Communications Specialist

City of Pasadena • Pasadena, CA

7d

About The Position

The Pasadena Water and Power Department is seeking a Communications Specialist to support and implement marketing, social media, and interactive communication strategies for the utility. The role includes paraprofessional responsibilities, from routine to complex, in developing and delivering community relations programs, outreach and educational initiatives, and digital engagement efforts. The selected candidate will support the External Affairs Division in content creation, event production, and community outreach, while helping implement citywide communications policies and initiatives.

The Communications Specialist represents the utility in public settings, serves as a liaison with civic and community organizations, and applies sound professional judgment when interacting with the public and handling sensitive information. The position regularly includes evening and weekend community events, typically two to three events per month. The successful candidate is detail-oriented, performs well under pressure, and has strong writing and communication skills.

The position requires graduation from a two-year college with an associate's degree in marketing, public relations, communications, business administration, or a closely related field, plus at least four years of progressively responsible professional experience in marketing, public relations, or social media, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. A valid California Class C driver's license is required, along with compliance with the City's Motor Vehicle Safety Policy during employment.

Requirements

• Graduation from a two-year college with an associate's degree in marketing, public relations, communications, business administration, or a closely related field.
• At least four years of progressively responsible professional experience in marketing, public relations, or social media, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Possess a valid California Class C driver's license and comply with the City's Motor Vehicle Safety Policy during employment.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Ability to perform well under pressure, exercise discretion with sensitive information, and apply sound professional judgment in interactions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with copying, editing, photography, graphic design, video production, website and social media content management, and analytics.
• Experience in a public agency.
• Fluency in Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Represent the department in public interactions, serve as its liaison with civic and community organizations, and answer questions and provide information to individuals and customer groups.
• Write, edit, and publish informational materials in print and digital formats for the public, community groups, and employees.
• Develop and create graphic materials, including infographics, short-form videos, website content, social media posts, newsletters, flyers, brochures, visual displays, signs, advertisements, forms, reports, charts, maps, and other printed or graphic materials.
• Help manage website and social media content by publishing and updating materials, responding to comments and messages, and ensuring content accuracy.
• Assist in developing and delivering presentations and public information materials.
• Take and edit photographs and video on behalf of the Department.
• Collect data and information for reports and statistics about communication activities.
• Coordinate purchasing, storage, inventory, and distribution of printed or graphic materials and promotional products; obtain vendor quotes and adhere to project budgets and deadlines.
• Assist with creating and executing marketing campaigns and materials, including graphics and written content such as news releases, social media content, and webpage content.
• Plan and attend special events and coordinate educational partnerships with local schools.
• Support content creation, event production, community outreach, and digital engagement efforts.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Associate degree