Job Description
Job Summary
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Are you an expert at creating quality, meaningful connections between government and the public? We’re looking for someone to join our team as a Communications Specialist.
Interviews are expected to be during the week of July 7th, 2025 and job offers will be the week after. The department will reach out to candidates to invite them to participate in an interview.
COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
The County Communications Office (CCO) builds connections with the community and County employees through innovative, transparent, trusted communications and meaningful engagement opportunities. CCO shares information about County operations, initiatives, services, programs and activities and engages the public through media relations, web, video, and graphic design using a variety of channels, including CountyNewsCenter.com, CNC TV, social media, and the County's digital engagement platform EngageSanDiegoCounty.gov. CCO also works with County departments and the community to expand opportunities for community engagement and access to language services through programs and policies.
THE POSITION
The County has an exciting opportunity for a COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST in the County Communications Office. With community engagement at the center of the County's operations, the person in this role will work directly to support internal, media and external communications, along with community engagement processes to strengthen the connection between the County and the communities it serves. Under the direction of CCO deputy directors and managers, the Communication Specialist will be assigned to various communications, community engagement and language services projects and contribute to the implementation of County programs and policy.
In addition to the essential functions outlined in the job description, the position will be responsible for the following:
- Lead efforts to expand internal and external knowledge and use of the County's communications, community engagement, and language services and resources.
- Support the development and implementation of County communications and community engagement strategies.
- Support special projects to advance the County's efforts to improve access and equity in communications and community engagement.
- Assist research of communications, language, accessibility, and engagement best practices including identifying additional resources and tools ranging from outreach techniques, online meeting platforms, language services tools, engagement tools, and frameworks.
- Assist with developing internal communications related to best practices in communications, engagement, and language access, including toolkit items (tip sheets, resource lists, presentations, etc.) and training content.
- Assist with report development, data gathering and analysis.
- Develop and review written communications to ensure the use of plain language and considerations for language and cultural values.
- Design and coordinate the development of communications toolkits to promote various communications and community engagement campaigns across the enterprise.
- Support the development and delivery of staff training programs.
- In emergencies, works under a Joint Information Center (JIC) structure within the Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
IDEAL CANDIDATES
- Understands reputation management and the intersection of community engagement and communications.
- The person in this position must be an exceptional writer and strategic thinker who is able to collect and analyze complex information to create clear and engaging communications for the community and County employees.
- Passion for making connections between government and the community through quality communications and engagement efforts.
- Values diverse perspective and ideas.
- Work experience in community engagement, communications, public relations or related field.
- Proven success in designing outreach and/or community engagement campaigns and projects including a variety of tactics to reach diverse audiences across digital and in-person tactics.
- Experience with data collection and quantitative/qualitative analysis to develop findings and recommendations.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including familiarity with writing styles for multiple platforms such as print and web.
- Ability to collect and analyze complex information and share it with the media, community and County employees in a way that is engaging and easy to understand.
- Innovative with proven success in following and implementing trends and best practices in communications and community engagement to find new ways to connect with diverse audiences with an emphasis on access and belonging.
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Bilingual language skills in one of the County's eight threshold languages preferred.
- Microsoft Office, Engagement HQ, SurveyMonkey and AEM proficiency preferred.
Please click here to view the complete job description for this position.
HIRING TIMELINE AND DATES
The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.
- Interviews, Job Offers and Background Process will be ongoing. (Current County employees may be exempt from the background process.)
- Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
- Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.
If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, in communications, journalism, advertising, English, marketing or a closely related field; AND,
1. Three (3) years of full-time professional experience as a reporter or producer/director in an electronic or print news organization; OR,
2. Three (3) years of full-time professional experience working in the field of public relations including conducting media presentations and writing news releases.Note: Additional years of experience as described above may substitute for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT
As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
EVALUATION PROCESS
The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a nine (9) month eligible list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment and supplemental application. Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application form will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process, your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.
Veteran’s Preference Policy The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego.
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