Category: Careers

Associate/Director, New York State

In Careers, News

The Organization

Kearns & West is a leader in the collaborative communications field, providing services in public involvement, stakeholder facilitation, community outreach, and mediation, for the public and private sector. Founded in 1984, the small, woman-owned business has offices in Washington DC, Charleston SC, Austin TX, Denver CO, Portland OR, Riverside CA, San Diego CA, Sacramento CA, San Francisco CA, and Los Angeles CA.

Focusing on positive, mutually beneficial results has allowed Kearns & West to maintain long-term relationships with the people and organizations they assist. The firm’s high-stakes projects include work at local, state, and national levels and cover a variety of sectors including energy, resiliency, water, natural resources, marine resources, land use and community planning, transportation, and major public facilities and infrastructure. At the core of all of our projects is finding solutions to advance essential policies and programs.

Kearns & West is the ideal match for professionals seeking meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and colleagues that are smart, capable, and supportive. Once on board, our employees stay for the long term. The entrepreneurial culture at Kearns & West values employee initiatives in practice innovation and business development. Compensation and benefits at Kearns & West are also highly competitive with firms in our field.

The Position

Kearns & West seeks an Associate/Senior Associate or Director based in New York State. This position is remote, with options for office space in New York when the public health landscape allows. The candidate will support a range of stakeholder engagement, communications, problem solving, dispute resolution, and public engagement and outreach projects across the firm. The position provides an opportunity to work on projects throughout the East Coast, as well as the possibility of involvement in state-wide and national projects.

The position involves a wide range of responsibilities and roles including:

  • Supporting and leading facilitation and stakeholder engagement
  • Communications, outreach, and digital engagement
  • Public involvement screening and moderation
  • Leading or supporting coordination of meeting logistics
  • Tracking project activities and deadlines
  • Documenting stakeholder engagement and community meetings, including note taking, report preparation, and database management
  • Preparation of informational materials for stakeholders and the public
  • Project research
  • Administrative duties
  • Business development and development of project proposals including budgets
  • Project management, contract administration, and invoice preparation
  • Proofreading reports and other documents
  • And more…

Qualifications

Successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree. This position will primarily support energy and resiliency projects, a background/interest in New York, Northeast, and Midwestern renewable energy and resiliency stakeholders is valued. Background/ interest in community/regional planning, natural resource management, transmission, environmental/public policy issues, air quality, public involvement, conflict resolution, transportation, peacebuilding and mediation also valued.

We are looking for someone who is:

  • Organized and prepared to contribute to our full team
  • Adaptable and flexible
  • Self-motivated and comfortable working independently
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment
  • An effective and reliable communicator
  • Interested in learning facilitation skills and growing to facilitate complex public policy issues
  • Comfortable with taking direction yet able to take the initiative as needed
  • Able to reliably set priorities, manage multiple tasks, and meet project deadlines
  • Able to work and balance multiple projects for multiple clients
  • Successful at balancing working as part of a team with working independently

Applicant must demonstrate strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office and database management, and proficiency or interest in webinar, website, and data analysis technologies. Graphic design and Adobe Creative Suite skills are desirable, but not required.

Compensation

Compensation will depend on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

How to Apply

Please apply immediately by submitting cover letter and resume to personnel@kearnswest.com with the subject “New York Associate-Director Opening.” Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.

Additionally, we are always interested in hearing from potential colleagues at the senior level who would be interested in joining our Kearns & West affiliates team on a contract basis. If you are interested, we encourage you to submit your qualifications and resume to personnel@kearnswest.com with the subject “DC Affiliate Interest.”

Project Coordinator, Washington, DC

In Careers, News

The Organization

Kearns & West’s Washington, DC Office has an opening for a Project Coordinator. Kearns & West is a national collaborative problem solving, dispute resolution, and strategic communications firm with offices in Washington, DC, Sacramento/Davis, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, CA, and Portland, OR. We provide a spectrum of services including project management; outreach and engagement; process and meeting design, conflict resolution including mediation; collaborative decision making; and strategic planning. We work extensively – but not exclusively – on public policy decision-making, conflict resolution, and citizen engagement across a broad spectrum of issues. Our collaborative programs are designed to identify and organize a range of issues, opinions, goals, and interests into clear, productive processes that lead to successful conclusions for diverse parties and key stakeholders.

Kearns & West’s mission: Organizations impacting society operate within a complex framework of needs, policies, interests, and markets. Kearns & West navigates this framework to help clients collaborate, communicate vision, and create productive connections with their stakeholders, employees and customers.

For more information please visit: https://kearnswest.com/

The Position

This is an entry-level position that provides project management support to an IDIQ contract with the Department of Interior along with supporting our broader Collaborative Solutions practice. The position involves coordinating, tracking, and maintaining project management systems in support of multiple projects and project teams conducting work across the collaborative problem solving, strategic planning, dispute resolution, public outreach and engagement, and communications processes with private sector and federal government clients.

Key responsibilities for this position include the following:

  • Maintaining project tracking systems with updated information garnered from project sources
  • Leading administrative and logistical tasks for the contract management team
  • Ensuring accuracy of contract information across several databases and trackers
  • Coordinating and communicating project information across several teams and entities
  • Processing contract changes and project invoices
  • Maintaining client and practitioner relationships
  • Scheduling and facilitating client and project calls
  • Undertaking new business development proposal processes
  • Supporting project teams to track scope, budget and schedule of several projects
  • Note-taking for key meetings
  • Synthesizing project performance data for reporting and improvement purposes
  • Contributing to monitoring and evaluating of projects
  • Supporting public involvement planning and execution
  • Proofreading reports and other documents
  • Virtual and in-person meeting logistical and technical support

Qualifications

We are looking for someone who is:

  • Highly organized and analytical
  • Adaptable and flexible
  • Ethical, collegial, and committed to seeking positive outcomes for clients and stakeholders
  • Self-motivated and comfortable working independently, yet successful at balancing working as part of a team
  • Comfortable taking direction and being empowered to take the initiative
  • Able to reliably set priorities, manage multiple tasks, and meet task deadlines for multiple  
  • Self-motivated and comfortable working independently with limited supervision
  • An effective and reliable communicator
  • Able to reliably set priorities, manage multiple tasks, and meet project deadlines
  • Comfortable learning on the job
  • Able to balance work across multiple projects for multiple clients
  • Proficient and comfortable working in Excel and closely tracking data
  • Fluent with virtual meeting technologies such as zoom, WebEx, Miro, Poll Everywhere, etc.

This position:

  • will require regular presence in our Washington, DC office and may require some travel (local, regional, national)
  • is a non-partisan, “neutral” position in relation to subject matter, not an advocacy position

IMMEDIATE HIRE: We plan to fill this position as soon as possible.

Education, Certifications and Experience

MINIMUM EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree or equivalent. Advanced degree or education is valued.

REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE: Proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), particularly in Excel, is required. Demonstrated project management experience is required.

PREFERRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE: Strong candidates will have a minimum of two years of employment experience. Proficiency with basic contract management tools including budget tracking is preferred and a recognized project management certification is valued. Demonstrated understanding of federal government contracting is desired. An interest across any or all of the following is desired: project management, data management, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation and stakeholder engagement.

PRIOR DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR EXPERIENCE: We value a demonstrated prior connection to and professional relationships with the Department of the Interior.

How to Apply

Please e-mail a resume and cover letter to personnel@kearnswest.com. We ask that you not call K&W staff or send telecopies. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.

Senior Associate/Associate, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs Focus, Sacramento, CA

In Careers, News

THE ORGANIZATION 

Kearns & West is a leader in the collaborative communications field, providing services in strategic communications, public affairs, public involvement, stakeholder facilitation, and community outreach for the public and private sectors. Founded in 1984, the small, woman-owned business has offices in Sacramento, San Francisco, Davis, San Diego, Riverside, CA; Washington, D.C.; and Portland, OR.   

Kearns & West’s high-stakes projects include work at local, state, and national levels and cover a variety of sectors including transportation, land use and community planning, major public facilities and infrastructure, natural resources, energy, water, and marine resources. At the core of all our projects is finding solutions to advance policies and programs essential to solving some of society’s most pressing problems. Kearns & West helps clients build more equitable and sustainable communities through policy innovation, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration. 

Kearns & West is the ideal match for professionals seeking meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and colleagues that are smart, supportive, and oriented toward public service. Once on board, our team members stay for the long term. The entrepreneurial culture at Kearns & West values employee initiatives in practice innovation and business development. 

For more information, please visit: www.kearnswest.com. 

THE POSITION 

Based out of Sacramento, the Senior Associate/Associate position involves a wide range of responsibilities and roles including strategic communications, media relations, public affairs, community outreach, event management and crisis media management.   

Key responsibilities include: 

  • Developing and implementing strategic communications plans, earned media strategies and social media campaigns. 
  • Crafting and creating communications (press releases, talking points, articles, fact sheets, etc.) and multimedia (social media, videos, websites, etc.) content and materials.
  • Coordinating of stakeholder meetings including preparation of agendas, meeting materials, and confirmation. 
  • Drafting agendas, facilitation plans, meeting summaries, public comments, emails, and stakeholder outreach and engagement plans. 
  • Planning and executing stakeholder meetings and workshops including logistics of webinar platforms and functionality, supporting preparation and coordination of presenters, and materials distribution. 
  • Interacting with diverse stakeholders, including clients, other consultants, federal and state agencies, public officials, non-governmental organizations, and community members. 
  • Participating in internal team calls to coordinate roles, tasks, and share ideas.
  • Developing project proposals including budgets, business development. 
  • Supporting project management including contract administration, financial tracking, and invoice and expense report preparation.   

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE 

The Senior Associate/Associate focused on the fields of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs will be based in Sacramento and will primarily support communications, outreach and public engagement for a variety of clients in numerous sectors ranging from transportation, telecommunications, water, marine and community and regional planning. 

A background in communications, public affairs, technology, and government relations is desirable. An ideal candidate will have experience in working with elected officials, government agencies, campaigns, social media and an interest in working for public-and private sector clients.  

The ideal candidate has: 

  • 3-7 years of experience in communications, public policy, and government relations. 
  • Background with current and emerging social media, multimedia, and video platforms. 
  • Proven ability to manage projects in collaboration with multiple team members, including in-house staff, consultants, clients and outside stakeholders. 
  • Excellent writing and public speaking skills and demonstrated ability to translate complex concepts into accessible, audience-specific materials. 
  • Strong organizational skills, detail orientation, and ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects. 
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment in an emotionally intelligent and collaborative manner. 

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE  

MINIMUM EDUCATION: Minimum of bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science, public policy, or related field. Advanced degree or education a plus but will not change job duties. 

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Successful candidates will have a minimum of three (3) to seven (7) years of experience with a focus on communications, public policy, or government relations. Proficiency with online collaboration tools and emerging social media. Spanish-speaking candidates are highly encouraged to apply. 

Successful candidates will have a minimum of three (3) to seven (7) years of experience with a focus on media relations, communications, local government, technology issues, community relations, public policy, and/or conflict management and resolution. Spanish-speaking candidates are highly encouraged to apply.  

REQUIRED SKILLS: Proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel). Proficiency in online collaboration tools is desirable. Proficiency with database management, graphic design, and social media tools are also a plus. 

COMPENSATION 

Compensation will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. 

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION 

Kearns & West is committed to maintaining a diverse workplace and is an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. 

HOW TO APPLY 

Please apply by emailing a resume and cover letter to personnel@kearnswest.com. 

Director/Senior Director, Portland, OR

In Careers, News

For Immediate Hire

THE ORGANIZATION 

Kearns & West is a leader in the collaborative communications field, providing services in public involvement, stakeholder facilitation, community outreach, and mediation, for the public and private sector. Founded in 1984, the small, woman-owned business has offices in Portland, Riverside, San Diego, Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. 

Focusing on positive, mutually beneficial results has allowed Kearns & West to maintain long-term relationships with the people and organizations they assist. The firm’s high-stakes projects include work at local, state, and national levels and cover a variety of sectors including transportation, natural resources, equity and diversity, land use and community planning, major public facilities and infrastructure, energy, water, and marine resources. At the core of all of our projects is finding solutions to advance essential policies and programs. 

Kearns & West is the ideal match for professionals seeking meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and colleagues that are smart, capable and supportive. Once on board, our employees stay for the long term. The entrepreneurial culture at Kearns & West values employee initiatives in practice innovation and business development. Compensation and benefits at Kearns & West are also highly competitive with firms in our field. 

THE POSITION 

Kearns & West seeks Director or Senior Director in our Portland, Oregon office. This position involves a wide range of responsibilities and roles, including: all aspects of planning and executing a full range of stakeholder-focused meetings, workshop, and other forums; applying a diverse set of process skills including facilitation and mediation; designing and conducting effective public involvement; strategic planning; development of project proposals and identification of new business opportunities; project and client management; and contract administration.  

Candidates from a variety of backgrounds, including dispute resolution, public policy, and communications will be considered. An interest in collaborative problem-solving and effective communications is essential. This position requires a non-partisan, neutral approach to policy issues and solutions consistent with K&W’s principles of impartiality. 

In particular, the position offers the right candidate the opportunity to build or advance a career in engagement and dispute resolution, including planning and executing stakeholder input processes; supporting clients in building their negotiation capabilities; assessing complex issues; engaging diverse communities and constituencies in public policy processes; developing collaboration information gathering and planning processes; developing consensus-backed plans, policies and settlements; and translating consensus into agreements, implementation and adaptive management programs. The position provides an opportunity to work on projects throughout the Pacific Northwest as well as the possibility of involvement in state-wide and national projects.  

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE 

The ideal candidate will be someone with experience in the policy arena and demonstrated interest in a range of collaborative engagement and conflict resolution skills. This candidate will also have a track record of successful client development and strategic decision making. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic in joining the K&W team as a senior member. 

In addition, the ideal candidate will be: 

  • Committed to good public policy, integrity and positive solutions 
  • Able to both lead and contribute to teams and groups 
  • Organized and prepared to contribute to broader team organization 
  • Comfortable planning and facilitating stakeholder meetings, workshops, and other forums of diverse sizes, as well as public meetings that involve a high level of conflict 
  • Committed to business development and growing Kearns & West’s collaboration practice sector and/or a pre-existing client base 
  • Willing to mentor and support other team members in their professional development 
  • Adaptable and flexible
  • An effective and reliable communicator and skilled writer 
  • Able to reliably set priorities, manage multiple tasks, and meet project deadlines 
  • Able to work and balance multiple projects for multiple clients 
  • Successful at balancing working as part of a team with working independently 
  • Comfortable operating in a small (6-8 person) office environment and collaborating virtually with inter-office teams (based in San Francisco/Los Angeles/Sacramento/Davis/Atlanta/Washington, DC).  

QUALIFICATIONS 

This position requires a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. An advanced degree or education and/or policy-level experience in government or the private sector is preferred.  

Successful candidates will have 8-12 years of experience with stakeholder 

engagement, meeting facilitation, conflict management and resolution, local and regional government, public policy, and/or community relations. Experience in the fields of transportation, equity, and natural resources is desired. A background in communications, stakeholder engagement and facilitation consulting is highly desirable. Demonstrated success in building client relationships and generating business is desired. Fluency in Spanish is a significant plus.  

Applicant must demonstrate strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office. 

COMPENSATION 

The salary for this position is open and will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. In addition, benefits are provided which include: profit-sharing; 401K; bonuses; health, dental and disability insurance; vacation and holidays; and more. 

HOW TO APPLY 

Please apply immediately by submitting cover letter and resume to personnel@kearnswest.com with the subject “Portland Director/Senior Director Opening.” Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.