Salary : $124,000.00 Annually
Location : City of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Unclassified
Job Number: U2382
Business Area: 1415 – Communications
Personnel Area: 1480 – Communications Department
Opening Date: 10/12/2023
Closing Date: 10/26/2023 5:00 PM Pacific
JOB INFORMATION
Under the direction of the Communications Department Director, the Homelessness and Housing Strategies Media Services Coordinator works directly with the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department, Mayor’s Office, other City departments and programs and outside agencies to coordinate and lead on communications strategies related to the City’s homelessness and housing plans and initiatives.
The mission of the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department is to prevent and end homelessness through person-centered, compassionate, and equitable services.
This position is on-site with occasional opportunities to work from home.
There’s no such thing as a “perfect” candidate. The City is looking for exceptional people who want to make a positive impact through their work, will serve their community proudly, and be excited to come to work every day. Education and experience studies have shown that people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every task listed in the job description. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications and we encourage you to apply if you are interested.
Key Areas of Responsibility:
- Develop a communications plan and oversee all communications campaigns on behalf of the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department and in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office and the Communications Department.
- Write and edit news releases, write, and produce videos, draft social media messages, develop newsletter content and write talking points.
- Collaborate with partners including the Housing Commission, Regional Task Force on Homelessness, County of San Diego, service providers and social services agencies.
- Manage content on the Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department website and consistently ensure information is accurate and up to date.
- Respond to inquiries and collaborate with news organizations to disseminate information.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in communications, English, journalism, public administration, policy, business management or a related field.
- Five (5) years of professional level public relations, media relations or journalism experience (any combination of education and experience that demonstrates these may be qualifying.)
- Excellent writing and copyediting skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to successfully interact with a wide variety of stakeholders.
- Knowledge of the societal and legal issues surrounding homelessness and the services available to people experiencing homelessness in San Diego.
- Demonstrated experience in successfully managing crisis communications and media relations.
- An understanding of the City’s organization, its functions and services and its strategic plan, combined with demonstration of the use of such understanding to establish programs and accomplish projects.
- Position requires work in the evenings, on weekends, and on holidays.
Desirable Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
- Knowledge of the political landscape in San Diego.
- Experience developing and leading successful outreach and educational campaigns in collaboration with stakeholders and partner organizations.
- Familiarity with the City’s organization, its functions and services and its strategic plan.
- Experience working with Constant Contact, social media platforms and web publishing tools; experience creating presentations for the public.
Benefits:
The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:
- , including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
- A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
- 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
- Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee’s first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
- Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
- Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
- Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
- Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
- Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
- Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
- City-paid life insurance.
For additional details, please review the or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924.
The Department:
The Communications Department provides information to educate and engage the public and City employees, effectively delivering accurate and consistent messages regarding City initiatives, programs, events, and services in coordination with City departments and the Mayor’s Office. Additionally, the Communications Department oversees the City’s responses to news media and Public Records Act requests; manages content for the City’s website and social media accounts; produces graphic design, printed materials, videos, and programming on CityTV. This programming includes coverage of news conferences, City Council and Committee meetings, and other public and community meetings. Finally, the Communications Department is responsible for internal communications to City employees through the City’s intranet, CityNet, employee notifications, videos, and the production of an employee newsletter.
The City:
With more than 1.4 million residents, the City of San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. The City of San Diego’s strong economy, diverse population, great educational institutions, unsurpassed quality of life, and world-renowned location make it the ideal place to work, live, and play. With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego has something to offer for everyone.
The City’s Mission, as stated in the is “Every day we serve our communities to make San Diego not just a fine city, but a great City.” The City’s Vision is “Opportunity in every neighborhood, excellent service for every San Diegan”.
As one of the region’s largest employers, the City of San Diego employs nearly 11,000 highly dedicated employees and has a combined Fiscal Year 2024 operating and capital budget of approximately $5 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the
Pre-Employment Requirements and Screening Process:
Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All the processes required by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Please refer to the for additional information. Nothing in this job posting constitutes or should be construed as part of an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego.
Application Instructions: Kindly adhere to the instructions provided in the “Selection/Application Process” section below, we regret to inform you that online applications will not be considered.
Selection/Application Process:To be considered for this position, you must submit the following items to the Human Resources Department at:
1) Resume;
2) Letter of Interest, highlighting your relevant work experience and qualifications for this position; and
3) List of three professional references.
NOTE(S):
- Attachments must be submitted in either PDF or Word Document format.
- Reference Recruitment Number U2382 in the Subject Line.
- Candidates are encouraged to apply promptly as interviews and selection may begin upon receipt of resumes from qualified individuals.
Following the closing date, resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview. If you have any questions, please email the City’s Human Resources Department at
The City of San Diego has an active Equal Opportunity/ADA Program for employment and vigorously supports diversity in the workplace.
City employees may be eligible to participate in a benefit program including holidays, vacations, savings and retirement plans, health programs, and other benefits.
Eligible City employees initially hired or assuming office on or after July 10, 2021, with the exception of Police Recruits participating in the City’s Police Academy, will participate in the City’s Defined Benefit Plan administered by the San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System (SDCERS).
Benefits may change due to employer-employee contract negotiations. To learn more about employee benefits, please check the or review the