Community Relations Officer (Public Information Officer)

City of Camarillo; Camarillo (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Camarillo seeks a strategic Public Information Officer to lead city communications, shaping messaging and programs across press, website, social media and public channels.

Reporting to the City Manager and working with department directors, you will develop a comprehensive communications strategy, provide guidance on public messaging, and translate complex topics for diverse audiences in English and Spanish when needed.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, political science, public policy, public administration, or related field. A Master’s degree is desirable.
• Experience: Five years in public information/communications/journalism/public relations with leadership in programs or teams.
• Desirable: Local government or crisis communications experience; English/Spanish proficiency is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all City communications and ensure transparent, timely information across platforms.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy with City leadership.
• Act as official spokesperson, prepare press materials, coordinate press events, and manage messaging.

Skills

Public speaking

Strong writing

Strategic communication

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, political science, public policy, public administration, or related field

Master's degree desirable

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Databases

Job description

ABOUT THE CITY

Nestled in the heart of Ventura County, just minutes from California's scenic coastline, Camarillo offers a unique blend of small-town charm, a vibrant community spirit, and an exceptional quality of life as a forward-thinking and innovative local government, we are dedicated to delivering outstanding service while fostering a dynamic, empowered workforce that reflects the high standard to the community we serve.

THE POSITION

The Public Information Officer will oversee all City communications, performing technical communications tasks necessary to deliver transparent, accurate, timely and cohesive information to the public over a variety of public communications platforms, and in accordance with City Council policy.

The City of Camarillo is seeking a strategic, creative, collaborative communications professional with experience in public communications to join its Management Team. The ideal candidate will combine strong judgment and critical thinking with excellent writing, editing, and public speaking skills and a commitment to providing transparent, accurate, timely, and cohesive information about City services, policies, programs, and priorities. Working closely with the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and Department Directors, the successful candidate will develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy, advise City leadership on public messaging, and translate complex or sensitive topics into clear, accessible information for diverse audiences. This individual will be comfortable both leading communications efforts and personally creating content for the City’s website, social media, newsletters, government television channel, news releases, and other communications platforms.

The Public Information Officer acts as the City’s official spokesperson with the media and must be well-versed in composing and distributing press releases and coordinating press conferences and media events. This position represents the City before the news media, public and private sector officials on a variety of issues that impact the City’s public awareness and education programs; speak at workshops, panel discussions and other events. This position performs complex, responsible, and varied professional duties. Incumbents are assigned and expected to independently complete the most complex and difficult analytical work on assignments having greater impact on departmental operations. Duties may include planning, coordinating, implementing, promoting, and overseeing programs, projects, and initiatives. The Public Information Officer provides guidance to City staff on messaging and communications standards and may supervise assigned professional, technical, or support staff. Fluency in English and Spanish is desirable.

Education and Experience:

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in communications, journalism, political science, public policy, public administration, or related field. A Master's degree is desirable.

Experience: Five years of progressively responsible professional experience in public information, communications, journalism, public relations, or community engagement, including two years leading communications programs, projects, cross-department teams, assigned staff, or contractors in the public or private sector.

Desirable qualifications: Local government or other public agency experience. Experience with crisis communications, community engagement, and communications measurements. Ability to communicate effectively in English and Spanish is desirable.

Knowledge of

• Principles, trends, methods, and techniques used in community relations, public information, and program education and promotion in a municipal government environment
• Organization and operation of municipal government and special districts, including the unique functions of the City of Camarillo and its nature as a "contract city" operating in cooperation with other special districts serving the same constituents
• Federal, State and local laws, rules, and regulations governing the disclosure of information by a public agency
• Communications theory and the effective explanation of complicated concepts to a general audience
• Emergency Operations Center functions and practices
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases
• Principles of business letter writing
• Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis
• Principles and practices of public administration including working with elected and appointed officials
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Principles and practices of contract and procurement management

Ability to:

• Develop and implement comprehensive public information programs utilizing various forms of media
• Gather, assess, simplify and summarize information for public distribution
• Effectively utilize current and trending social media tools and applications
• Prepare comprehensive reports, correspondence, press releases, information and promotion packages and news articles
• Manage a variety of complex and challenging projects simultaneously to completion
• Exercise judgment, initiative, decisiveness, and creativity necessary in situations involving the direction, control and planning of multiple programs, and in critical or unexpected situations involving considerable risk or loss to the City
• Establish and maintain effective professional relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Communicate and interact effectively, persuasively, tactfully, positively both verbally and in writing with the public, media representatives, City staff, elected officials, and with other public agencies serving Camarillo residents and businesses, including California State University Channel Islands
• Operate a variety of office equipment including computers and associated word processing applications
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, and City policies affecting public information, and recommend procedures that support compliance.

• Identify and respond to community and organizational issues, concerns, and needs
• Work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone and in personExercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality in maintaining critical and sensitive information, records, and reports
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public
• Maintain a professional demeanor and appearance in order to effectively represent the City of Camarillo
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Analyze a variety of complex administrative problems and make sound policy and procedural recommendations
• Provide functional direction and feedback on communications work and, when assigned, supervise and evaluate staff.

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting; some travel to other locations to attend meetings.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPORTUNITY (EEO)

The City of Camarillo is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, or other factors. We believe in fostering an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected and empowered.

Disaster Services Assignments

As public employees, we play an enhanced role in the event of a disaster or other emergency in our community. You will be registered as a disaster services worker, and you will be issued a disaster services identification card. In the event of a disaster or other emergency, make sure that your family is safe and secure first, then report to your assigned emergency location. Temporary employees generally do not receive disaster services assignments.