Public Information Manager

The Environmental Services Department (ESD) is seeking an experienced communicator with a diverse skillset to lead the Communications Division. 

The Environmental Services Department’s mission is to deliver world-class utility services and programs to improve health, environment, and economy. ESD manages garbage and recycling services; watershed protection and pollution prevention; municipal drinking water and recycled water; sustainability initiatives; and the operation and infrastructure improvements of the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF). It is one of the largest City departments with about 600 staff members, a $470M operating budget, and a $2B 30-year RWF Capital Improvement Program. ESD also partners with other City departments including Transportation and Public Works to provide sewer and storm services to residents and businesses.

The Public Information Manager leads a team of 11 full time employees, to develop and implement a range of communication strategies and messages related to all the utility programs and services across the department including public awareness and behavior change outreach campaigns, regulatory compliance, rate noticing, and emergency/crisis communications. The Public Information Manager is responsible for internal and external communications.

Typical duties include but are not limited to:

• Align messaging with ESD’s program needs, develop and execute internal and external communication plans, including implementing communication/media strategies, marketing efforts, rate noticing, and educational resources;
• Manage and develop communication strategies for department senior leadership and ensure the alignment of communication plans and messaging with ESD and City goals and objectives;
• Build and manage strategic communication channels to reach diverse customer segments and stakeholders, including digital newsletters, social media, blogs, email, and direct mail;
• Seek out new stakeholder partnerships and enhance existing ones on common ESD messages;
• Enhance ESD’s brand as a regional, state, and national environmental leader;
• Oversee the department’s website content and expand social media strategies and outreach;
• Collaborate with department staff to ensure consistent and accurate messaging on all departmental communications;
• Serve as the department’s primary spokesperson and media liaison, providing timely and accurate information on departmental programs and initiatives; prepare speaking points and coach senior staff in preparation for interviews;
• Plan and implement communication campaigns to promote new programs and initiatives while ensuring compliance with federal, state, regional, and local mandates;
• Develop print and electronic communications including annual reports and rate notices;
• Develop and monitor division budget;
• Coordinate with Mayor and Council staff on proclamations, commendations, and constituent inquiries;
• Oversee Public Records Act (PRA) requests; and
• Support Emergency preparedness/crisis communication: develop, disseminate messages during ESD programmatic emergencies; serve as the department’s public information representative in the City’s Emergency Operations Center in city-wide emergencies; continue to update ESD’s crisis communications plan; and provide communications guidance and training to department staff as needed.

The ideal candidate has excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and experience in community outreach and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience developing and executing communication plans using a wide range of appropriate tactics including traditional and new media. Creativity, good judgment, initiative, and the ability to build strategic partnerships within the City and with other stakeholders, including media, are essential.

Salary Informaion

The annual salary range for this classification is:

$156,849.42 – $191,978.02

This salary range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

Minimum Qualifications

education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in journalism, mass media communications, public relations, public information, advertising, or marketing or a closely related field.

Experience: Six (6) years of increasingly responsible journalism, mass media communications, public relations, public information, advertising, or marketing experience or experience in a closely related field, including three (3) years of supervisory experience.

Licensing Requirements: Valid California Driver’s License may be required.

Form 700 requirement: This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an “Assuming Office Form 700” with the City Clerk’s Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

• Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
• Collaboration – Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.
• Communication Skills – Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.
• Decision Making – Identified and understand issues, problems, and opportunities; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions.
• Fiscal Management – Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements.
• Leadership – Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment; encourages and rewards risk-taking, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational support and direction.
• Initiative – Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems; is proactive and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.
• Problem Solving – Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem(s); collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.
• Project Management – Ensures support for projects and implements agency goals and strategic objectives.

Selection Process: 

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant’s training and experience based on the Application and responses to all the job specific questions. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

If you have questions about the duties of this position, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Ernesto Zamaguey at Ernesto.Zamaguey@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility:  Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.  

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.  

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application.  If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided.  IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application. 

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.