Public Affairs Staff Specialist

County of Orange; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Orange – Public Affairs Division is seeking a Staff Specialist to manage California Public Records Act requests, work with department staff to locate and review records, and ensure timely responses. The role develops and implements Public Affairs projects, coordinates with multiple stakeholders, and supports communications initiatives at John Wayne Airport.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years in public records, strong analytical skills, and proficiency with NextRequest.

Qualifications

• At least three years of progressively responsible experience in public records administration, records management, communications, and project coordination.
• Candidates should demonstrate experience researching and analyzing information, preparing written correspondence, and coordinating with multiple stakeholders to meet deadlines.
• Advanced proficiency in using NextRequest for managing records requests.

Responsibilities

• Receive, complete, and post internal requests for the JWA intranet and external website
• Update online forms, templates, policies, and procedures
• Maintain the Airport’s digital photo library
• Coordinate the speaker bureau program, including calendar tracking, requests, deadlines, and event logistics
• Track Public Affairs invoices and budget
• Maintain mailing lists and emergency phone lists
• Provide backup for collecting and posting daily news clips
• Obtain Airport Director signatures on outgoing correspondence

Skills

Public records

Records management

Communications

Project coordination

NextRequest

Microsoft Teams

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Tools

NextRequest

Microsoft Teams

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF SPECIALIST

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment will establish an open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Staff Specialist positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Monday, November 30, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. (PST).

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT

With consistently Award Winning guest experience, John Wayne Airport (JWA) has been a major cornerstone of Orange County for more than 100 years. Located in beautiful Southern California, we currently serve approximately 11.7 million annual passengers. We strive to provide a superior guest experience to ensure travel is convenient and stress-free. The County of Orange owns and operates the airport, and the service area includes more than three million people within 34 cities and unincorporated areas of Orange County and beyond. As a medium-hub airport, we offer commercial flights to more than 40 nonstop destinations in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Eleven commercial airlines and two air cargo airlines fly out of the Airport. It is home to nearly 500 general aviation (private, non-commercial) aircraft, representing 60% of total operations, and includes two full-service fixed base operators and one limited-use general aviation facility.

• Mission:ConnectingPeople, Places and Opportunities.
• Vision:To be an airport of choice by creating exceptional experiences.
• Core Values: REACH
  • Respect
  • Environmental Stewardship
  • Accountability
  • Collaboration
  • Honesty

PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION

Public Affairs staff are charged with responding to media and public inquiries; serving as front-line customer service agents; coordinating Ambassador volunteer programs; planning and organizing museum-quality exhibitions; disbursing information via the Airport website; enforcing the Settlement Agreement; educating the surrounding communities about access and noise issues and handling noise complaints. The division is comprised of four units: Access and Noise, Communications, Customer Relations, and Public Relations.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Public Affairs Staff Specialist performs analytical tasks on behalf of the Custodian of Records and manages and responds to California Public Records Act (PRA) requests from members of the public and the media. The position works with department staff to locate and identify responsive records, review records for completeness, and consult with County Counsel, the Custodian of Records, and Executive Management to ensure responses meet statutory deadlines.

The position also independently creates and implements Public Affairs projects and initiatives, including developing approaches, gathering data, conducting analyses, identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and recommending solutions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Receiving, completing, and posting internal requests for the JWA intranet and external website
• Updating online forms, templates, policies, and procedures
• Maintaining the Airport’s digital photo library
• Coordinating the speaker bureau program, including:
  • Maintaining a master calendar and tracking requests and deadlines
  • Confirming speakers and communicating with requesting organizations
  • Coordinating presentation materials and supporting event logistics as necessary
• Tracking Public Affairs invoices and budget
• Maintaining and updating mailing lists, distribution lists, and emergency phone list badge cards
• Providing backup for collecting and posting daily news clips
• Obtaining Airport Director signatures on outgoing correspondence

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will have at least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in public records administration, records management, communications, and project coordination. Candidates must demonstrate experience conducting research and analysis, preparing written correspondence, managing competing deadlines, and coordinating with multiple stakeholders to achieve organizational objectives.

Applicants should also demonstrate advanced proficiency in using NextRequest for managing records requests.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Computer skills and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of various information systems, software, etc.
• Reviewing and tracking invoices and budgets
• Proper handling of confidential and sensitive information

Effective Communication

• Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, with all levels of management and the public pertaining to business and Public Records Act Requests

Interpersonal Skills

• Adapting to change and different processes quickly and positively
• Working collaboratively on a team to produce work products
• Providing the highest quality service to JWA employees and members of the public

Organization and Planning

• Coordinating with others in response to multiple, competing demands to ensure work is completed in a timely manner
• Maintaining a high level of commitment to handle multiple tasks and priorities, using available resources
• Setting high standards for quality work and responsiveness in providing administrative services
• Efficient use of the organization's resources
• Adjusting priorities to respond to pressing and changing demands

AIRPORT ACCESS REQUIREMENTS

Employees must clear a background check, which includes a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC), Transportation Security Administration (TSA) check, and Security Threat Assessment (STA) check. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Airport Access Badge with an Airport Driving Endorsement within ten (10) days of employment. Airport Access Badge must be maintained and renewed every year.

LICENSE REQUIRED

The successful candidate must obtain or possess, and maintain the following licenses:

• Valid California Driver's License, Class C or higher, by date of appointment
• Valid Airport Access Badge with an Airport Driving Endorsement within ten (10) days of employment

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all application materials to identify qualified applicants. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step and notified of all further procedures applicable to their status in the competition.

Application Screening | (Refer/Non-Refer)

Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants who meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)

The Structured Oral Interview is a timed assessment. Applicants will provide answers to job-related questions, which will be rated by a panel of subject-matter experts using standardized evaluation criteria. Only the most qualified candidates will move forward to the next step in the recruitment process or will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies. Based on the County's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Veterans Employment Preference

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The County of Orange is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should notify the recruiter listed on the job posting as soon as possible. Documentation supporting the accommodation request may be required.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account. NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply. Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with governmentjobs.com and ocgov.com. If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

Contact Information

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Michelle Bocicor at [e-mail] or [phone].

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.