Summary/Class Characteristics
Part Time Communications Specialist
The City of Petaluma is looking to fill one Part Time Communications Specialist vacancy within the City Manager’s Office. This is a part-time, at will, non-benefited position and hours worked will typically not exceed 20 hours per week.
Summary
Support a wide range of public information, digital communications, and community engagement activities. Assists in planning, developing, and implementing communication strategies designed to inform and engage the community about City programs, services, initiatives, and events. Contributes to the City’s overall communications efforts through content development, digital platform management, media coordination, and outreach support.
Class Characteristics
General supervision is provided by a higher-level supervisor or manager; responsibilities may include the indirect supervision of support staff.
Duties
Assist in the development and implementation of public communication and outreach strategies.
Create, edit, and publish content for the City’s website, social media platforms, newsletters, and other communication channels.
Support the maintenance and organization of digital communication platforms.
Draft news releases, public notices, email communications, and informational materials.
Assist with media relations, including preparing materials and responding to inquiries as appropriate.
Develop written, graphic, and basic multimedia content to support public information efforts.
Monitor and review engagement metrics to help assess the effectiveness of communication initiatives.
Support community engagement activities, public meetings, and special events.
Coordinate with City departments to ensure accurate, consistent, and timely messaging.
Ensure communications align with the City’s brand standards, accessibility requirements, and organizational priorities.
Assist with general administrative and project support related to communications functions.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of public information, communications, and community engagement.
Digital communication platforms and content management systems.
Basic media relations practices.
Modern office practices and technology.
Education and Experience
Education
Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:
Equivalent to an Associate’s degree with major course work in public relations, communications, journalism, business administration, public administration, or a related field. A Bachelor’s degree is desirable.
Experience
Two years of increasingly responsible work experience in a related field, including experience involving public relations and/or communications.
Certifications/Licenses
Bilingual proficiency is desirable.
Physical Demands and Working Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. Intermittently, twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; stand and walk; bend and squat to perform file searches; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; operate an automobile to attend various meetings and activities. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Requires the ability to work in an office environment where the noise level is usually moderate.
01
This is a part-time, at will, non-benefited position and hours worked will typically not exceed 20 hours per week. Please acknowledge that you understand this.
02
Which of the following describes your years of experience working in public relations, community relations, media relations or marketing communications?
- Less than two years
- Two to five years
- Five years or more
- I do not have experience in public relations, marketing or communications.
03
In which of the following do you have experience? (Select all that may apply)
- Social Media
- Website Content Management
- Writing and Editing
- Graphic Design
- AI
- Photography
- Videography
- None of the Above
04
Please describe your work experience in each of the areas you selected from question #3. In your response, please provide specific examples of projects completed.
05
Please tell us what excites you about working for the City of Petaluma as part of our Communications Team.
