Communications Officer - Public Works (Open and Promotional)

County of San Mateo • San Mateo, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The County of San Mateo Department of Public Works (DPW) is seeking a strategic and creative Communications Officer to help connect residents with the projects, services, and infrastructure that support everyday life throughout the County. This position is responsible for both building new strategies from the ground up and refining the use of existing communication channels. Externally with the public, the position will elevate public trust through proactive outreach, creative public relations, and transparent messaging regarding our vital infrastructure, facilities, and transportation networks. Internally, the position will design and implement communication frameworks that unite and inform a large, multifaceted department. Strategic communications efforts will include public information and community engagement efforts for the Department of Public Works, including public outreach related to road closures, emergency events, engineering projects, and various capital projects. A key priority for this role will be building and launching the department’s independent social media presence, establishing new digital channels to directly publicize our work and engage with the community. Reporting directly to the Assistant Director of Public Works, the Communications Officer serves as a key member of the department and plays a central role in creating and enhancing the department’s communications efforts.

Requirements

• 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
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in public relations, public information, media relations, digital engagement, government administration or strategic communications
• A track record of developing content for broad audiences through press releases, newsletters, websites, or multi-media campaigns
• Strong storytelling skills with the ability to connect with diverse audiences
• Experience developing content across multiple platforms (beyond just social media)
• Knowledge of branding, marketing, and digital communications strategies
• Ability to create inclusive, culturally responsive messaging
• Strong writing skills, including articles and public-facing communications
• Knowledge of administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation.
• 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 principles and practices of public information, media relations, and community outreach project and program development.
• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• 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 record keeping principles and procedures.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, methods, computer equipment, and applications related to the work.
• Knowledge of English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• 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 techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• Ability to develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for assigned department.
• 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 those contacted in the course of work.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting communications related to public safety, road closures, emergency response, infrastructure projects, or operational impacts is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategic communication and outreach plans aligned with departmental priorities and community needs
• Design and execute targeted outreach, engagement, and marketing strategies using data, feedback, and performance metrics to inform decision-making
• Pivot communication strategies and messaging in response to road closures, emergency events, engineering projects, and capital projects
• Build, launch and maintain the department’s social media presence
• Serve as a primary point of contact for media inquiries, public information requests, and sensitive public-facing communications
• Draft and coordinate press releases, media statements, talking points, executive messaging, newsletters, and public communications
• Support emergency and crisis communications related to road closures, emergency events, engineering projects, and capital projects
• Build inclusive communications and outreach plans that effectively reach multilingual, multicultural, and historically underrepresented communities
• Promote DPW’s engagement through innovative campaigns, storytelling, events, challenges, newsletters, interpretive programming, and community partnerships
• Collaborate with departmental leadership, partner agencies, community organizations, and stakeholders to align messaging and engagement goals
• Provide strategic direction and creative vision for digital, visual, and graphic design and communications, including supervision and coordination of communications support staff and consultants
• Analyze communication and engagement data to evaluate effectiveness and continuously improve outreach strategies
• Strengthen internal communications and employee engagement across the department in coordination with the department’s human resources team
• Ensure digital communications, public-facing materials, and online platforms align with ADA accessibility standards and inclusive communication best practices
• Oversee the development and coordination of brochures, informational materials, signage content, presentations, and outreach collateral that support departmental goals and community engagement
• Provide strategic direction for visual communications to ensure messaging, branding, accessibility, and audience needs are effectively integrated across platforms and materials
• Develop and evaluate communication strategies that increase community participation, public awareness, transparency, trust, and meaningful public engagement
• Provide strategic direction and creative vision for digital, visual, and graphic design and communications, including supervision and coordination of communications support staff (i.e. Graphic Specialist) and consultants

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level