Associate Public Communications Officer

Description

The Associate Public Communications Officer will lead and assist with public outreach strategies that promote SANDAG projects and initiatives throughout the San Diego region. This position will actively educate and provide opportunities for the public to participate in SANDAG projects, programs, and services, with a focus on communities historically underserved and systemically marginalized.

Overview of the Public Outreach team:

Job Responsibilities

• Support senior staff in project management and coordination for public affairs consultants and contractors; participate in the development of outreach plans; monitor milestones and deliverables, and work with senior staff to help establish and monitor project budgets.
• Coordinate and implement outreach and engagement strategies for multiple concurrent projects ensuring consistent messaging that reflects the SANDAG brand voice; respond to project and program inquiries, perform writing and editing for a variety of audiences internal and external to SANDAG, and verbally assist with public inquiries via telephone and in person at public events.
• Support a diverse range of community outreach plans, services, and activities; collaborate with key stakeholders from various community groups, government agencies, and project partners to share information.
• Execute plans for community events, including groundbreakings, ribbon-cuttings, informational sessions, and online engagements; provide on-site direction for consultants and in-person support at public events for projects and initiatives across the agency.

Typical Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree with major coursework in English, journalism, communications, or a related field. A combination of education and recent work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Three years of recent career experience in a public outreach, or public information environment. Ability to write and converse in Spanish and familiarity with the San Diego region and its varied communities is preferred.
• Experience supporting the development, implementation, and coordination of proactive and effective community relations, outreach, and/or mobilization.
• Experience working on multi-disciplinary project teams with project managers, project stakeholders, contractors, and communications staff.
• Well-honed writing and editing skills; experience writing engaging and compelling communications for a variety of audiences and purposes including social media, with a passion for simplifying and making complex information more conversational.
• Experience planning and coordinating meetings (including Hybrid and Virtual) and special events such as community meetings or workshops, public events including groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings, and preparing responses to public inquiries.