COMMUNITY INFORMATION OFFICER

DESCRIPTION

THE COMMUNITY

Ideally located on the Pacific Ocean south of Los Angeles, adjacent to Orange County, the City of Long Beach, California (population 470,000) is frequently described as a series of strong, diverse interwoven smaller communities within a large city. Enjoying an ideal Southern California climate, Long Beach is home to an abundance of cultural and recreational options. The Long Beach Convention Center, Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary, and the annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, plus a wide variety of other attractions (two historic ranchos, three marinas, and five golf courses), serve to draw 6.5 million visitors a year. The City is also home to California State University, Long Beach and Long Beach City College. Cal State Long Beach is the second largest university in the state and was recently ranked the No. 3 best-value public college in the nation. Covering approximately 50 square miles, Long Beach is supported by a wide mix of industries with education, health and social services, manufacturing, retail trade, and professional services comprising the highest representation. Known for its livable and desirable neighborhoods, Long Beach was named by America’s Promise Alliance as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People two years in a row. While it offers all the amenities of a large metropolis, many say Long Beach offers the added benefit of having maintained a strong sense of community and cohesiveness despite its growth. A superb climate, quality schools, a vibrant downtown, and a wide variety of neighborhoods help make Long Beach one of the most livable communities in the country.

CITY GOVERNMENT

Long Beach, a charter city formed in 1897, is governed by nine City Council Members elected by district and a city-wide elected Mayor. Other elected officials include the City Attorney, City Auditor, and City Prosecutor. The elected officials are elected to staggered four-year terms. The City Council appoints the City Manager and City Clerk. The City Manager is responsible for the efficient administration of all City departments, excluding those under the direction of a separately elected official, Board or Commission. Long Beach is one of only three cities in California with its own Health Department and one of the very few municipalities with its own Utilities Department (Water and Gas) and Energy Resources Departments. The City is supported by a FY 2024 total budget of approximately $3.3 billion, with a General Fund budget of $719 million. More than 6,000 full and part-time employees support municipal operations with the vast majority being represented by twelve employee associations. To learn more about the City of Long Beach, go to: www.longbeach.gov.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Community Development delivers a wide variety of programs and services to help create and maintain more safe, sustainable, and livable neighborhoods. The department is comprised of five bureaus: Building and Safety, Code Enforcement, Housing and Neighborhood Services, Planning, and Administrative and Financial Services. Our staff of more than 200 works tirelessly to serve the community through an array of policies and programs, including land use and development, affordable housing, environment and historic preservation, neighborhood improvement, and construction standards and safety. We are dedicated to making a positive difference in our role to help transform Long Beach into a model urban community that honors its past and embraces the future.

THE POSITION

The Community Information Officer is an at-will management position that reports to the Department Director. It is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing the communication plan for the Department of Community Development, to ensure it is consistent with citywide communication guidelines and goals. This position provides expertise and leadership in communication strategy, public engagement, and media relations. The Community Information Officer is responsible for the oversight of the Department's Communications Division and directly manages the work and activities of five employees. The Communications Division is heavily relied upon, both internally and externally, to support Departmental and City missions through the use of strategic communication methods.

This position oversees the development and dissemination of internal and external communications that articulate the Department's purpose, impact, and role in building a better Long Beach.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Responsibilities of the Community Information Officer include, but are not limited to:

• Delivering on the Department’s strategic initiative of demystifying Community Development through internal and external media that explains what the Department does, how and why that work of building a better Long Beach matters.
• Managing recruitment , retention , supervision, and professional development of a high-performing Communications Division Team.
• Overseeing the creation and implementation of strategic communication plans that effectively promote programs, services, and initiatives while aligning with citywide communication guidelines and goals.
• Providing high-level direction and guidance in prioritizing special projects and managing resources to ensure timely and effective execution.
• Overseeing quality assurance and quality control to ensure consistent messaging across materials and mediums, bureaus of the Department, multiple consultants and vendors and internal staff.
• Participating in the Citywide Communications Team, and in the Citywide disaster management efforts for communications and outreach.
• Overseeing the creation, approval, and distribution of annual reports and publications for entities such as those the for Planning Commission, Cultural Heritage Commission, and Downtown Plan.
• Directing the planning and execution of special events and community engagement opportunities with outside agencies, such as public outreach forums, groundbreaking ceremonies, and grand openings at new development projects.
• Supervising the issuance of press releases, media relations activities, interviews, and the management of the Department’s social media platforms and website, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives .
• Leading other high level and professional communications efforts, as needed.
• Establishing and monitoring performance metrics for the Communications Division to ensure efficient, impactful, and measurable outcomes in support of departmental and citywide goals.
• Performs other related duties as required .

REQUIREMENTS TO FILE

EDUCATION

• A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, or a related field is required OR
• P rofessional experience beyond the minimum qualifications may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

*Required documents, such as transcripts, degrees, certificates, or licenses, must be uploaded to the online application in PDF format at the time of filing. Any documents submitted must contain either the applicant's name or other identifying characteristics on the document. Proof of education for academic degrees should indicate the type of degree and date of degree conferral. Candidates who possess degrees or units from outside the United States must attach proof of educational equivalency at the time of filing.

EXPERIENCE

• Three (3) years of paid, full time equivalent, increasingly responsible providing effective communications of government programs and services through traditional and contemporary media platforms.
• One (1) year of the required experience must have been gained in a supervisory capacity.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a valid Class C Drivers License

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Sharp understanding of the current media environment
• Excellent project management / technical skills
• Highly organized multi-tasker
• Strong time-management skills
• Excellent written/verbal communication skills
• Consistently exercises good judgment
• Self-motivated and results-oriented
• Direct communicator with superior interpersonal skills
• Collaborative and inclusive management style
• Dedicated to quality customer service
• Creative, strategic thinker
• Ethical and integrity based
• Advanced public relations skills

SELECTION PROCEDURE

This recruitment will close at 11:59 PM Pacific Time on February 6th. To be considered, please submit an online application, including a cover letter, resume, and proof of education in PDF format. Applications that fail to include all necessary documents will be considered incomplete and will not be taken into consideration.

Applications will be reviewed for depth and breadth of experience, and for level and relatedness of education. The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in further selection procedures. The selected candidate may be required to go through a background check and a physical examination prior to appointment. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements, including submission of all required attachments, will not be considered. For questions regarding this recruitment, please call (562) 570-6913.

The City of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce. The City of Long Beach is committed to creating a workplace where every employee is valued for who they are. Having our workforce reflect the diversity of our community at various levels of the organization is a continuous goal embraced by our departments, management staff, and policymakers. To support efforts of fairness and diversity, City Leadership is committed to incorporating equity and inclusion into our work by supporting staff and community partners. We are committed to promoting transparency by publishing updated demographic information for employees, including workforce diversity data and pay by race and gender.

The City of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the City of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act

The City of Long Beach is committed to maintaining fairness and transparency in our hiring practices. We believe in providing equal opportunities to all applicants and ensuring that every applicant is evaluated based on their qualifications and merit. If you believe that you have been unjustly disqualified based on minimum qualifications for an unclassified job opportunity, you have the right to appeal the decision. Find out more about the Applicant Appeal Process by visiting Applicant Appeal Process (longbeach.gov) .

The City of Long Beach intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If a special accommodation is desired, or if you would like to request this information in an alternative format, please call (562) 570-6913 .

For technical support with your governmentjobs.com application, please contact (855) 524-5627.

The City of Long Beach offers its employees opportunities to grow personally and professionally.As a permanent employee, you are eligible to receive fringe benefits that include:

Retirement:California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) defined benefit retirement plan, which is coordinated with Social Security. The benefit is 2.5% or 2.7% (depending on hire date) @55 for "Classic" members and 2% @62 for new members as defined by PEPRA, subject to the compensation limitations set by PERS. Both the City and the employee contributes toward CalPERS retirement contributions. The city also participates in Social Security.

Health and Dental Insurance:The City offers the choice of HMO and PPO plans. The city pays major portion of the premium for employee and dependents depending on the health/ dental plan selected.

Life Insurance:City-paid term life insurance policy equal to three (3) times annual salary to a maximum of $500,000.

Disability Insurance:City-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.

Management Physical:Annual City-paid physical examination.

Vacation:Twelve (12) vacation days after the first year of service; 15 days after four years, six months of service; 20 days after 19 years, six months of service.

Executive Leave:Forty (40) hours Executive Leave per year. The City Manager has discretion to grant an additional 40 hours each year.

Sick Leave: One day earned per month; unlimited accumulation; conversion upon retirement to cash credit toward health and/or dental insurance premiums, or to pension credits.

Holidays:Eleven (11) designated holidays per year, plus four personal holidays to be used at the employee's discretion.

Transportation Allowance:Monthly allowance is allocated by classifications below;

• Department Head $650.00
• Deputy Director/Manager/Director (Harbor/Utilities) $550.00
• Division Officer/Superintendent/ Chief of Staff / Administrator / Principal DCA $450.00
• Assistant to Executive / Executive Assistant / Executive Secretary/ Executive Support Staff $300.00

Deferred Compensation Plan:Optional for employee contribution to a supplementary retirement savings program available through Mission Square Retirement formerly ICMA-RC Retirement Corporation).

• Classic CalPERS Members: The City will contribute a maximum of up to two percent (2%) of base salary* for all qualified Classic CalPERS members.
• Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) CalPERS Members: Effective the second full pay period following City Council adoption, the City contribution will increase from two percent (2%) to three percent (3%) of base salary* for all qualified PEPRA CalPERS members.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA):Optional election for employees to reduce taxable income for payment of allowable childcare or medical expenses.

Flexible/Hybrid Work Schedule:Available (subject to City Manager approval).

Paid Parental Leave: The City provides one hundred and sixty (160) hours of Paid Parental Leave at 100% of salary, for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child, regardless of the gender, marital status or sexual orientation of the parent.

Closing Date/Time: 2/6/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Long Beach

• 5625707057

Show more