Communication Specialist

The City of Salinas invites qualified candidates to apply for the Communication Specialist opportunity.

Tentative dates:

• Exam tentatively scheduled for the week of November 9, 2026
• Department interviews tentatively scheduled for the week of November 16, 2026

Summary of Duties: To assist the Community Relations Manager in developing, implementing, coordinating, and communicating information about the City to the media, members of the City Council, public and City staff.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Communications Specialist is a single-position classification that performs a wide range of complex administrative and technical duties specific to the Administrative Office of the City Manager. This class requires the frequent use of discretion, initiative, and independent judgment. Responsibilities include contact with governmental officials, the City Council, commission members, representatives of business or community organizations, the public, and all levels of City staff.

**Supervision Received:**Receives general supervision from the Community Relations Manager or City Manager designee. Exercises no supervision.

Essential Job Functions

• Reviews, coordinates, creates, oversees, and implements a wide variety of public information and media projects within the communications, promotions, and public relations arena, including programs or messages for City employees

• Assists the Community Relations Manager in the day-to-day functions of the division

• Leads, prepares and set-up coordination of events, such as press conferences, community meetings and video staging, as directed

• Works with department staff to develop multi-faceted communication plans

• Drafts, edits, reviews, and obtains approvals for internal and external communication documents

• Writes and reviews content for news releases, newsletters, City intranet and internet, websites, broadcast media scripts, and presentations as directed

• Prepares public information releases, articles, and press kits for distribution to the public or to City employees on subjects that are sensitive or complex

• Establishes and maintains professional relationships and open lines of communication with community groups, department managers and other key stakeholders

• Ensures that City messages, images, and video are appropriately conveyed to the public and employees utilizing best practices in mass communication and exercising discretion and sound judgement

• Works with City staff to establish goals for positive, important, and time sensitive information releases from the City, including working with various agencies

• Tracks content performance and consults with Community Relations Manager on progress of content and campaign goals

• Independently conducts informational research, assembles relevant information and data, and provides recommendations to the Community Relations Manager

• Compiles and completes data for administrative and public reports, bulletins, and other documents

• Works with limited supervision and makes decisions involving the release and format of sensitive, strategic, and confidential information

• Designs and maintains effective content for the City’s social media, website, and e-newsletters, including videos and reels, to increase awareness and build affinity to grow the City’s audience and reach across platforms

• Lead and support staff trainings

• Serve in the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) as a disaster service worker

• Transport self to meetings, trainings, special events and occasional field work

• Performs other related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles, techniques, and methods of effective public information, community outreach, marketing, and branding
• Principles and practices of effective graphic design and illustration methods and materials for programs, campaigns, and information
• Photography and/or videography and the operation of camera equipment and digital editing software
• Presentation skills in dealing with groups of various sizes and demographics
• Social media management, trends, and tools
• Effective writing techniques for various content types such as social media, articles, scripts, speeches, and the internet
• English grammar, editing, research, and creative writing skills
• Technological advances in communications (e.g., social media, web, digital media, photography, video, etc.)
• Project management
• Principles and practices of ADA standards in communications
• Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, and report preparation

Ability to:

• Compose information releases and feature articles for all communications platforms
• Produce work product using computer, mobile device, graphic design and/or video editing software, and audio-visual equipment
• Complete assignments within strict time constraints
• Create and edit compelling content for presentations
• Draft, review, edit, obtain approvals, and produce internal and external communication documents
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Effectively communicate in oral and written form
• Establish effective working relationships with management, employees, employee representatives and the public representing diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with City staff, the public and representatives from outside agencies
• Treat City employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public with courtesy and respect
• Communicate effectively with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds and function calmly in situations which require a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy
• Assess customers’ immediate needs and ensure customers’ receipt of needed services through personal service or making appropriate referral
• Provide prompt, efficient, and responsive service
• Exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information; analyze and project consequences of decisions and/or recommendations
• Effectively analyze large amounts of detailed and complex information, to develop sound communications and public relations recommendations and workable alternatives

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in communications, journalism, marketing, public administration, or a closely related field and two (2) years of professional experience in communications, community engagement, or public relations. Experience in writing press releases and organizing press conferences is highly desired.

Associate degree from an accredited college or university, or two (2) years (60 semester units) of college level course work from an accredited college or university in communications, journalism, marketing, public administration, or a closely related field and four (4) years of professional experience in communications, community engagement, or public relations. Experience in writing press releases and organizing press conferences is highly desired.

(Proof of education must be submitted at time of employment application. Copies of unofficial transcripts or degrees will be accepted.)

Licenses and Certifications: A valid State of California Driver’s License.

Must provide proof of completion of FEMA’s Public Information Basics (L0105) and the City’s social media training within six (6) months of employment.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: This is a primarily sedentary position that works in a standard office environment. Incumbent will be required to visit various facilities and provide regular fieldwork. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Positions in this classification will need to have physical agility to bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to twenty-five pounds.

Employees primarily work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. Subject to a variety of schedules which include a standard forty (40) hour work week plus regular evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Employee must complete SB 1343 Sexual Harassment Prevention Training within six months of appointment and every two years thereafter.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills which may be required.

Veteran’s Preference: A veteran is defined in accordance with California Government Code 18540.4. In order to exercise this preference, the veteran must submit the City’s Veteran’s Preference Application and provide a copy of the DD-214 form at time of application as proof of military status. Failure to submit the required forms will be deemed a waiver of veteran's preference. Military veterans shall be given preference in initial appointment to City service. Further details can be obtained from the Human Resources Department, at 831-758-7254.

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all City of Salinas employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

Selection Process: Applicants’ qualifications will be evaluated based on the information provided on the employment application. The exam process may consist of an application appraisal, oral interview, assessment center and/or written exam. The City reserves the right to use alternate testing procedures if deemed necessary. CITY COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE SELECTION PROCESS WILL BE VIA E-MAIL. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE E-MAIL ON YOUR APPLICATION.Finalist interview/assessment will be held with the City of Salinas.

Oral Board Interview FAQ - Applicants who are invited to the oral board interview or have questions on what to expect during an oral board interview, are encouraged to review the City of Salinas Tips for a Sucessful Oral Board .

Equal Opportunity Employer: The City of Salinas does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor. The City of Salinas makes reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with a disability. Individuals requiring any accommodation in order to participate in the testing process must inform the Human Resources Director in writing no later than the final filing date stated in this job announcement. Requests for accommodation should include an explanation of the type and extent of accommodations needed to participate in the selection process and/or to perform the duties of the job for which they have applied. EEO Utilization Report is available for candidate review upon request.

Salary Steps: The following applies for Full-Time Regular positions only. Appointments are normally made at the first step. Consideration is given for increase to the second step after successful completion of the probationary period. (Employees appointed at a higher step will be eligible for consideration for the next step after one year, providing they successfully complete a probationary period.)