Communications Specialist

City of Porterville (CA); Porterville (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Porterville (CA) seeks a seasoned communications leader to develop and manage citywide branding, marketing, and public information programs. You will ensure consistent messaging across departments and channels, shaping the City's public image and engagement with residents and partners.

You will oversee campaigns, content creation, media relations, digital presence, and community outreach, while supporting emergency communications and measuring impact through analytics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, Graphic Design, Digital Media, or a related field and 3 years of relevant experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Experience in a public agency is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and maintains citywide communication and branding strategies.
• Creates marketing campaigns to highlight City programs and assets.
• Produces news releases, newsletters, graphics, videos, and other content.
• Manages content for City website and social media; monitors engagement.
• Coordinates with departments to align messaging and campaigns.
• Designs and coordinates community engagement and public outreach.
• Acts as primary contact for media inquiries; prepares materials.
• Identifies opportunities to tell the City's story across channels.
• Supports emergency communications with timely information.
• Evaluates effectiveness using analytics and surveys.
• Performs related duties.

Skills

Strategic communications

Brand development

Public information

Media relations

Content creation

Social media management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, Graphic Design, Digital Media, or related field

Job description

• 1. Develops, implements, and maintains Citywide communication, marketing, and branding strategies that support the City's goals and priorities; establishes and promotes consistent messaging, visual identity, and brand standards across City departments, programs, facilities, and public-facing communications.
• 2. Develops marketing and promotional campaigns to highlight City programs, services, projects, events, economic and community development initiatives, community assets, infrastructure investments, accomplishments, and other activities that promote the City and strengthen its community identity.
• 3. Creates, designs, edits, and coordinates written, visual, and multimedia content, including news releases, newsletters, brochures, advertisements, graphics, photography, videos, presentations, informational materials, signage, and other digital and printed communications.
• 4. Develops and manages content for the City's website, social media platforms, and other digital communication channels to provide timely, accurate, accessible, and engaging information; monitors digital engagement and identifies opportunities to expand the City's reach and effectiveness.
• 5. Coordinates with City departments to identify communication and marketing needs and provides professional guidance and support for public education campaigns, promotional materials, presentations, special initiatives, and other communications to ensure consistency with Citywide messaging and brand standards.
• 6. Develops and coordinates community engagement and public outreach activities, including surveys, public information campaigns, community events, public meetings, and other opportunities to inform and engage residents, businesses, visitors, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• 7. Serves as a primary point of contact for routine media inquiries; prepares news releases, talking points, fact sheets, and official communications; coordinates responses with the City Manager, department directors, and appropriate staff; and develops and maintains professional relationships with news media.
• 8. Proactively identifies and develops opportunities to tell the City's story, promote community assets and accomplishments, and strengthen public awareness of City programs and investments through digital and traditional media, photography, video, publications, community partnerships, and other communication channels.
• 9. Supports emergency and crisis communications, including the preparation and dissemination of timely public information, emergency notifications, updates, and other communications in coordination with the City Manager, emergency management personnel, public safety agencies, City departments, and other appropriate agencies.
• 10. Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of City communication, marketing, branding, and engagement efforts using website analytics, social media metrics, surveys, community feedback, and other performance measures; stays informed of emerging communication and marketing practices and recommends strategies, technologies, and improvements to enhance the City's communication efforts.
• 11. Performs related duties as required and/or assigned.

Education/Experience

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, Graphic Design, Digital Media, or a related field, and three years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, marketing, public relations, graphic design, digital media, community relations, or a related field.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Experience in a public agency is desirable.

Knowledge of

Principles and practices of strategic communications, marketing, branding, public information, media relations, and community engagement; Brand development, marketing campaigns, audience identification, and message development; Social media, digital communications, website content management, and online engagement; Graphic design, photography, videography, multimedia production, and visual communications; Professional writing, editing, news writing, and development of content for diverse audiences and communication platforms; Community outreach, public engagement, event promotion, and stakeholder communications; Methods for evaluating communication and marketing effectiveness, including website analytics, social media metrics, surveys, and community feedback; Principles and practices of emergency and crisis communications; Applicable federal, state, and local laws and requirements related to public-sector communications, accessibility, copyright, records retention, and intellectual property; Organization and functions of municipal government; and Modern office practices, communication technologies, software applications, record keeping, report preparation, and presentation techniques.

Ability to

Develop and coordinate effective communication, marketing, branding, and public information programs; Create professional written, visual, digital, and multimedia content for diverse audiences; Maintain consistent City branding, messaging, and visual identity across communication platforms; Plan and coordinate marketing campaigns, community outreach, special events, and public engagement activities; Establish effective relationships with the media, community, City staff, partner agencies, and other stakeholders; Respond effectively to media and public inquiries, including during emergencies and sensitive situations; Exercise sound judgment, work independently and collaboratively, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines; and Communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally, both orally and in writing.

Special Requirements

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.