Communications Officer - Public Works (Open and Promotional)

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.

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 communication and outreach plans that effectively reach multilingual, multicultural, and historically under‑represented 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

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate understands how to support departmental priorities with effective communication strategies tailored to diverse audiences and communities. They can shape messaging, guide visual storytelling efforts, and provide creative direction that supports public engagement and outreach goals. Creativity and the ability to generate new ideas and strategies is key. Experience supporting communications related to public safety, road closures, emergency response, infrastructure projects, or operational impacts is highly desirable. The position requires sound judgment, political awareness, adaptability, and the ability to communicate effectively in fast‑moving and highly visible public environments.

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

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)

Experience supporting communications related to public safety, environmental issues, emergency response, infrastructure projects, or operational impacts is highly desirable

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 and Expertise

Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation

Public agency contract administration, County‑wide administrative practices, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area

Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of projects, programs, policies, procedures, and operational needs

Principles and practices of public information, media relations, and community outreach project and program development

Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility

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

Record‑keeping principles and procedures

Modern office practices, methods, computer equipment, and applications related to the work

English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation

Techniques for effectively representing the County in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations

Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff

Skills and Abilities

Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the assigned department

Provide professional leadership and direction in managing department‑specific communication strategies, media relations, and campaigns

Conceptualize messages and effectively communicate in writing, speech, and other methods of communication

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with reporters, editors, and other media representatives

Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations

Effectively represent assigned department in committees and meetings with stakeholders and the community

Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials

Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports

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

Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs

Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing

Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines

Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Education and Experience
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way of gaining the knowledge and skills is equivalent to 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 and five (5) years of management experience in public affairs, media relations, or related area.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels.

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