The Port of San Diego has an exciting opportunity for a creative, forward-thinking public relations professional to join the Port's Communications & Community Engagement Department. This position reports to the Senior Public Information Officer. The ideal candidate will need to be able to handle multiple projects concurrently under tight and competing deadlines, work collaboratively and communicate effectively with internal and external individuals at varying levels of an organization, have superior writing and presentation skills with the ability to quickly, efficiently and creatively develop a large volume of communications materials, have political acumen and cultural competence, and a creative mindset. Bilingual Spanish writer and speaker preferred.

Hiring Range Negotiable Between: $91,062 - $113,000 DOE/DOQ*

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, provides coordination and support to the Communications & Community Engagement Department for media inquiries, preparation of media responses, and recommendations for Port-related stories of interest; organizes media events, external communication events, and press conferences; prepares, edits, and proofreads press releases; organizes talking points and key messages to be provided to Port staff or released to the public in the interest of the Port; prepares presentation materials and talking points and staffs the Port representatives at media or public events; maintains media relations and tracks media events; prepares social media posts relevant to public interest topics; maintains communication across agency departments; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This journey-level classification is responsible for independently performing technical duties in support of the Communications & Community Engagement Department. Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from Senior Public Information Officer in that the latter performs the more complex work assigned to the series, such as organizes and plans public relations events and community outreach opportunities and provides technical and functional direction over lower-level staff.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB 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 qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Plans and oversees the coordination of media inquiries and events, preparation of media response, and content development for media releases; facilitates media interviews for subject matter experts and high-level staff including Commissioners and members of the executive leadership group.
Prepares, reviews, edits, and proofreads press releases; organizes talking points and key messages for staff and elected officials representing the Port.
Assists or participates in developing and implementing public relations strategies and plans, as well as campaign- or project-specific strategies and plans to meet designated goals and objectives; actively participates in regular meetings with management and contracted public relations agencies; develops and recommends creative ideas relevant to the Port's mission and strategic initiatives; analyzes and provides input in establishing budget requirements.

Represents the Port in a wide variety of public interactions; serves as Port liaison with a variety of civic and community organizations; attends social, trade, and civic functions to promote the Port's services.
Participates in developing and producing or manages, coordinates, and/or oversees layout, design, development, production, and distribution of public relations materials, including flyers, newsletters, and a variety of other internal and external publications; creates or participates in creating concepts to meet Port goals and objectives; writes or obtains and edits content from a variety of sources; monitors and identifies opportunities to expand distribution; maintains subscription databases.
Participates in proactively communicating information and messages to the public, key constituencies, as well as to internal customers, to promote the Port and educate targeted audiences regarding the Port's programs, activities, and initiatives.
Responds to a wide range of internal and external customer inquiries, requests and concerns, some of which may be sensitive or complex; provides general to highly detailed information regarding a wide spectrum of Port projects, programs, activities, and operations; as requested by civic or community organizations and others, makes public presentations, including speeches and audiovisual presentations.
Recommends implementation of community, public, and media relation goals, objectives, strategic plans, and policies to align with organizational mission and values.
Creates content for, posts on, and uploads photos/artwork to department websites, , and organic and paid social media sites; assists in creating and updating web ads and web design and backend web updates; develops materials for social media and event specific materials; writes external communications pieces including press releases, media alerts, social media content, talking points, written statements/responses, and key messages; serves on call for media inquiries and external communications needs of the entire organization.
Communicates regularly and provides consultation to members of the Board of Port Commissioners on sensitive and/or crisis matters concerning the general public, media relations, and community outreach initiatives.
Develops and maintains positive relationships with national, regional and local media.
Provides timely and transparent responses to media and public inquiries.
Develops partnership with outside agencies and key stakeholders to for collaborative marketing campaigns and promotional relationships.
Performs disaster service worker responsibilities, as directed.
Observes and complies with all Port and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Best practices for strategic media events, social media, and media relations.
Media production, social medial content development, and communication techniques to inform stakeholder audience in written, oral, or visual media.

Principles, practices, concepts, and techniques used in developing and executing public relations and community outreach plans, programs, and strategies.
Methods and techniques for creating effective media and public relations materials.
Effective business communications and appropriate use of AP-style writing.
Industry trends and media practices as they apply to developing and carrying out public relations and community outreach programs.
Writing and editing techniques including content development, elements of persuasive writing and argument, preparation and editing of publications, and newspaper style and format.
Principles and practices of public administration, including budgeting, purchasing and maintenance of public records.
Methods of analysis applicable to the formulation and communication of programs and policy.
Research methods and analysis techniques.
Crisis management techniques.
Port and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Port staff.
The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
Familiar with Joint Information Center and/or Emergency Operations Center protocols and structure.

Ability to:

Design, write, prepare, produce, and deliver accurate and effective communications.
Develop and deliver social media communications.
Represent the Port effectively in public settings and with media representatives on a variety of highly sensitive and complex issues.

Analyze and make sound recommendations on media relations, community outreach, and public affairs issues and assignments.
Develop concepts and design specific methods and techniques to improve internal and external communications.
Generate interest and convey messages through the development of persuasive writing.
Apply writing style and techniques appropriate for differing business and journalistic/public relations purposes.
Exercise diplomacy and discretion in dealing with sensitive and complex issues.
Some positions may require ability to speak and write in Spanish.
Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

Equivalent to bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, communications, business administration, or a related field.

Experience:

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in community outreach, public affairs, public information, journalism, or a related field.

Licenses and Certifications:

The application review process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to complete the Supplemental Questions to further evaluate their education, training, and experience relative to the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the position. Applicants must submit answers that are as complete as possible.

Only qualified applicants who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the assessment process which may be administered by a written examination, panel interview, or any combination of qualifications appraisal determined by the Department of Human Resources to be appropriate. The Department of Human Resources will make reasonable accommodation in the examination process for disabled applicants. If you have an accommodation request, please indicate such on your application.

Depending upon the number of applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants may be scheduled for one or more of the assessments listed below. Passing score is 70% out of 100% on each assessment section.

THE WRITTEN ASSESSMENT (30%) AND APPRAISAL PANEL (70%) ARE TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY MAY 27, 2026 AND WEDNESDAY JUNE 17, 2026

To move forward in the application process, you must complete an online application through our website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/portofsd Please attach a copy of your unofficial transcripts (indicating when degree was awarded) to your application or your application may be considered incomplete. Resumes may be uploaded but cannot be used in place of a completed application.

Placement on Eligible List:

The Department of Human Resources may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the assessment process. Candidates who are successful in all phases of the assessment process will be placed on an eligible list. The eligible list established by this recruitment will be active for a minimum of ninety (90) days or up to one (1) year, unless otherwise determined by the Director pursuant to Rule 8, Section 4.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The District firmly believes in, and is committed to, the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination. It is the policy of the District to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job classifications without regard to age (40 and above), ancestry, color, disability (mental or physical), gender (including identity, appearance, or behavior, whether or not that identity, appearance, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's sex at birth), marital status, medical condition, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status.

Advertising/Outreach

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various Port sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally 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 up to 10 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees 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.

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