Please Note: This is a continuous recruitment. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. This recruitment may close at any time without prior notice.
The first review of applications will take place on June 10, 2026.

All applicants must also upload and attach a letter of interest and a resume to their application.

The first round of interviews is tentatively scheduled for May 13-15, 2026, with second round interviews tentatively scheduled for May 27, 2026.

DEFINITION

To plan, develop, direct, oversee, and implement a comprehensive communications and public relations program utilizing various forms of media; manage, create and oversee distribution of information to the public; conduct oral and written press briefings; perform a wide variety of marketing related duties including photography, graphic design, audio, visual, publications, and design branding; represent the City in governmental, community, and professional meetings; provide highly complex staff assistance to the City Manager and support City Departments in public relations, publicity, and messaging.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the City Manager. May exercise technical supervision over lower level administrative and support staff as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Develop, organize, and execute activity to implement a comprehensive communications and public relations program utilizing various forms of media; oversee distribution of information to the public.
Develop, produce, publish and or disseminate various communication and informational materials, including newsletters, brochures, factsheets, articles, multi-media presentations, correspondence, reports, speeches, and special position papers on City activities, programs and policies.
Oversee and manage the City’s graphics services function, including photography, audiovisual presentations, and city publications, including logos, posters, and flyers; set design and communications standards; conducts brand audits of work produced by City employees.
Manage and interface with the media including inquiries, crisis management, and emergencies, providing factual, clear, and vetted information that supports the City’s interests and enhances positive relations.
Conduct and organize press briefings; determine methods of presentation and distribution; researches, writes, edits, and issues press releases, media advisories, news articles, feature stories, and public service announcements.
Manages and routinely updates the City's social media accounts, such as Nextdoor, Facebook, X, Instagram, and Nixle.
Provide training and technical support to staff on marketing, advertising, writing, publicity, and communication strategies and policies to City Departments; provide branding guidelines and training.
Assist in the development and maintenance of the City's website; create and update web pages; write scripts and narrate videos for posting to website and digital media; provide guidance and oversight to other City departments regarding website and online content.
Promote City-sponsored community events, outreach, and educational activities and programs; act as a liaison and present to citizens, schools, and community groups to provide information and promoting a positive image of the City; schedule and provide public tours of the City.
Attend meetings of the Council, boards, commissions, and committees as required; serve on assigned committees, community groups, and task forces.
Coordinate and conducts news conferences and other special events, including groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, and other community functions as assigned.
Provides communication support services for the Mayor and City Council such as preparing speeches, addresses, presentation points, and advice on strategic delivery of information.
Participate in crisis management planning and assist with developing of crisis communication plan and written materials.
Prepare or review proclamations and other ceremonial documents for use in City or City-supported events;
Represent the City in governmental, community and professional meetings;Coordinate and develop regional and community partnerships to promote the City’s interests and messaging.
Respond to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen complaints.
Conduct community survey’s and analyze results; prepare written, illustrative, and statistical reports.
Develop narratives for grants by translating technical project data into compelling stories that demonstrate clear City and community benefits.
Conduct community engagement and public outreach through events, workshops, and town halls to strengthen support and competitively meet grant criteria and objectives.
Create visual justification including infographics, maps, and videos and other media for grant submissions.
Celebrating Success: Once a project is completed, the PIO organizes "Ground-Breaking" or "Ribbon-Cutting" ceremonies that thank the grantors publicly, strengthening relationships for the next funding cycle.
Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the office.
Develop and standardize procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures.
Develop a system to maintain records and statistics related to communication programs and citizen engagement; maintain and archive press releases, photographs, videos, and other pertinent information.
Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

KNOWLEDGE:

Principles, practices, methods and techniques of public relations, community outreach, and community engagement programs.
Principles and practices of mass communication methods and marketing techniques.
Principles and practices for social media and digital content including techniques of graphic design and associated software related to website design, maintenance, photography, video production and image editing.
Practices and methods for data, video and records retention and archives; structure and organization of public sector agencies.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations.
Political issues, community development issues, and legislative developments of importance to the organization and community.
Methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation and writing; applicable software programs.
Oral presentation techniques and modern practices in writing clear, structured, articulate and persuasive articles and reports.
English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
Current emerging communication tools, platforms, and broadcast channels.

SKILLS:

Research, analyze, organize, edit, write and design informational material for publication and presentation; prepare website content, illustrations, charts, graphs, brochures for presentation and dissemination.
Perform intensive research and analysis, interpret, summarize data in an effective and useful manner.
Effectively use social media, video, computer and related design software programs to perform a variety of communication tasks;
Operate modern office equipment, Application software related to communications.

ABILITIES:

Speak eloquently and utilize sound judgment and discretion when speaking and representing the City before a wide range of public and private organizations, officials, and media representatives.
Plan, organize, and carry out assignments with minimal supervision and direction.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; prepare clear and concise documents and reports.
Gather, process and disseminate information of significance to City management and residents to support the vision, mission, goals and objectives of the City.
Respond to inquiries, complaints, or requests for service or defer as appropriate; interpret, explain and apply applicable laws, codes and regulations; read, interpret and record data accurately.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Maintain high ethical behavior in regards to procurement profession standards.
Must have the ability to work a varied schedule of hours, which may include evenings, and/or weekends, or be on-call as needed.
Work effectively with diverse, multi-cultural, religious groups.
Preserve and maintain confidentiality of information and materials routinely encountered as part of work assignments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Training:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in journalism, communications, public relations, Marketing, Graphic Design, or a related field.

Experience:

Five years of increasingly responsible public relations, media communication, journalism experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

Possession and maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license.

A combination of certifications offered by the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) and FEMA/California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI) training will be required within the first twelve (12) months of employment.

Desired Qualifications:

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Business Administration, Communications, Journalism, or related field.

Bilingual Spanish Ability.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Physical Requirements:

On a continuous basis, sit, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, or twist to work in a standard office setting or reach equipment or when in the field; perform simple and power grasping and fine manipulation to operate a keyboard, office equipment, and audio, visual, or recording equipment; speak, write, see and hear with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; lift and carry supplies and equipment weighing between 10 and 25 pounds. Mental strength and resilience to manage emotions to navigate challenges, stressors, and pressure associated with crisis management. Ability to travel to various municipal sites or emergency scenes.

Working Environment

While the primary workspace is a climate-controlled office, the incumbent frequently operates in the field at community events, construction zones, and active disaster scenes, requiring a high degree of adaptability to outdoor elements, including exposure to extreme heat, cold, and inclement weather. The work requires a flexible schedule that may include frequent evenings, weekends, and holiday hours, and be available on an on-call basis.

City of Los Banos

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Public Information Officer