Communications and Engagement Officer - Sustainability Department (Departmental Promotional Only)

County of San Mateo•San Mateo, CA

13h•Onsite

About The Position

The County of San Mateo Sustainability Department is seeking a Communications and Engagement Officer to lead its internal and external communications strategy. This role involves promoting sustainability education, programs, services, and initiatives throughout the County. The position oversees external communications, media relations, executive and internal communications, impact reports, digital content, branding, community engagement initiatives (including youth climate programs), outreach and marketing resources, and communications support for Department initiatives. The Communications Officer will also establish Department-wide branding standards, communications templates, outreach tools, and processes to ensure consistent, effective, accessible, and audience-specific communications. As a member of the Department’s Management Leadership Team, this role provides strategic counsel to executive leadership, supervises communications staff, manages consultant and vendor relationships, and ensures clear and effective communication with various stakeholders including staff, residents, community partners, elected officials, media, and other organizations.

Requirements

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying.
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public relations, communications, journalism, business or public administration, or a related field.
Five (5) years of management experience in public affairs, media relations, or related area.
Knowledge of administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation.
Knowledge of principles and practices of public information, media relations, and community outreach project and program development.
Knowledge of methods and techniques for the development of press releases, talking points, newsletters, presentations, business correspondence, and information distribution; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
Knowledge of techniques for effectively representing the County in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
Knowledge of English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
Knowledge of techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
Knowledge of public agency contract administration, county-wide administrative practices, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
Knowledge of organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of projects, programs, policies, procedures, and operational needs.
Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
Knowledge of record keeping principles and procedures.
Knowledge of modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
Ability to design, implement, and manage multiple or ongoing programs/projects, and direct the related resources, personnel and activities.
Ability to develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls.
Ability to provide professional leadership and direction in managing department-specific communication strategies, media relations, and campaigns.
Ability to conceptualize messages and effectively communicate in writing, speech, and other methods of communication.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with reporters, editors, and other media representatives.
Ability to interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
Ability to effectively represent assigned department in committees and meetings with stakeholders and the community.
Ability to prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
Ability to conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
Ability to organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
Ability to operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
Ability to use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
Ability to use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with internal and external partners, stakeholders, and media contacts.
Ability to apply an understanding of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities to improve communication strategies.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with diverse communities.
Strong commitment to equity, accessibility, and public service.
Deep experience in branding, messaging, media relations, social media, digital communications, public information, public records request coordination, event communications, community engagement, executive communications, production of public-facing materials, and internal communications.
Strong political acumen and sound judgment.
Creative and innovative thinker.
Strong technical knowledge of communications tools, media practices, digital platforms, marketing strategies, branding standards, and public engagement methods.
Excellent writer and natural storyteller.
Skilled at building and maintaining Department-wide communications infrastructure.
Demonstrated supervisory experience and the ability to inspire, coach, and support staff.
Strong program and project management skills.
Proactive in identifying promising communications strategies, evaluating effectiveness, improving systems, and phasing out approaches that are no longer effective.
Use data and performance metrics from social media, digital platforms, campaigns, and outreach activities to evaluate effectiveness, refine strategies, and develop measurable, actionable, and results-oriented communications.
Demonstrated commitment to equity and social justice.
Experience working with community-based organizations and trusted messengers.
Understand the role of internal communications in strengthening collaboration, cross-program coordination, staff cohesion, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness.
Comfortable supporting internal messaging, collaboration practices, change management efforts, and staff wellness communications.

Responsibilities

Advise the Department Director, Assistant Director, executive leadership, managers, and program staff on communications strategy, messaging, media relations, public information, stakeholder engagement, and sensitive or high-profile issues.
Develop, implement, and evaluate strategic communications plans that advance Department priorities, programs, services, initiatives, and organizational goals.
Establish, maintain, and oversee Department-wide branding standards, communications templates, outreach tools, marketing resources, editorial standards, and communications procedures.
Lead external communications, including media relations, public information, digital communications, social media, newsletters, web content, community outreach materials, and public awareness campaigns.
Serve as the Department’s primary point of contact for media inquiries; coordinate responses, prepare spokespeople, develop talking points, and maintain relationships with key media representatives.
Review, write, and produce press releases, newsroom posts, media advisories, statements, talking points, speeches, presentations, reports, newsletters, social media content, web copy, fact sheets, outreach materials, and other communications materials.
Develop messaging that translates complex environmental, climate, energy, water, waste reduction, transportation, resilience, and sustainability topics into clear, accessible, and compelling public information.
Provide strategic communications support for sensitive, high-profile, or emerging issues, including crisis communications and rapid-response messaging.
Develop and support staff capabilities in planning and executing internal and external communications, stakeholder engagement, outreach campaigns, program identity development, and audience-specific messaging.
Support programs in developing clear program identities, messaging frameworks, outreach strategies, and materials that align with Department and County branding standards.
Lead the development of tailored, audience-specific outreach and education materials that respond to community needs, support program implementation, and improve community benefits.
Develop and strengthen partnerships with community-based organizations and trusted messengers to co-create and conduct outreach, particularly in communities with lower past participation or greater barriers to engagement.
Lead communications and outreach strategies that support inclusive, equity-centered community engagement, including engagement with historically underserved communities.
Oversee communications and engagement strategies for youth climate programs, including efforts to expand educational opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and increase participation in communities with lower past engagement.
Oversee the Department’s brand identity and ensure consistency, accuracy, accessibility, and quality across print, digital, web, social media, presentation, and public-facing materials.
Use social media, digital marketing tools, website analytics, email marketing data, and other performance metrics to develop measurable, actionable, and results-oriented communications strategies.
Track, analyze, and report on communications performance, using data to refine messaging, improve public engagement, and increase the effectiveness of outreach campaigns.
Modernize and streamline communications tools, templates, workflows, review processes, and outreach resources to improve consistency, responsiveness, efficiency, and support across Department teams.
Support internal communications and change management efforts by developing messaging, staff updates, leadership communications, presentations, collaboration tools, and resources that help employees understand Department priorities and initiatives.
Strengthen internal communications by refining collaboration tools, procedures, messaging practices, and cross-program communication channels to improve coordination and cohesion across the Department.
Manage or support Department staff wellness communications, initiatives, and related internal engagement efforts, as assigned.
Develop and conduct communications, media relations, storytelling, plain language, branding, digital communications, and public engagement training for Department managers and staff.
Supervise, mentor, assign, review, and evaluate the work of communications staff; support professional development and team effectiveness.
Manage consultants, contractors, vendors, and creative partners providing communications, design, translation, interpretation, marketing, media, digital, or engagement services.
Coordinate communications for public meetings, community events, campaigns, workshops, youth climate programs, and other Department initiatives.
Represent the Department at County, committee, interagency, community, and partner meetings as assigned.
Work closely with executive leadership and program managers to respond to difficult, sensitive, or complex public inquiries, complaints, and stakeholder concerns.
Coordinate with appropriate County staff on public records requests, media requests, records retention, accessibility, language access, and other public information requirements.
Monitor changes in communications practices, media trends, digital technology, accessibility standards, public engagement methods, laws, regulations, and County policies that may affect Department communications; recommend updates as needed.
Perform special assignments, lead cross-functional projects, and perform other related duties as required.