Council Community Relations Coordinator/Director Council District 6 Office

The City of San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley, is one of the nation's best managed cities and one of the top ten cities in which to live, work and do business. Moreover, San José is the center of cultural government and economic activity for the region. The employees of the City of San José have embraced the following values: Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Respect and Celebration. The San José City Council consists of ten Councilmembers elected by district and a Mayor elected at-large, each for four-year terms. The Mayor and Council are responsible for representing the residents of San José, providing accountability, reviewing public policy and programs, and adopting those policies which best meet the needs of the residents, visitors, and businesses in San José. The Council District 6 Office is recruiting for a Council Community Relations Coordinator or Director position , which will serve as a community relations representative in direct support of elected official, Councilmember Michael Mulcahy. The actual position and salary shall be determined by the final candidates' qualifications and experience. The salary range is $67,566.20-$126,523.54 annually, which includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. The position will coordinate media communication and public information efforts for the Council District Office. Education and/or experience in the fields of public relations, communications, journalism, public information, web design, or marketing is highly desirable. Strong writing skills, communication skills, and computer proficiency with a firm grasp of social media tools and platforms are essential in this position. As well as the ability to develop and maintain effective relations with constituents and organizations with a positive and professional demeanor when working in public. Bilingual language skills (Vietnamese, Spanish, and/or Chinese), both oral and written, are desirable, but not required. Responsibilities for this position may include, but are not limited to, the following: Public Communications Manage and produce all external communications, including newsletters, e-blasts, website content, and social media platforms. Develop and create engaging digital/social media content aligned with the elected official's priorities and messaging. Draft and refine talking points, quotes, speeches, and messaging for public appearances, events, and all digital platforms. Prepare official office statements, proclamations, and ceremonial communications. Oversee media relations by coordinating press inquiries and drafting responses, including managing press conferences and interviews on behalf of the elected official. Monitor media coverage and public sentiment about related issues to the district. Community Awareness & Outreach Represent the office at community events, serving as an active and engaged liaison with constituents. Build and maintain meaningful relationships with community members, partners, and stakeholders to strengthen the office's network. Ensure constituents and community partners are informed of relevant events, programs, resources, and opportunities. Neighborhood Management Attend neighborhood, business, and community meetings to stay informed on local issues and priorities. Develop an understanding of business district and neighborhood-specific needs and concerns. Maintain regular communication with neighborhood leaders and stakeholders to support responsive and effective engagement. Event Coordination Plan and coordinate community events, including volunteer clean-ups, informational meetings, and other public gatherings. Collaborate with City departments, government agencies, nonprofits, community organizations, and local businesses. Assist with event logistics, including scheduling, site coordination, permits, materials, and on-site support. Support outreach and promotion efforts to maximize community awareness and participation. Serve as a point of contact during events as needed. Technical/Software Proficient in managing and organizing large datasets to support outreach and constituent engagement efforts. Experienced in social media/digital content creation and management, including platforms and tools such as Canva, Instagram editing tools. Experienced in designing graphics, flyers, and digital materials to support communications and community outreach. Quick to learn and adapt to new software, tools, and data management systems. Interpersonal/Professional Skills Enjoys engaging and communicating with diverse audiences. Confident public speaker, comfortable addressing large groups. Strong written and verbal communicator, with an emphasis on clarity and conciseness. Builds positive, empathetic relationships with residents, businesses, community partners, and staff. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills; dependable and trustworthy, with a proven ability to build rapport and earn community trust among stakeholders and the public. Skilled in collaborative problem-solving and conflict resolution. Maintains professionalism and adaptability in fast-paced, public-facing environments. Employees in this classification are not members of the classified civil service and appointment would be on a contract "at-will" basis and is for a specified period of time to be determined by the appointing elected official and does not extend past the end of the elected official's term. Candidates must be willing to work a flexible schedule as needed, including frequent evenings and weekends and as exempt management employees, are not eligible for overtime compensation. This unclassified position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income and business positions. Any combination of training, education, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to advise and support the Councilmember on matters of constituent services; public policy; community outreach and engagement; and communications.

Council Community Relations Coordinator Minimum Qualifications Education:

Typically requires a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent.

Experience:

Typically requires two (2) or more years' experience of public or customer service, public relations, communications, or recreation programming experience.

Required Licensing:

Possession of a valid California Driver's license may be required.

Council Community Relations Director Minimum Qualifications Education:

Typically requires a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent. A Masters degree in public or business administration; or a degree in a technical field related to a municipal function is highly desirable.

Experience:

Typically requires five (5) or more years' experience of public or customer service, public relations, communications, or recreation programming experience. Experience working for an elected official at the federal, state, or local level or as a public or private sector manager is highly desirable.

Required Licensing:

Possession of a valid California Driver's license may be required. Competencies Knowledge of federal, state, and local rules and regulations pertaining to municipal operations. Ability to effectively communicate with the media and members of the public through a variety of letters, memoranda and reports; prepare agendas and meeting summaries; ability to obtain information from and convey information to the public. Ability to develop and maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with a wide range of individuals, neighborhood, business, and community organizations, as well as City staff, members of Boards and Commissions and other constituencies. Ability to provide administrative support to an elected official including scheduling and coordinating appointments, meetings, and events for the Councilmembers. Ability to plan, manage, and evaluate community relations methods and events. Ability to collaborate with representatives of other elected officials, public and community-based agencies; and City staff regarding policy analysis and development; consideration of policy and program options; or other matters affecting public services. Ability to plan, manage, coordinate, and collaborate to successfully produce special events, public meetings.

Desirable Qualifications Bilingual skills:

oral and written proficiency with languages. Ability to exercise sound judgment in developing, analyzing, and evaluating various programs and services. Ability to collaborate with community based organizations regarding the preparation and management of grants, programs, special events, and community outreach efforts; Ability to manage programs, activities, and projects within the scope and authority of the elected official regarding community relations methods, programs, and events. Ability to draft routine to complex correspondence, memoranda, and reports which articulate the elected official's proposals and position on matters before the City Council and other governmental bodies. Proficiency with conducting public meetings and events on behalf of the elected official and/or prepare summaries of public and private meetings; reports, memoranda and other documents for review by senior staff and the elected official. Ability to serve as support staff in community engagement efforts with neighborhood, district or city-wide business or community groups or associations and other interested parties in the regarding community concerns, issues, and priorities. Ability to produce public information including media releases and relations and to use social media sources including web site development and management to effectively engage the community and constituents with the elected official's policies, positions, and goals. Ability to effectively engage with other elected and appointed officials (boards and commissions, other governmental representatives and staff) regarding programs and services for mutual constituencies. Proficiency in web design and the use of various software programs including Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Photoshop, In-design; Dreamweaver, and other applications; the incumbent should also be proficient in graphic design. Specialized knowledge, skills, abilities, education, experience, or licensure requirements may be established for individual positions. Selection Process The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application, resume, cover letter, and answers to the job-specific questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional steps of the selection process may consist of one or more interviews. To be considered for this position, you must fill out the online application and answer the job-specific questions on the City of San Jose website and submit the following: Cover Letter Resume You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process: 1. Please provide sample work of marketing, media releases, graphics, and social media graphics. 2. Please provide a writing sample. 3. Please describe a time you had to manage a conflict (i.e. giving someone bad news, managing two parties that didn't agree, etc.). How did you manage this situation? What communications methods did you apply to the situation? You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.

Additional Information:

If you have questions about the duties of this position or the selection and hiring process, please contact dominique.voelker@sanjoseca.gov . This posting/recruitment is for multiple offices and will remain open until vacancies in these offices are filled. Applications are reviewed continuously; therefore, we encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible.