Communications Officer I (AFSCME)

BART; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 119,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

BART is seeking a Communications Officer I to support its Media Relations team in a fast-paced public information environment. The role focuses on delivering clear, timely content for news releases, passenger bulletins, and social media, while coordinating with reporters and internal staff.

Responsibilities include responding to media inquiries, managing crisis communications, and ensuring accurate information dissemination during service changes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, or a closely related field is required.
• Minimum one year of full-time professional public information or newsroom experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and disseminate news releases, social posts, and passenger communications under tight deadlines.
• Respond to media inquiries with factual information and background materials.
• Support crisis communications with timely, accurate updates.
• Develop relationships with reporters and district staff to enhance press coverage.
• Monitor and post content across the District’s digital channels during service disruptions.

Skills

News writing

Media relations

Crisis communications

Social media management

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, or related field

Tools

CMS

Social media platforms

Media monitoring tools

Job description

Marketing Statement

Ride BART to a satisfying career that lets you both: 1) make a difference to Bay Area residents, and 2) enjoy excellent pay, benefits, and employment stability. BART is looking for people who like to be challenged, work in a fast-paced environment, and have a passion for connecting riders to work, school and other places they need to go. BART offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, paid time off, and the CalPERS retirement program.

Job Summary

AFSCME Pay Grade 10

$119,184.00/year (Minimum/Step 1) - $144,892.80/year (Maximum/Step 5)

Note: The negotiable salary offer will be commensurate with education and experience.

Reports To

Manager of Media Relations

Days Off

Saturday/Sunday

Who May Apply

All current BART employees and future BART employees

Current Assignment

The Communications Officer I position supports BART's Media Relations team within a fast-paced, high-visibility public communications environment. This position plays a central role in keeping over 200,000 average daily riders and the broader Bay Area public informed about service changes, safety initiatives, capital projects, and District programs.

Current operational priorities for this position include supporting communications around BART's ongoing fleet modernization and station modernization projects, contributing to real-time passenger communications during service disruptions, and assisting with public information efforts tied to safety and security initiatives across the system. This position also supports the District's continued growth in digital and social media engagement, helping to expand reach and responsiveness across multiple platforms during both routine operations and emergent situations.

This position requires availability for on-call rotation and off-hours response, as service disruptions and newsworthy events often occur outside standard business hours. Successful performance in this assignment requires the ability to synthesize complex, technical, or sensitive information into clear, accurate, and timely public-facing content under deadline pressure.

The Most Qualified Candidates For This Position Will Have Highly Developed Competencies In The Following Areas, Which Will Be Reinforced With Related Work Experience And Will Be Articulated During The Selection Process.

• Writing clear, accurate, and engaging content for news releases, social media, and passenger communications under tight deadlines


• Responding professionally and efficiently to media inquiries, including gathering facts, coordinating interviews, and preparing background materials


• Applying sound judgment to identify and prioritize newsworthy information


• Using content management systems, social media platforms, and media monitoring tools effectively


• Maintaining composure and accuracy while communicating during crisis or service disruption events


• Building and maintaining effective working relationships with reporters, District staff, and the public

Examples of Duties

• Under daily, time-sensitive deadlines, prepares written, digital, and multimedia content that highlights District plans, activities, and programs; disseminates information to the news media and general public through press releases, social media posts, passenger bulletins and news articles.


• Assists in responding to media inquiries by gathering information, preparing background materials, and providing factual information under established guidelines.


• Supports crisis communications by gathering information, writing news releases, and assisting with public outreach.


• Participates in planning events with other District staff; contacts media in order to ensure participation; attends event and provides staff support.


• Participates in after-hours on-call rotation to respond to media inquiries about service disruptions and other newsworthy events that occur outside of the hours of 9am-5pm.


• Posts content on the District’s social media channels regarding service disruptions and other newsworthy events.


• Writes and develops content for the District’s social media channels.


• Assists in developing website content, multimedia content, passenger communications, and social media content; and edits news articles as assigned.


• Assists with maintaining media contact list, including bilingual news outlets; and develops relationships with reporters who cover District news.


• Attends Board of Directors and other public meetings at BART facilities and may be assigned to assist with audio/visual needs for those meetings on an as-needed basis.


• Contributes creative public outreach ideas to advance District priorities.

Education

A Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.

Minimum Qualifications

The equivalent of one (1) year of full-time professional experience in a public information program or working in a professional newsroom as a reporter, producer, or editor responsible for writing, editing, and preparing creative content.

Substitution

Additional professional experience as outlined above may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.

Other Requirements

• Must possess a valid California driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.


• Required to work off-shift hours and on-call, including on holidays and weekends, and be able to travel within the local area.

Knowledge And Skills

Knowledge of:

• Methods and techniques of journalism, copy writing, script writing, and editing.


• News value and an understanding of what makes something newsworthy.


• Operational procedures of television, radio and print news media.


• Principles of digital communications and social media engagement.


• Content management systems and web publishing tools.


• Media monitoring and social media analytics tools.


• Principles and practices of public speaking.


• Current office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and word processing and spreadsheet applications.


• Basic knowledge of social media platforms.


• Methods and techniques of researching and verifying data and information.


• Principles and practices for writing clear and concise content.


• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.


• Digital media center operations.


• Related Federal, State and local codes, laws, and regulations.

Skill In

• Developing and delivering public information materials.


• Writing clear and concise content for public information purposes.


• Performing under the pressure of consistent deadlines.


• Monitoring media coverage and public sentiment.


• Using digital communication platforms and content management systems.


• Skill in digital media, including the ability to learn operating switching equipment.


• Responding to requests and inquiries from news reporters.


• Preparing, editing, and proofreading written materials.


• Working independently in the absence of supervision.


• Researching and analyzing materials.


• Typing at a speed necessary for successful job performance.


• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 and above), religion, national origin (including language use restrictions), disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, marital status, military status, veteran status, medical condition (cancer/genetic characteristics and information), or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

The BART Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities or for religious reasons. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any special needs in advance of the examination by emailing at least 5 days before your examination date at [e-mail].

Qualified veterans may be eligible to obtain additional veteran's credit in the selection process for this recruitment (effective Jan. 1, 2013). To obtain the credit, veterans must attach to the application a DD214 discharge document or proof of disability and complete/submit the Veteran's Preference Application no later than the closing date of the posting. For more information about this credit please go to the Veteran's Preference Policy and Application link at www.bart.gov/jobs.