Communications Assistant

The City of Turlock is accepting applications for the position of Communications Assistant. This position is responsible for coordinating various communication initiatives, including: creating and maintaining the City’s social media resources (Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn); updating the City website; issuing news releases; editing the City’s newsletters and other media; creating, filming and editing video; providing photographic services; and assisting with various outreach efforts as assigned in an effort to inform and engage the community. This position will require the ability to work weekends and evenings, as assigned.
 
This classification is assigned to the Confidential bargaining group for labor relations purposes and is subject to overtime assignments.

An eligibility list will be established from this recruitment that will be valid for six (6) months.  All employees are required to serve a twelve (12) month probationary period.  ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS- Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
 

• Compose and update City website content including news releases.
• Maintain and update the City’s social media efforts and collaborate with the cross-departmental social media team; monitors City social media feeds and responds as appropriate; posts information on the City administered platforms. 
• Builds and develops the City's press relationships to ensure accurate coverage of events, programs and activities; maintains regular media contacts and keeps them informed of issues and events of importance to the City and citizens.
• Develops and participates in special events.
• Write, edit and prepare informational materials, including the City’s newsletters, to inform the community of City issues, services, programs and events. 
• Develop, plan and implement opportunities to improve public awareness of and involvement in City services, programs, plans and projects; 
• Develop partnerships and coordinate information with outside individuals and agencies to foster community service, education and information;
• Represent the City in outside meetings and public events; 
• Establish, maintain and foster cooperative working relationships with city-wide departments in the course of work.
• Create and maintain the City’s social media resources (Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn), insuring an active and engaging presence and appropriate content.
• Prepare information for billboards and City TV monitors.
• Create videos on various topics for posting on YouTube and other City outlets. 
• Provide photographic services.
• Assist with various tasks as assigned including community engagement and volunteer events. 
• Perform other related work as required.

Ability to:

• Post content, monitor and evaluate website and social media outlets.
• Develop written material, photos and video for the community; 
• Work proficiently with Microsoft Office, including effective use of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing. 
• Write clearly and concisely for a variety of audiences and prepare public information to engage and inform the community.
• Comprehend and follow oral and written instructions; manage time and activities to complete assignments timely.
• Effectively complete project assignments and multiple priorities to operate within budget, meet all objectives and meet deadlines.
• Establish effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work, ensuring positive interpersonal relations with others.
• Develop and maintain administrative databases and other information.
• Develop and deliver presentations.
• Work with teams to complete various tasks as needed. 
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems, both manual and automated.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

 
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public outreach.
• Social media tools and account management.
• Organization and function of public agencies, including the role of an elected City Council and appointed boards and commissions.
• Modern office administrative practices and procedures, including the use of standard office equipment.
• Business letter writing and the standard format for reports and correspondence.
• Principles and practices of data collection and report preparation.
• Computer applications related to the work, including word processing, web design, database, and spreadsheet applications.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer applications.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. 
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

EXPERIENCE
 
One year of experience in public engagement activities, social media outlets, websites as well as preparing written and visual content for a variety of platforms.
 
EDUCATION
 
Equivalent to an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with significant course work in the areas of Communication, Journalism, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related fields.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
 
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment and the ability to maintain it as a condition of continued employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Maintain the following physical abilities: see well enough to view and work with computer screen(s) for extended periods, read fine print; hear well enough to converse on the telephone in assisting the public with emergency and non-emergency situations; use of hands and fingers for use of answering telephones, computer keyboard, writing and filing.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
 
Possession of a Bachelor’s degree.  Experience and knowledge in local government communications.

SELECTION PROCESS

1. All applicants must complete a standard City of Turlock application for employment form, and submit the following documentation: 

• Verification of educational requirements (submit a copy of transcripts or copy of degree)

4. Candidates invited to compete in the testing process may be required to take a written examination, which is graded on a pass/fail basis.  Only those applicants who pass the written examination will advance to the oral examination. The oral examination is tentatively scheduled for the week of July 25, 2023.   

5. Candidates invited to compete in an oral examination that receives a score of 70% or more will be placed on an eligibility list. Ranking on the eligibility list is based solely on the results of the oral exam.

6. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be referred to the Department for an interview.

7. Final appointment will be contingent upon passing the following: reference review, medical examination which includes a drug screening, hearing exam and vision exam.  

MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND DRUG SCREENING 

The incumbent will be required to take a medical examination including a drug screening and be fingerprinted.
 

BENEFITS

Holidays: Eleven (11) paid holidays and two (2) floating holidays.
Vacation: Paid vacation that increases with years of service.
Sick Leave: Accrual of one day (eight (8) hours) for each month worked.
Retirement: Qualified candidates who are currently a CalPERS member or have been a CalPERS member within the last six (6) months or are subject to reciprocity with another eligible retirement plan, may be a "classic member" and may be enrolled in the City's 2.7% @ 55 plan.  Employee pays employee contribution rate of 9% on a pre-tax basis. CalPERS "final compensation" may be based on the highest twelve (12) continuous months of qualifying employment.
Non-classic or "new members" will be enrolled in the 2% @ 62 plan and CalPERS "final compensation" will be based on the highest thirty-six (36) continuous months of qualifying employment.
Deferred Compensation: The City will match employee's contribution up to one half of one percent (0.5%) of the employee's base salary for each pay period in which employee contributes to the program.

Vantage Care Retiree Health Savings Plan: The City will contribute two and one-half percent of base salary to the employee's retiree health savings plan.

Health: The City offers generous health, prescription, vision, and dental insurance plans for employees and dependents.

The City of Turlock does not participate in Social Security, although employees participate in Medicare.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE SYSTEM:

The City of Turlock has adopted a veteran's preference system (effective January 1, 2002). The percentage score achieved through an entrance (non-promotional) examination which ranks applicants on an eligibility list shall be adjusted to provide: (a) one (1) percentage point added to the final test score for each six (6) months of active service during a time of armed conflict, up to a maximum of five (5) points, and (b) five (5) percentage points added to the final test score for veteran's who are disabled as a result of active military service during a time of armed conflict, regardless of length of service. To receive preference points, applicants must provide supporting documentation and proof of honorable discharge. In no event shall an applicant receive more than a five (5) point adjustment. This request should be made in section #12 of the employment application form.  A copy of your DD214 must be attached for this request to be considered.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The City of Turlock is an equal Opportunity Employer. We are sincerely interested in receiving applications from qualified minorities, women, and disabled candidates. Qualified applicants receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, political affiliation, or belief except where indicated by requirements of the job.
 

WHERE TO APPLY
City of Turlock
Human Relations Department
156 S. Broadway, Suite 235
Turlock, CA 95380-5454
(209) 668-5150  

or

Visit our website at www.cityofturlock.org to apply.

All applications must be returned to the Human Relations Department no later than Thursday, July 13, 2023 at 5 p.m.  

POSTMARKED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Cell phones are typically incompatible with online application format or browsers we recommend using a desktop or laptop Computer. If your are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627. 

Salary : $4,305 - $5,234