THE ORGANIZATION
The City of San José plays a vital economic and cultural role as the center of Silicon Valley. With an incredibly diverse community of one million people who have family and business ties around the world, San José is also at the crossroads of innovation and tradition that is the home of global technology companies and high quality neighborhoods. Located at the southern end of beautiful San Francisco Bay, San José is within easy reach of California’s beaches and mountains, and enjoys an abundance of good weather.
The Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Department preserves, enhances, and builds a safe, attractive, vibrant, and sustainable San José. Through partnership with and exceptional service to our diverse communities and customers, the Department provides a host of services.
THE POSITION
The City of San José is seeking an experienced and savvy senior communicator with strong strategic and tactical abilities for a new position in the Department of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement (PBCE). The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent writing and presentation skills, and have substantial experience with developing and executing effective communication plans using a wide range of appropriate tactics including traditional and new media. Candidates with public sector, corporate or public relations agency experience are invited to apply. Creativity, good judgment, and initiative are essential. Knowledge of land use planning and development issues and processes is desirable, but not essential. This is an outstanding opportunity to establish a unique communications program for an organization that is creating the future for the Capital of Silicon Valley.
The specific duties of the PBCE Public Information Manager include but are not limited to:
- Create and maintain regular communications and news programs for Departmental stakeholders, both internal and external.
- Reporting to the Director, participate as a member of the Department’s senior staff.
- Coordinate news media relations, serve as Department spokesperson, identify and pitch stories for news media, and assist Department management and staff to prepare for and respond to news media inquiries.
- Develop collateral material, oversee the PBCE website and social media presence, and ensure quality and consistency of departmental public information.
- Assist with the preparation and coordination of departmental presentations for a variety of audiences, ensuring high and consistent quality.
- Identify, develop, and place positive and practical stories about PBCE programs, services, accomplishments, and staff using a wide range of media and channels.
- Lead the development of communication strategies to clarify the development review process, promote the Envision San José 2040 General Plan, and other key department efforts.
- Work with Citywide communications issues and projects, with emphasis on development, long range planning, urban design, and economic development.
- Participate as a member of the Citywide emergency public information team.
REQUIREMENTS
Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in journalism, mass media communications, public relations, advertising, marketing or a closely related field.
Experience: Six years of increasingly responsible journalism, mass media communication, public relations or public information experience, including three years of supervisory experience.
TO APPLY
To apply for this outstanding opportunity, please visit the Koff & Associates website at www.koffassociates.com to view the job posting and brochure. Please mail or email your cover letter and resume by midnight August 18, 2014 to:
Koff & Associates
Attention: Lori Worden
6400 Hollis Street, Suite 5
Emeryville, CA 94608
lworden@koffassociates.com
Following the closing date, applicant materials will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this brochure. The most qualified candidates will be invited to screening interviews with Koff & Associates. The City of San José will make the final decision regarding a candidate’s eligibility, however, applicants meeting the minimum requirements will not be guaranteed advancement in the process.
Successful candidates not currently employed in regular status by the City of San José must pass a pre-employment background check to be considered for employment.