Salary: $69,596.80 – $92,414.40 Annually
Location : County of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Regular – Full time
Job Number: 23245106
Department: County Communications Office
Division: County Communications Office
Opening Date: 06/29/2023
Closing Date: 7/10/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Summary
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Are you an strategic excellent communicator with a passion for public service? We’re looking for someone to join our team as a Communications Specialist.
Interviews are expected to be during the week of August 7, 2023 and job offers the week of August 14, 2023. The department will reach out to candidates to invite them to participate in an interview.
The person in this position must be an exceptional writer and strategic thinker who is able to collect and analyze complex information to create clear and engaging communications for the community and County employees. They will be able to use their big-picture knowledge to create outcome-focused communications strategies that enhance community engagement and supports the County’s operations, mission, vision and values. We are looking for someone who understands reputation management and the intersection of community engagement and communications. They will be someone who proactively stays on top of trends and best practices in communications, public affairs and engagement communication to find the best ways to reach diverse audiences while emphasizing access, belonging and inclusion. The ideal candidates must be familiar with content creation for various platforms and communications methods (print, web and video) and should have experience developing messages for social media. Skills should include experience in outreach campaign development, media relations, crisis communications, corporate communications, such as reports and presentations, and employee communication. Web knowledge/experience is a significant plus. The strongest candidates will also be bilingual. Beyond the abovementioned, this position will also provide support during a disaster, working in the Joint Information Center of the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services to provide critical information to the public on various platforms.
HIRING TIMELINE AND DATES
- Interviews, Job Offers, and Background Process begins in August 2023. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
- Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
- Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.
If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, in communications, journalism, advertising, English, marketing or a closely related field; AND,
1. Three (3) years of full-time professional experience as a reporter or producer/director in an electronic or print news organization; OR
2. Three (3) years of full-time professional experience working in the field of public relations including conducting media presentations and writing news releases.
Note: Additional years of experience as described above may substitute for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.
ATTACHMENTS
For your education and/or certifications to be considered, you must attach a copy of your degree, transcripts, diploma, foreign equivalency report and/or certifications to your application. Required attachments submitted on or after February 29, 2008 do not need to be resubmitted. Please submit only the documents required. Additional documentation such as awards, letters of recommendation, unsolicited certifications, etc. will not be added to your application file.
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application Work History and/or supplemental questionnaire.
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT
As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Current County employees may be excluded from this process.
EVALUATION
Qualified applicants will be placed on a nine (9) month employment list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment application and supplemental application questionnaire. Please ensure all information is complete and accurate, as the responses you provide on the supplemental application questionnaire will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process, your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.
As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.
Veteran’s Preference PolicyThe County of San Diego offerspreferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego.
Military Skills Translator Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help!
The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of: a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Click here for more information on our as well as our commitment to serve everyone, to build a that will create a County that works for all.
Under California Government Code Sections 3100 – 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term “public employees” includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.
The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.
May
Click here to see the Management Benefits Summary (MGT)
01
Please be sure to answer the following questions in a thorough and complete manner, as your responses may be used to determine your overall score. Please do NOT indicate “See Resume” or “See Application” as these are not acceptable answers. Please note that if you are invited to a selection interview(s) by a department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification. Please also review the minimum qualifications for this position. If you do not meet the minimum qualifications, do not apply as your application will be rejected. Do you understand this information?
- Yes
- No
02
Do you possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, in communications, journalism, advertising, English, marketing or a closely related field?
- Yes
- No
- No, but I have additional years of experience that will substitute for the education requirement
03
In order for your education to be considered, you must attach a copy of your degree transcript(s), diploma(s), and/or foreign equivalency report(s) to your application. Have you attached a copy of your college degree diploma(s), transcript(s), and/or foreign equivalency report at the ATTACHMENTS section of this application?
- Yes
- No
- No, but I have previously submitted my degree information
04
Please select from the following the option that applies to your experience: Note: your experience must be verifiable in the employment section of your application
- I possess Three (3) years of full-time professional experience as a reporter or producer/director in an electronic or print news organization
- I possess Three (3) years of full-time professional experience working in the field of public relations including conducting media presentations and writing news releases.
- I do not posses any of the above experience
05
Please indicate if you have experience in any of the following: CHECK ALL THAT APPLYNote: In order to receive credit you will need to describe your experience for each area selected in the follow-up question
- Writing news releases or stories for internal and external audiences for a print news organization, news web site, government agency or corporation
- Pitching stories and events to media
- Updating and monitoring communication on social media websites
- Designing, updating and posting to webpages
- Creating integrated strategic communications plans
- Working in a communications/public relations/government affairs departments or public relations/affairs agency
- I do not have experience in any of the areas above
06
Please describe your experience for each area selected in the question above. Your experience must be verifiable in the employment history of your applicationIf you have no experience in the areas above, please indicate “N/A”.
07
Please attach recent work samples and/or a resume reel at the ATTACHMENTS section of this application. Did you attach this information?
- Yes
- No
08
How did you first hear about this job opportunity?
- GovernmentJobs.com
- Indeed.com
- County of San Diego ERG groups
- County employee, neighbors, friends
- Voice and Viewpoint
Required Question