Communications Officer

Definition

The Communications Officer (Public Information Officer) is responsible for citywide public communications. The position works closely with executive leadership to accomplish successful communication, outreach, and engagement with the community regarding City business and progress toward City Council and organizational goals. The Communications Officer plans and organizes public communications activities and operations including, but not limited to, media relations, community relations, Sister and Friendship Cities, crisis communications management, branding, internal communications, and social media programs. Working with other departments and outside agencies, the position provides highly responsible and complex administrative consultation. This position requires a highly collaborative approach in facilitating positive outcomes through effective leadership, influence, credibility, experience, and expertise in all the strategic and operational aspects of public affairs within Cupertino.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. 

Establish and lead a uniform City communications strategy. 

Mobilize and lead the Communications team in delivering innovative services. 

Manage projects and programs; monitor workflow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.

Serve as spokesperson for the City and answers inquiries from the media, community, organizations, and other sources.

Prepare, review, edit, and approve newsletters, website content, brochures, fact sheets, press releases, and presentations to create public awareness of City activities and events. 

Administers the City’s marketing, public information and media relations and communications programs; provides for 24-hour response to media inquiries. 

Manages annual State-of-the-City-Address, press conferences, and other community events.  

Lead and partner with City Departments and Divisions for information and resources to promote effective and consistent public information and outreach methods and procedures Citywide.  

Coordinate activities with other departments and outside agencies; provide staff assistance to the City Manager and City Council; prepare and present staff reports and other correspondence. 

Identify and cultivate strategic alliances with governmental and non-governmental organizations. 

Prepare presentations, talking points, and speeches for the City Manager, Mayor and Assistant City Manager as needed. 

Stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of communications, multimedia technologies, web page image and design, social media, and emergency communication.  

Leads the City’s crisis communications function as the Public Information Officer during citywide crises to ensure emergency instructions and critical information is disseminated to the public.  

Build consensus for enterprise solutions by promoting ideas persuasively, working through organizational conflict, and shaping stakeholder opinions. 

Set key milestones and program accountability for meeting organizational objectives. Establish and monitor division goals and budget. 

May direct other professional and/or technical staff. 

Perform related duties as assigned. 

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of communications and public information, including media relations relative to public agencies. 

Various forms of mass media including print, television, radio, Internet, and social media.

Structure and content of the English language including spelling, punctuation, grammar, and rules of composition.

Principles and techniques of contemporary communications channels, including social media, video production and storytelling, advertising, publications, public access broadcast operations, etc.  

Consensus building, active listening, strategic planning, and performance measurement. 

Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations. 

Organizational and management practices as applied to policy and program development. 

Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

Ability to: 

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, elected officials, residents, interest groups, legislators, and other governmental officials; communicate technical information including complex rules, regulations, legislation, and laws in a manner that is appropriate for the intended audience. 

Prepare and present clear, concise, and accurate oral and written reports, statements, speeches, talking points and presentations. Work in a team-based environment to achieve common goals. 

Exercise good judgement and make sound decisions in changing environments. Actively review and assign work to team members.  

Develop and implement City policies and procedures, translating strategy into integrated implementation. 

Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals. 

Lead, supervise, train, and evaluate staff. 

On a continuous basis, sit at a desk and in meetings for long periods of time. Intermittently, twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and communicate through written means; and lift or carry weight of 25 pounds or less.

Education and Experience

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. 

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university with major emphasis in public administration, journalism, mass media communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field; and five years of increasingly responsible experience in journalism, mass media communications, public relations, or public information services, including direct work with elected/appointed officials and media representatives. 

Licenses and Certifications

This classification requires the ability to travel independently within and outside City limits and possession of a valid Class C California driver’s license.

Working Conditions

This position may be required to work evenings and weekends or in situations of emergency for communications response and media monitoring.  

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer. To operate a motor vehicle and to visit various City and meeting sites. Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard, or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.

Environmental Elements

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. 

Application and Selection Process

If you are interested in this promotional opportunity, please submit your City of Cupertino employment application, cover letter and resume to Human Resources by no later than 5:00 p.m., May 25, 2023. Applications must be filled out completely. Failure to list work experience or stating “See Resume” in the work experience section of the application will be considered an incomplete application and subject to rejection. Resumes may be attached separately. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City’s employment page at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Cupertino/promotionaljobs  or application materials may be submitted to: Human Resources, 10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014. Late applications will not be accepted. 

Applications will be screened according to the qualifications outlined in this job announcement. Applicants possessing the most desirable qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which may include a written examination and/or panel interview.  An eligible list will be established as a result of this process and will remain in effect for 3 months from the date established and may be extended up to one year. 

Additional Information

The City of Cupertino is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of a person’s race, religion, color, sex (including gender and pregnancy), sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, age, medical condition, genetic characteristics, and physical or mental disability. Candidates with a disability, which may require special assistance in any phase of the application or testing process, should advise City of Cupertino Human Resources upon submittal of application.  Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request.  

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Salary : $146,411 - $177,965