Responsibilities

• Organizes communication activities to foster public understanding of City goals, policies, programs and services;
• Brings to public attention through various forms of media, significant facts, opinions and interpretations to keep the public informed;
• Develops materials to be presented in press announcements, including press releases, press briefings, press conferences and feature articles on various City services;
• Develops, coordinates and participates in news conferences, special events, and other programs of City and public interest;
• Facilitates the accurate and full coverage of City issues by the news media;
• Takes photographs for publications, audiovisual presentations and public displays;
• Consults with Police and Fire department field supervisors and/or incident commanders, is reasonably available for call-out to public safety incidents, and serves as liaison to the media to assure appropriate access and flow of information;
• Reviews daily police logs for release to the press;
• Organizes emergency public information in the event of a local disaster;
• Supervises operations of the City’s government access cable television channels and facilities;

Requirements

• Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in journalism, communications, public relations or a related field; and, three (3) years of experience working in the field of journalism, primarily with writing and editing responsibility, and three (3) years of experience in an administrative or staff capacity in a private or public organization involving regular contact with elected/appointed officials and/or media representatives.
• Licenses and Certifications: Valid California class C driver’s license with satisfactory driving record and automobile insurance.
• Other Requirements: Must be bilingual in English and Spanish.