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Public Information Officer

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Public Information Officer

Salary

$109,655.94 - $133,272.05 Annually

Location

West Sacramento, CA

Job Type

Regular Full Time

Job Number

2025-00083

Department

CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE

Opening Date

07/18/2025

Closing Date

8/15/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

MGMT

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

The ideal candidate will be an experienced, dynamic, and strategic Public Information Officer (PIO) who enjoys challenges and is ready to lead a citywide communications and public engagement strategy. The PIO reports to the Deputy City Manager, is a key member of the City’s Executive Team, and serves as the City’s spokesperson and media liaison, driving public engagement, emergency communication, and brand management across platforms. The PIO will lead a talented team of two full-time employees to craft and deliver the City's messaging, shaping how the organization communicates with residents, businesses, regional partners, and the media. The ideal candidate will be a skilled and collaborative communicator with strong public sector experience, capable of building trust, promoting transparency, and amplifying the City’s priorities through effective storytelling and strategic outreach.

In addition to being ethical, well-qualified, and experienced, the PIO must possess certain traits that will be essential for success, including:

• A leader and positive role model who demonstrates initiative, is action-oriented, exercises good judgment, treats others respectfully, and is open and approachable.

• A big-picture thinker who is well-rounded in all aspects of public agency communications and possesses a deep understanding of media relations, branding, crisis communications, digital outreach/social media, and community engagement efforts.

• An active problem solver who anticipates and responds to issues promptly, develops alternative solutions, and can achieve resolutions quickly.

• An outstanding manager of people who provides guidance and professional support to staff and offers regular feedback to employees, whose leadership style is centered around mentoring, coaching, and empowering.

Preference will be given to candidates with six years of increasingly responsible public relations or communications experience. Experience in a public sector organization and/or significant experience working with governing boards and elected officials is preferred.

Preference will also be given to candidates who possess a 4-year degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, public administration, or a closely related field. Candidates with strong verbal/written communication and leadership skills are preferred.

An official City of West Sacramento application form must be filled out in its entirety. It is the applicant's responsibility to explain their qualifications fully and clearly. In addition, applicants must submit a resume and complete the required supplemental questionnaire. Incomplete information on the application, resume, and/or supplemental questionnaire may be cause for disqualification. Application packages will be reviewed and screened for qualifications. Additional screening criteria will be developed based on the supplemental questionnaire. Depending upon the number of qualified candidates, an oral panel interview may or may not be held. The top candidates will be referred to the Deputy City Manager for further consideration.

DEFINITION: The Public Information Officer develops, organizes, directs, and evaluates a comprehensive communications program for the City and acts as a media relations liaison. The Public Information Officer is an “at will” position and is appointed by and sits at the pleasure of the City Manager.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: Receives general direction and supervision from the Deputy City Manager or their designee. May exercise direct supervision over assigned subordinate staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS: This is a single management level classification that reports to the Deputy City Manager or their designee and is responsible for maintaining contact and open channels of communication with City officials, media, and the public regarding operations and objectives of City government.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Illustrative Only): Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

+ Organizes and executes communication activities to foster public understanding of the City’s goals, accomplishments, policies, programs, and services.

+ Acts as the City’s Public Information Officer; serves as media advisor to the City Council and staff, providing guidance on effective communication practices.

+ Works with City strategic communications consultants to plan and execute short- and long-range strategic communications efforts.

+ Serves as spokesperson for the City; provides written statements or appears for interviews in response to media inquiries; coaches and supports elected officials and staff members when circumstances dictate that they must speak directly to the media.

+ Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with the media; maintain media contact list; communicates and interacts skillfully with the news media to provide regular and relevant information about the City.

+ Serves as public information chief in the event of an emergency; collaborate with public information officers from public safety agencies to assure the timely and organized dissemination of information to the public during emergencies; support Joint Information Center when requested by the Yolo County Office of Emergency services.

+ Coordinates and develops regional and community partnerships to promote the City’s interests and messaging.

+ Plans, organizes, and implements effective use of social media tools to communicate the City’s message to the public, including video and audio production; coordinates and trains all departments regarding social media use.

+ Oversees Citywide brand management, digital and print, for online and marketing materials, set design and communications standards; conducts brand audits of work produced by City employees; provides branding guidelines and training.

+ Develops and implements performance measurement techniques to continually assess and improve the effectiveness of City communications

+ Participates in budget preparation and administration for City communications efforts; prepares cost estimates for budget recommendations; submits justifications for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and controls expenditures.

+ Develops materials to be presented in press announcements, including press releases, press briefings, and feature articles on various city services.

+ Oversees the City’s graphics services function, including photography, audiovisual presentations, and city publications, including logos, posters, and flyers.

+ Coordinates and conducts news conferences and other special events, including groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, and other city/community functions.

+ Develops and implements methods and materials to promote special events sponsored by the city or its departments.

+ Prepares proclamations and other ceremonial documents for use in City or City-supported events;

+ Manages the City’s website to ensure that it is a user-friendly communications tool featuring content that is accurate, up to date, legally compliant, and readily accessible to the public.

+ Maintains effective relationships with civic, corporate, business, and educational organizations, community organizations, and the public.

+ Assists with review of the City newsletters and annual reports.

+ Provides support services for the Mayor and City Council as directed by the City Manager.

+ Represents the city in interdepartmental, community, and professional meetings.

+ Supervises Community Relations staff under direction from the Deputy City Manager.

+ Performs other related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and skill. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be:

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, public administration, or closely related field.

Experience: Six (6) years of increasingly responsible public relations or communications experience. Experience in a public sector organization and/or significant experience working with governing boards and elected officials is preferred.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES: If required to drive, possession and maintenance of a valid California driver’s license. For positions where ability to drive is not an essential function, the employee must be able to arrange reliable and timely transportation through private or public transportation for attendance at work, off-site meetings, events, and trainings.

WORKING CONDITIONS: May be required to staff City Council and other off-hour meetings; may travel from site to site; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; and travel to attend a variety of meetings.

An applicant who qualifies for veterans’ preference and successfully places on an eligibility list for initial entrance into employment with the city shall be advanced one rank on the final eligibility list. Where there are five (5) or less qualified applicants, no veterans’ preference shall apply and all applicants shall be placed on the certification list forwarded to the departments for hiring consideration. The exercise of veterans’ preference shall be exhausted upon appointment to a regular position from an eligibility list.

An official City of West Sacramento application form must be filled out, in its entirety. It is the applicant's responsibility to explain their qualifications fully and clearly. In addition, applicants must submit a resume and complete the required supplemental questionnaire (if applicable). Incomplete information on the application, resume and/or supplemental questionnaire may be cause for disqualification. Application packages will be reviewed and screened for qualifications. Additional screening criteria will be developed based on the supplemental questionnaire (if applicable).

Join the City of West Sacramento and unlock a world of exceptional benefits! We invite you to explore our comprehensive benefits package, tailored to support your well-being and professional growth. Click the link below to access a detailed summary of the rich benefits offered for your desired position. At the City of West Sacramento, we go above and beyond to show our appreciation for our dedicated employees.

Our benefits package includes not just the essentials, but also unique perks that set us apart. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with pet insurance for your furry family members. Stay fit and healthy with our discounted gym memberships. Take advantage of our voluntary benefits that allow you to customize your coverage to fit your lifestyle. And when life gets challenging, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Concern is here to support you with confidential counseling, work-life resources, and 24/7 support for personal and professional matters.

By joining our team, you're not just starting a job – you're embarking on a rewarding career path in a supportive and inclusive environment. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects our commitment to attracting and retaining top talent. Experience the difference of working for an employer who truly values your contributions and well-being. Discover why the City of West Sacramento is the ideal place to grow your career and enrich your life. Click below to learn more about the benefits waiting for you!

Management Benefit Summary (https://public.powerdms.com/WestSacramento/documents/1969238)

01

To be considered for the position, all candidates are to complete and submit the required supplemental questionnaire with their application and resume. Failure to submit the completed supplemental questionnaire and application and resume will disqualify you from further consideration in the selection process used to fill this position. Please be concise and limit your responses to no more than one-half (1/2) page per question. The answers to the questions below will be evaluated along with the information provided in your employment application. Therefore, your answers must be consistent with your employment application information (especially in the "education" and "work experience" sections), must be unambiguous, and must contain sufficient but concise detail and organization to facilitate the screening process. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of completing the supplemental questionnaire. Lack of clarity, incomplete or inconsistent information, and/or disorganized presentation will negatively affect your evaluation. Do you understand these directions?

+ Yes

+ No

02

Describe your experience developing and implementing public information and/or communications strategies, particularly for public agencies or elected officials.

03

Describe your experience working with media outlets, including writing press releases and coordinating interviews or press conferences. Include any experience acting as a spokesperson.

04

What is your experience using digital tools (e.g., social media platforms, content management systems, graphic design software) to support public information goals?

05

Do you possess at least six (6) years of increasingly responsible public relations or communications experience?

+ Yes

+ No

06

Do you possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, public administration, or closely related field. ?

+ Yes

+ No

07

I certify that the statements made in this Supplemental Questionnaire are true, complete, and correct to the best of my knowledge and are made in good faith by me. I understand that any misrepresentation and/or falsification of my answers may result in my application being ineligible for this recruitment process.

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

City of West Sacramento

Address

1110 West Capitol Ave 3rd Floor West Sacramento, California, 95691

Phone

(916) 617-4567

Website

http://www.cityofwestsacramento.org

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