Communications Specialist

City of Pasadena; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Pasadena's Water and Power Department is seeking a Communications Specialist to support marketing, social media, and digital engagement strategies for the utility. The role involves creating graphics and written content, managing websites and posts, and coordinating educational partnerships and community events.

The ideal candidate will have strong writing, presentation, and coordination skills, with experience in public communications within a municipal setting.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in marketing, public relations, communications, business administration or closely related field.
• At least four years of progressively responsible professional experience in marketing, public relations or social media; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Strong writing and communication skills for public information materials and presentations.
• Experience with graphic design, video production, and managing website and social media content is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Represents the department in public interactions and writes/edits informational material.
• Develops and creates graphic materials including infographics, videos, website content and social posts.
• Manages website and social media content, posts, and audience interactions.
• Assists in developing presentations and public information materials.
• Takes photos and video and edits them for department use.
• Collects data for reports on communication activities.
• Coordinates printing/graphic material procurement and budgeting for projects.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Skills

Writing

Oral Communication

Presentation Skills

Attention to Detail

Involving Others

Informing

Action & Results Focus

Education

Associate degree in marketing, public relations, communications, business administration or closely related field

Tools

Graphic design tools (e.g., Photoshop)

Video production/editing software

Website CMS (e.g., WordPress)

Job description

The Pasadena Water and Power Department is seeking a Communications Specialist to support and implement marketing, social media, and interactive communication strategies for the utility. This role involves a range of paraprofessional responsibilities, ranging from routine to complex, in the development and execution of community relations programs, outreach and educational initiatives, and digital engagement efforts. The selected candidate will play a key role in advancing the department’s communications efforts. Responsibilities include assisting with the creation and execution of marketing campaigns and materials including graphics and written content, such as news releases, social media and webpage content development and management, planning and attending special events, coordinating educational partnerships with local schools, and performing related duties as assigned.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will support the External Affairs Division in content creation, event production, and community outreach, while helping implement citywide communications policies and initiatives. This individual is detail-oriented, performs well under pressure, and exercises discretion when handling sensitive information. Strong writing and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to contribute to marketing, social media, and digital engagement strategies. The Communications Specialist will represent the utility in public settings, serve as a liaison, and apply sound professional judgment in all interactions. The Communications Specialist does regularly work evenings and weekends representing the utility at various community events (typically 2-3 events per month).

The following list represents some of the essential functions for this position. For more detailed information, please refer to the job description.

• Represents the department in a wide variety of public interactions; serves as department liaison with civic and community organizations; answers questions and provides information to individuals and customer groups. Writes, edits, and publishes informational material in print and digital formats for the public, community groups and employees.
• Develops and creates graphic materials, including but not limited to infographics, short-form videos, website content, social media posts, newsletters, flyers, brochures, visual displays, signs, advertisements, forms, reports, charts, maps and other printed/graphic materials.
• Helps manage website and social media content, including publishing and updating posted materials, responding to comments and messages, and ensuring accuracy of content.
• Assists in developing and making presentations and public information materials.
• Takes photos and video on behalf of the Department, and edits photos and video.
• Collects data and information for reports and statistics regarding communication activities.
• Coordinates the purchasing, storage, inventorying and distribution of printed/graphic materials and promotional products; obtains vendor quotes; adheres to budgets and deadlines for all projects.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

The following list presents some of the core competencies for this position.

• Action & Results Focus- Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment.
• Attention to Detail- Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.
• Informing- Proactively obtaining and sharing information.
• Oral Communication- Engaging effectively in dialogue.
• Presentation Skills- Formally delivering information to groups.
• Writing- Communicating effectively in writing.
• Involving Others- Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from a (2) two-year college with an associate's degree in marketing, public relations, communications, business administration or a closely related field,and
• At least (4) four years of progressively responsible professional experience in marketing, public relations or social media; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with copying, editing, photography, graphic design, video production, and website and social media content management and analytics is preferred.
• Experience in a public agency is preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish is desirable.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process may consist of a training and experience evaluation, written or other practical exercise, a structured interview, and/or a department-level interview.

VACANCY INFORMATION

There is currently (1) one vacancy in the Water and Power Department- External Affairs division. The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill this vacancy and similar vacancies in the future.

Candidates selected for this position are subject to a one-year probationary work period.

Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license and comply with the City's Motor Vehicle Safety Policy during the course of employment.

This position may be required to work some evenings and weekends as needed.