Limited Term Public Affairs Specialist I-II
Are you an organized, innovative and energetic self-starter who enjoys building community awareness and trust? Do you enjoy connecting with people and spending time in nature? The Limited Term Public Affairs Specialist I-II position is an exciting opportunity to share your passion and spread the news about Midpen’s open space preserves, programs and projects!
About Midpen: Midpen helps plants, animals and people thrive throughout the greater Santa Cruz Mountains region by preserving a greenbelt of more than 70,000 acres of public open space with more than 250 miles of trails in 27 extraordinary preserves, permanently protected for natural resource conservation and ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. Midpen is a public agency with a focused mission that guides our work, and where every employee makes an impact. If you are looking for an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the legacy of open space protection, natural resource restoration and outdoor recreation, working with an incredible team of like-minded colleagues, we invite you to apply for this position! Check out the Working for Midpen video on our Employment Opportunities page. At Midpen, we believe open space is for all. Our public lands are shared spaces provided for the community by the community. All people, regardless of background, deserve respect, dignity, safety, and a sense of belonging. Midpen welcomes all people to enjoy the public open space preserves we hold in trust, supporting the mental, physical, and social well-being of our region.
About the Position: Midpen aims to recruit and retain employees who embody professionalism, accountability, and respect, who value working in a purpose-driven agency that aspires to contribute to an inclusive and diverse community. The Limited Term Public Affairs Specialist I-II is part of a cohesive team of eight in the Public Affairs Department. The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator, flexible and thrives with a full and varied workload in a dynamic and collaborative team environment.
Public Affairs Specialist II: Primary responsibilities will be supporting community outreach and engagement, including coordinating and implementing the community outreach plan with the outreach specialist lead, event coordination and calendaring, and representing Midpen at community events and workshops. Other responsibilities include coordinating and building relationships with community partners, creating content for social media posts and campaigns, drafting and proofreading marketing materials and communications and other duties as assigned.
Public Affairs Specialist II Annual Pay Range: $111,156-$138,800
Public Affairs Specialist I: Performs most of the professional duties required of the Public Affairs Specialist II but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment.
Public Affairs Specialist I Annual Pay Range: $89,253-$111,478
View the full Job Description on our website.
A Few Reasons Why You May Love This Job
- Connecting with people from different backgrounds and introducing them to the outdoors
- Collaborative work that directly supports Midpen’s mission to protect and restore the natural environment
- You’ll be part of a talented and dynamic team whose work contributes to providing nature’s benefits to everyone
- Mix of office and outdoor environment
Education and Experience: any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public relations, communications, business administration, or a closely related field, and:
- Public Affairs Specialist I: one (1) year of increasingly responsible experience in a public affairs or community outreach program is highly desired. No experience is required.
- Public Affairs Specialist II: two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in a public affairs or community outreach program.
Licenses & Certifications Required: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.
Working Conditions and Schedule: Midpen offers a hybrid office/telecommute work schedule, which will be divided between onsite work, at home remote work and some outdoor work. When community outreach and engagement events are scheduled during the events season, the Limited Term Public Affairs Specialist will be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. This position reports to the Public Affairs department at Midpen’s administrative offices in Los Altos, California.
Benefits: Midpen provides an excellent benefits package including health, life & disability insurance and a CalPERS pension. Please see the Benefits page on Midpen’s website for details.
How to Apply: Apply online at CalOpps.org. Application Deadline: January 19, 2025.
Applicants with the most relevant experience and qualifications suitable for the position will be invited to interview.
The following application items are required to be considered*:
- Fully completed CalOpps employment application
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Supplemental question responses
- Three writing samples of work you’ve done in the past (press releases, newsletter articles, blog/social media posts, brochure copy, or other promotional materials)
*Incomplete CalOpps employment applications, or applications without the required application items listed here, will not be considered for the position.
Interview Schedule: (dates subject to change)
First Interview (virtual): January 30, 2025
Second Interview (in person): February 4, 2025
A note to applicants who currently live outside of the San Francisco Bay Area: before committing to the application process, and if you haven’t done so already, we suggest evaluating the feasibility of relocation. We recommend researching the cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area, the cost to relocate, and typical commute times to Los Altos from outlying areas.
Midpen reserves the right to limit or deny off-duty employment or business ownership which creates a conflict of interest or an incompatibility with District employment. Additional information can be found in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual Section 4.13 Off-Duty Employment and Business Ownership.
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the Human Resources department at 650-691-1200.
Put your passion for Open Space to work!
