Posted: Feb 4, 2025

Public Information Officer

City of Montebello - Montebello, California

Full-time

Salary: $72,983.00 - $91,146.00 Annually

Application Deadline: Feb 18, 2025

APPLICATION FILING PERIOD

This recruitment is set to close on February 18, 2025. It is in the applicants' best interest to submit their application as early as possible.

The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time during the recruitment process. This job posting may be closed at any time without notice.

JOB SUMMARY

Under general direction, to assist in handling community relations and the general promotion of the City of Montebello; to develop and implement strategies designed to raise community awareness of City services, activities, and programs; and to perform related work as required.

This is a high-level staff support position with general responsibility for the organization, development, coordination and completion of complex projects. This position will coordinate administer, lead and perform a variety of functions related to advertising, graphic design, marketing, photography, videography, promotions, media, and supervise the work of regular City, hourly, volunteer, or interns engaged in providing related programs and services.

Develop and create a variety of promotional and public communication materials and programs that provide information about City services, activities, events and programs to residents and general public; define, implement and analyze effective public relations strategies, followed by continuous evaluation; plan and initiate public relations campaigns, defining goals, analyzing opportunities and liaising with management and internal and external clients; plan, coordinate, administer, lead and perform a variety of functions related to advertising, graphic design, marketing, photography, videography, promotions and media; supervise work of regular city, hourly, volunteer, or interns engaged in providing related programs and services; collaborating with co-workers and/or local community organizations and representatives; research, write and edit a variety of news and information articles and coordinate publications such as community and employee newsletters; with administrative approval, identify the need for, write, edit and distribute press releases and other related public materials about various City events, activities policies, functions and programs; represent the City in communicating with the media, as assigned; operate a camera or other digital equipment and take photographs and videos for various events such as ground breakings, dedications, etc.; ability to prepare speech writing, memos, press releases, correspondence and legislative position letters; perform special projects such as community surveys, special interest studies and staff reports; serve as City's chief website administrator, coordinating related City employee user groups, departmental website administrators and website taskforces; respond to complaints; refer special concerns to the appropriate department and follow-up as necessary; represent assigned functions with City staff and other governmental agencies as delegated; make public presentations to promote City policies, procedures, events, activities and functions; provide briefings to the Administration on all matters involving public affairs and community relations; attend meetings, including City Council and/or Commission meetings, as assigned.

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

Education: College coursework, preferably graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or a university with major course work in public administration, business, journalism, English, or a closely related field.

Work Background: A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in government administration, public relations, advertising, design or marketing or closely related field.

Special Requirements: Possession of an appropriate and valid California Driver's License.

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices and techniques of community relations in a municipal government.
Basic concepts of public administration in a municipal government setting.
Basic/advanced concepts of graphics and design (Adobe Illustrator, CANVA, InDesign, etc.).
Basic/advanced understanding of social media management and Hootsuite.
Office management skills, procedures and equipment.
Computer applications including word processing & publishing software.
Correct English usage, writing, grammar, punctuation & sentence syntax.
Research methods and procedures.

Ability to:

Develop and help execute creative concepts in order to grow the City's social media presence.
Prepare graphic designs, concepts, and sample layouts for social media publications and online marketing including direct mail, ads, flyers, logos, newsletters, posters, and other.
Understanding of graphic design principles, advertising, and marketing knowledge required.
Design and layout written material, graphs and photographs to best present the information.
Write speeches, articles, memos and correspondence.
Research, prepare, and present oral and written reports; copy for traditional, social, content and all e-media, and special projects.
Demonstrate initiative, self motivation and good judgment.
Prepare a variety of reports, documents, images that can be used in conjunction with correspondence, reports and presentations.
Research, collect and analyze information related to public affairs and community relations.
Conduct surveys, analyze, compile and present results.
Responsible for the management of graphic design files and image libraries.
Interpret, explain and apply a variety of laws, rules and regulations.
Effectively represent the public service functions of the City with concerned individuals, local organizations, governmental agencies and representatives of the community.
Responsible for the production of an e-newsletter to subscribers and build subscriber list.
Develop interactive/interconnected content to improve digital marketing performance.
Organize, coordinate and schedule staff assignments, projects, and programs.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with local community and user groups.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Excellent written skills and ability to effectively prepare program documents and other duties as assigned.

Supplemental Information:

** The City of Montebello is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws in its employment actions, decisions, policies and practices.