Founded in 1951 by the son of Allen Hazen (developer of the Hazen-Williams equation), we are an employee-owned company with a singular focus on "all things water." 
• Our work includes planning, design, and oversight of construction of environmental infrastructure – for water, wastewater, and stormwater management.
• We foster a work environment low on bureaucracy and high in creativity.
• We recruit talented professionals, provide them with challenging, interesting, and creative assignments, and furnish them with the tools they need to succeed. 
• We currently have over 2,000 employees in 70+ offices throughout the United States, Latin America, Canada, and the UK. 
• A flexible hybrid work schedule supports today's busy professionals.

Key Responsibilities:

Social Media & Digital Engagement

• Build a scalable expansion strategy for Hazen’s current social media presence
• Strategically align, develop, schedule, and manage content calendars across Hazen social media channels 
• Developengaging poststhat translate technical water and environmental work forcurrent and potential clients,mediaandpublic audiences
• Monitor social channels for engagement opportunities, respond to comments and inquiries, and flag emerging issues or sentiment shifts
• Track and report on social media analytics and use insights to refine content strategy
• Stay current on platform trends, algorithm changes, and best practices, and recommend new tools or approaches

Media Relations

• Draft press releases, media advisories, fact sheets, and talking points for firm announcements
• Build andmaintainrelationships with reporters, editors, and trade/local media covering water, infrastructure, and environmental topics
• Pitch story ideas and coordinate interviews, ensuring spokespeople are prepared with clear, audience-appropriate messaging
• Monitor media coverage and prepare coverage summaries and clip reports for clients and leadership
• Support proactive and reactive media strategy, including guidance during sensitive or crisis communications

Community Relations

• Work with event staff and associations to build stronger community engagements particularly around our major offices
• Identifyand analyze stakeholder groups and recommend engagement approaches tailored to diverse audiences
• Prepare compelling content for outreach materialsfor regional offices

Required Qualifications:

• 8-10years of professional experience in social media and media relations, public relations, communications, or community/public engagement
• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field
• Demonstratedsuccessmanaging social media channels and creating content for a brand, agency, or client
• Experience drafting press materials and working directly with media contacts
• Strong writing, editing, and message development skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information for general audiences
• Skilledatbuilding relationships with clients, public agencies, reporters, and diverse stakeholder groups
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working for a water or wastewater agency, or in a consulting agency working with water and wastewater agencies
• Experience working in a consulting agency or multi-client environment
• Established relationships with local, trade, or industry media covering infrastructure, environmental, or public health topics
• Familiarity with risk or crisis communications principles
• Experience planning or supporting public meetings and community engagement activities (in person and virtual)
• Experience collaborating with designers, videographers, or web developers to produce outreach and campaign materials

Hazen and Sawyer is an employee-owned environmental engineering and consulting firm focused exclusively on water, wastewater, water reuse, and water resources. For more than 75 years, we have partnered with public agencies and utilities to help communities protect public health, safeguard the environment, and plan for a resilient water future.

Strategic communication is critical to the success of today's water projects. Our Communications and Public Outreach practice works side by side with technical experts and communication professionals to develop strategies for our clients to effectively engage stakeholders through tailored approaches, manage risk and preserve credibility, and build trust around complex, highly visible infrastructure, environmental, and management issues. This hybrid role sits at the center of that work — connecting with the public through social channels, the press, and in-person engagement — and requires a keen understanding of the complex relationship water agencies have with their customers, elected officials, regulators, advocacy groups, and community members.

Salary Range:  Denver Metro Area is $100,000 - $120,000 (compensation is determined by factors including relevant experience, specialized skillset, and role scope).

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans)
• Pre-tax flexible spending plans for medical, dependent care, and transportation
• Short and long-term disability, and employer paid life insurance
• Paid holidays, floating holidays, and paid time off (PTO)
• Employer-contributed 401(k) plan and additional financial planning support
• Professional growth opportunities, including tuition reimbursement, in-house training, and incentives for professional registration and professional organization memberships
• Starting pay range for this position depends on skills, experience, education and geographical location