Communication Specialist - San Mateo County Libraries (Open & Promotional)

County of San Mateo•San Mateo, CA

About The Position

San Mateo County Libraries is seeking an experienced, creative, and motivated Communication Specialist to join their Library Communications Team. The library system is recognized for its high ratings and commitment to learning, sharing, and exploration. The role involves planning, organizing, and coordinating public and internal communications activities, developing and executing integrated communications, media, and marketing plans across various channels. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker, excellent organizer, able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines, and support key messaging, design, and branding needs. Bilingual skills are a plus. San Mateo County Libraries serves approximately 280,000 residents across 351 square miles with 13 community libraries, offering a wide range of programs and events to reflect and celebrate community diversity.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in mass media communication, public relations, journalism, business, or a closely related field.
Four (4) years of professional experience with responsibility for public relations or a closely related field and directly involved in the preparation and dissemination of information to the general public.
Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of public relations, marketing, communications, and community engagement.
Knowledge of techniques of effective interviewing, copywriting, layout, editing, and multimedia productions.
Knowledge of digital communications, including websites, social media, email marketing, newsletters, and other online platforms.
Knowledge of customs, practices, and trends in public information media.
Knowledge of methods for measuring and evaluating communications effectiveness, including engagement metrics and analytics.
Knowledge of principles and methods of community services, including current trends and issues relevant to the assigned department.
Knowledge of principles and practices of branding, visual identity, and organizational messaging.
Knowledge of professional writing, editing, proofreading, and content development practices.
Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate comprehensive communications programs to meet library needs, values, and priorities.
Ability to strategically develop programs and tools to increase and maintain public awareness of library programs, services and achievements.
Ability to apply principles and techniques of effective public communication to develop clear, concise, accurate, and engaging communications materials.
Skilled in managing multiple communications projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
Ability to speak effectively to diverse audiences, including media, civic and citizen groups and other library staff.
Ability to write and edit effective press releases, articles, speeches, scripts and other correspondence.
Skilled in monitoring and analyzing communications performance and using data to improve content and outreach strategies.
Ability to maintain cooperative working relationships with other program managers and staff, other agency partners and the community.
Ability to exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive, high-profile, or time-sensitive communications.
Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual skills are always desired.

Responsibilities

Create, develop, distribute, and maintain library print and digital assets (e.g., brochures, reports, website, social media) via multiple channels.
Support the management of all digital and print marketing channels (e.g., digital asset management system, website, blogs, newsletters, social media, flyer creation) to ensure brand consistency.
Provide copywriting and editing support to the libraries’ print and digital platforms.
Develop and implement communication/marketing strategies that include design work, patron messaging, and social media content creation.
Support and champion the Library’s brand, ensuring that libraries and staff produce high-quality designed collateral and error-free copy.
Under the direction of the Director of Communications, research, design, and draft press releases, media pitches and responses, content for system initiatives, infographics, blogs, library signage, newsletters, and internal messaging.
Support media relations by serving as a media contact, as needed.
Research and draft talking points, answer reporter inquiries, and create content for executive speeches, op-eds, etc.
Arrange, coordinate, and support library events and programs in a virtual and in-person setting.
Support and evaluate the results of communication campaigns with the team.