The City of Turlock is currently accepting applications for the position of Public Information Officer. Under direction, plans, organizes, and provides direction and oversight for comprehensive public/community relations and communications programs for the City including all departments; plans, manages, implements, coordinates, and evaluates public information, community outreach, and media relations functions and activities including conducting press briefings; oversees Citywide strategic and ongoing communications, social media, and branding; prepares press releases, fact sheets, stakeholder community correspondence, publications, and newsletters; supports the goals and objectives of the City through public outreach, community engagement, education programs, and marketing strategies.

This position is designated as Management for Labor Relations purposes and is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

An eligibility list will be established from this recruitment that will be valid for six (6) months. All employees are required to serve a twelve (12) month probationary period.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a management level classification responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating the day-to-day operations of the Public Information function within the City. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from the City Manager or Deputy City Manager. Exercises supervision over and collaboration with assigned staff.

Manage media inquiries and provide clear, factual, and prompt information to the community through press releases, press briefings, social media, and other communication channels.
Build and maintain positive relationships with media outlets to effectively share City news and initiatives.
Interface with the media and conducts/organizes press briefings; researches, writes, edits, and issues news releases, media advisories, news articles, feature stores, and public service announcements.
Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Public Information office, including outreach, customer service, public relations, and communications programs.
Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of division budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the office.
Respond to inquiries and requests for information from the media, government agencies, City staff, and members of the public.
Develop, write, edit, design, and produce various communication materials, including newsletters, brochures, factsheets, press releases, articles, multi-media presentations, correspondence, reports, speeches, and special publications
Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures.
May assist during citywide emergencies developing and directing emergency information to the media, City employees, and the general public.
Assess and monitors workload, administrative, and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities and makes recommendations for improvement.
Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel.
Develops and implements comprehensive outreach and communication programs; schedules, coordinates, and facilitates news conferences, community meetings, and City events that promote the City's services, programs, and activities and to educate and inform the public and customers.
Collaborates with City departments, school districts, community groups, and other agencies to identify communication opportunities; utilizes the City's cable television channel and other media sources to disseminate information through community education projects; promotes public awareness campaigns and community relations' initiatives.
Responds to media requests with information about City programs and services as well as unusual circumstances/situations of immediate public interest, including emergency information; prepares, edits and coordinates speeches, press releases, media tip sheets, brochures, flyers, pamphlets, newsletters, annual reports, articles, electronic media, and related communications.
Oversees participation in community and special events; produces informational and promotional materials; supervises staff engaged in the production, development, publication, and broadcast of information to the public and the community; provides ongoing support and advice to City staff regarding communications to the public.
Assists in the development and maintenance of the City's website and related social media related to public information announcements; provides guidance and oversight to other City departments regarding website and online content.
Provides training and technical support to staff on marketing, advertising, writing, publicity, and communication strategies and policies.
Directs the establishment and maintenance of working and official division files.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of marketing, public information, media relations, and community relations programs.
Principles and techniques used in the conduct of an effective public information and publicity program for a department or agency;
Principles of marketing and promotional programs.
Current emerging communication tools;
Principles and practices of organization, administration and personnel management.
Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment and word processing and software applications.

Ability to:

Learn the process and structure of the City of Turlock.
Plan, initiate and complete work assignments with a minimum of direction.
Communicate clearly and concisely orally, in writing, with colleagues, managers, employees, the public, organized employee groups, and representatives of various organizations.
Establish and maintain cooperative-working relationships in a team environment and with those contracted in the course work.
Utilize word processing, spreadsheet and presentation computer software in an effective and efficient manner.
Must have the ability to work a varied schedule of hours, which may include evenings, and/or weekends, as needed.

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Three (3) years of public relations or mass communications experience.
Training:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, or a closely related field.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Physical Conditions:

Maintain the following physical abilities: see well enough to read instructions, read fine print, view computer screen, operate vehicles and equipment; hear well enough to converse on the telephone, on the radio and in person, assist customers and program supplies and equipment; use of hands and fingers for use of computer keyboard, copy machine, filing, writing, drive equipment and answering telephones; tolerate extreme fluctuation in temperature while performing essential functions and be able to lift equipment as necessary.

SELECTION PROCESS:

1.All applicants must complete a standard City of Turlock application for employment form, supplemental questionnaire and submit the following documentation:

Proof of education-this can be a copy of transcripts or any degree.

2. You may submit your required certifications using the following options:

Attach a scanned copy in the "Add Attachment" option (of the NeoGov online application) or
Fax a copy to (209) 668-5529 or
Email a copy to jvue@turlock.ca.us or
Hand deliver copies of your attachments to 156 S. Broadway, Suite 235, Turlock, CA on or before the final filing date.

Applications will be rejected if they are incomplete or required documentation is not attached.

3. Applications will be reviewed for possession of the minimum qualifications. In the event that a large number of applicants possess the minimum qualifications, applicants who appear to be the most qualified based on their breadth and recency of experience will be invited to compete in the testing process.

4. Candidates invited to compete in the testing process may be required to take a written examination, which will be based on a pass/fail basis. If a written examination is conducted and a large number of candidates receive a passing score, the City reserves the right to invite a percentage of the top scoring candidates to compete in the next phase of the testing process, the oral examination. The oral examination is tentatively scheduled for the week of February 9, 2026.

5. Candidates who are invited to participate in the oral examination and receive a score of 70% or more will be placed on an eligibility list. Ranking on the eligibility list will be based solely on the results from the oral exam.

6. Completion of a practical exercise maybe conducted in order to further evaluate skills relating to essential job functions.

7. Top candidates on the eligibility list will be referred to the City Manager for final appointment consideration.

8. Final appointment will be contingent upon passing the following: reference review, medical examination which includes a drug/alcohol screening, hearing exam and vision exam.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE SYSTEM

The City of Turlock has adopted a veteran's preference system (effective January 1, 2002). The percentage score achieved through an entrance (non-promotional) examination which ranks applicants on an eligibility list shall be adjusted to provide: (a) one (1) percentage point added to the final test score for each six (6) months of active service during a time of armed conflict, up to a maximum of five (5) points, and (b) five (5) percentage points added to the final test score for veterans who are disabled as a result of active military service during a time of armed conflict, regardless of length of service. To receive preference points, applicants must provide supporting documentation and proof of honorable discharge. In no event shall an applicant receive more than a five (5) point adjustment. This request should be made in section #12 of the employment application form. A copy of your DD214 must be attached for this request to be considered.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Turlock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are sincerely interested in receiving applications from qualified minorities, women and the disabled. Qualified applicants receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, political affiliation or belief except where indicated by requirements of the job. The City of Turlock will make every effort to accommodate applicants that have disabilities that would not allow them to compete in the announced process. Applicants are asked to indicate their request for accommodation in the application form.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND DRUG/ALCOHOL SCREENING

The incumbent will be required to take a medical examination including a drug/alcohol screening and be fingerprinted.

CUSTOMER SERVICE POLICY

The City of Turlock is committed to quality service to our customers. Our goal is to create a positive, productive and courteous atmosphere for our employees and customers. Employees are evaluated on the quality of customer service they provide.

BENEFITS

Holidays: Eleven (11) paid holidays and two (2) floating holidays.
Vacation: Paid vacation that increases with years of service.
Annual Management Leave: Eighty (80) hours
In-lieu Time Off (December): Employee shall receive 40 hours.
Sick Leave: Accrual of one day (eight (8) hours) for each month worked.
Retirement: Qualified candidates who are currently a CalPERS member or have been a CalPERS member within the last six (6) months or are subject to reciprocity with another eligible retirement plan, may be a "classic member" and may be enrolled in the City's 2.7% @ 55 plan. Employee pays employee contribution rate of 9% on a pre-tax basis. CalPERS "final compensation" may be based on the highest twelve (12) continuous months of qualifying employment. Non-classic or "new members" will be enrolled in the 2% @ 62 plan and CalPERS "final compensation" will be based on the highest thirty-six (36) continuous months of qualifying employment.
Deferred Compensation: The City will match employee's contribution up to two and half percent (2.5%) of the employee's base salary for each pay period in which employee contributes six (6%) percent to the program.
Retiree Health Savings (RHS) Vantage Care: Three (3%) percent of the employee's base payroll will be deposited in each individual's RHS Vantage Care account.
Health: The City offers a generous health, prescription, vision, and dental insurance plans for employees and dependents.
Professional Development: Employees are eligible to receive six hundred dollars ($600) in professional development funds.
Doctorate Degree: 2.5% of base salary.
Master's Degree Incentive Pay: 2.5% of base salary.
Bilingual Pay: 2.5% of base salary.
Continuous Service Pay:
Beginning with the tenth (10th) year and every year thereafter, 1.5% of base salary.
Beginning with the fifteenth (15th) year and every year thereafter, 1.5% of base salary.
Beginning with the twentieth (20th) year and every year thereafter, 1.5% of base salary.
Term Life Insurance: At one and one half percent (1.5%) times annual salary, plus $5,000.
Computer Loan Program: The City agrees to offer regular employees the opportunity for a no-interest loan up to $2,500 for the purchase of a personal computer.
City Cell Phone Stipend

NOTES:
Information contained herein does not constitute an expressed or implied contract as it is subject to change.

Where to Apply
City of Turlock
Human Relations Department
156 S. Broadway, Suite 235
Turlock, CA 95380-5454

(209) 668-5150

Visit our website at www.cityofturlock.org to apply.

All applications must be returned to the Human Relations Department no later than Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 5 p.m. POSTMARKS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Cell phones are typically incompatible with online application format or browsers. we recommend using a desktop or laptop Computer. If your are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627.

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Public Information Officer