Location
Description
Per the City’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the City requires all employees starting on or after February 11, 2022 to provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment absent a documented medical and/or religious exemption. Proof of vaccination means that employees are required to be “up-to-date” with regards to the COVID-19 vaccine. Consistent with the Santa Clara County Public Health Order issued on December 28, 2021, "up-to-date" means that employees are required to be vaccinated with the entire recommended initial series of a COVID-19 vaccine (two doses of the Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine).
Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third-party job board application system. To apply, applicants must complete an application via the City of San Jose’s website at http://www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers.
The total salary range for the Media Relations and Communications Specialist/Manager position (classification could be Council Community Relations Coordinator or Council Community Relations Director – Unclassified commensurate with experience) is $58,631.04 - $109,791.76. This amount includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.
The Mayor serves as the political leader in San José, and under the City Charter, is responsible for recommending policy, program, and budget priorities for the City. The Office of Mayor-Elect Matt Mahan is seeking an organized, creative, and energetic individual who is passionate about serving the community of San José and committed to advancing the Mayor’s vision for the City. The individual will join a dynamic team led by the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer that is responsible for carrying out a comprehensive and multi-faceted media relations and communications operation.
Responsibilities for this position may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Writing and editing press releases, media advisories, speeches, opinion pieces, mayoral correspondence, news and feature articles and a wide variety of other communications materials.
- Assisting with scheduling and drafting content for a multi-faceted social media strategy to effectively engage the community and constituents with the Mayor's policies, positions, and goals.
- Conduct a range of media outreach strategies, including placing stories in media outlets; coordinating operations, such as scheduling, for media requests and interview preparation; pitching media, and managing media lists.
- Conduct research and prepare information for media interviews, media memos, strategy sessions, and to advise on policy decisions.
- Proactively review media sources and outlets, scroll through news sites and social media to stay current on local, regional, and national topics that affect San José and the Mayor’s policies.
- Analyzing earned and owned media metrics as well as larger external trends.
- Day-to-day administration of the office’s communication tools and schedule.
Employees in this classification are not members of the classified civil service and appointment would be on a contract “at-will” basis and is for a specified period of time to be determined by the appointing elected official and does not extend past the end of the elected official's or appointing authority's term. Candidates must be willing to work evenings and weekends on occasion, and as exempt management employees, are not eligible for overtime compensation. This unclassified position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income and business positions.
Ideal Candidate
Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of training, education, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to advise and support the Mayor on matters of constituent services, public policy, community outreach and engagement, and communications.
Council Community Relations Coordinator (7676)
Education: Typically requires a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.
Experience: Typically two or more years of public or customer service, public relations, communications, or recreation programming experience.
Council Community Relations Director (7678)
Education: Typically requires a Bachelor’s Degree in public administration, business administration, journalism, public relations or related field
Experience: Typically five or more years of public or customer service, public relations, communications or recreation programming experience. Experience working for an elected official at the federal, state, or local level or as a public or private sector manager is highly desirable. A Master’s Degree in public or business administration; or a degree in a technical field related to a municipal function is highly desirable.
*Either position will also require the following:
Required Licensing: Possession of a valid California Driver’s license.
Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.
The ideal candidate will offer the following abilities and knowledge, as demonstrated in employment history or other experience. We desire a well-rounded, dedicated, and enthusiastic individual with a broad combination of skills and abilities. A competitive candidate will possess all the following attributes:
- Deep understanding of media relations, pitching, relationship management, article corrections etc.
- Experience writing media collateral, for example: press kits, press releases, advisories, pitches, opinion pieces, blogs etc.
- Experience in public affairs, local government or political offices is desirable (note, completion of a post-graduate degree or a relevant fellowship/internship may be considered in-lieu of one (1) year of professional work experience).
- Four (4) years’ experience working in public relations, or at least two (2) working for an elected official is desirable.
- A strong communicator with exceptional writing skills; Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, with both precision and political and cultural sensitivity.
- An individual who brings a flexible and creative approach to every task.
- A highly organized individual who demonstrates sound judgment and extreme attention to detail, with the ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple tasks on tight deadlines.
- A “people person” who can relate to a diverse group of individuals, and who has the ability to initiate, develop and maintain productive relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders.
- Willingness to take direction from CCMO while asserting personal initiative to determine the best means to accomplish such tasks or projects and the organizational objective.
- Proficiency in all Microsoft Office Tools (including Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook).
- An individual who demonstrates high ethical standards.
- Experience executing press conferences.
In addition, the ideal candidate will also possess extensive training and skills, in one or more of the following areas:
- Logistical and staff support of all other communications tactics and needs.
- Press relations tactics and strategy.
Selection Process
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process may consist of one or more interviews. You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process. Please note that there is a 4,000-character limit, including spaces, for each text response.
To be considered for this position, you must fill out the online application on the City of San José website and submit the following:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Three (3) writing samples (these samples must be your work product; past press releases, advisories, or blog posts).
You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.
1. Briefly describe your experience, and successes, in the following areas: 1) Writing & Editing; 2) Media Relations & Outreach; 3) Development of a Communications or Public Outreach Campaign; 4) staffing an elected official/c-suite level/executive employee for a speech, interview, campaign, or press conference.
2. Please share a complex assignment or project you have been given. Describe the situation, the approach you took, and the ultimate outcome.
3. Please share a specific example of when you demonstrated a high level of creativity to complete a task, resolve a challenge, or improve an existing process.
