Community Engagement Officer

THE POSITION

The City of Santa Barbara is seeking an outstanding and dynamic Community Engagement Officer / PIO (Public Information Officer) to function as a key member of the City Administrator's Office. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced and collaborative professional environment and be an engagement leader, strategist, and systems-navigator committed to serving the community. The ideal candidate excels at developing relationships with the community, staff, and business partners to communicate effectively and transparently. In this position, the ideal candidate will develop and oversee communication plans that support City services, navigate fluidly in a dynamic, political organization, collaborate with internal and external partners, and be accountable in a culture that values community driven programming.

We are looking for a candidate with excellent skills in strategic public engagement to function as a leader in communicating the City's initiatives and outreach programs. The position will also advance our goal of creating a value-based, collaborative, and innovative culture that successfully partners with key stakeholders to equitably serve communities.

SUMMARY

Under direction, prepares and disseminates complex, sensitive, and high profile public information regarding City programs, community affairs activities, initiatives and events; performs related duties as assigned. The Community Engagement Officer is a management level classification with broad responsibility for the development and maintenance of an effective community affairs and outreach program for the City of Santa Barbara. This position reports to the City Administrator and is distinguished from the other division managers by its specialized knowledge of community affairs, public relations and outreach; and program deliverables. Bilingual skills in English / Spanish is highly desired for this position.

OUR COMMUNITY

Santa Barbara is among the world's most desirable places to work and live. Quietly nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara represents the essence of Southern California the art and culture of a metropolitan city with the heart and hospitality of a small, beautiful coastal town. Located just 90 miles north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara provides a unique living environment. The City offers its approximately 90,000 residents a year-round mild climate with an average temperature in the 70s, magnificent beaches, mountains and parks within minutes of a bustling downtown.

Among the City's many amenities are excellent healthcare services, abundant shopping and dining, harbor facilities, a municipal golf course and a newly renovated municipal airport. Institutions of higher learning include the University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College, Westmont College, and Antioch University. With so many choices of restaurants, cultural events, outdoor recreations and leisure activities, Santa Barbara offers something for every taste and lifestyle. Santa Barbara is a truly a magnificent and unique place to live and work.

CITY GOVERNMENT

Santa Barbara is managed by the Council / City Administrator form of government. City government services are provided by fourteen departments : Airport, City Administrator, City Attorney, Community Development, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Technology, Library, Parks and Recreation, Police, Public Works, Sustainability & Resilience and Waterfront. The City Administrator is also the appointed City Clerk / Treasurer. Santa Barbara has 1,064 full-time equivalent employees, a $477 million budget for fiscal year 2023, and nine recognized bargaining units. The seven-member City Council includes a Mayor, who is elected at-large, and six council members, who are elected by district.

The City provides a full scope of services to the community, including public safety (fire and police), library, parks, recreation, planning, engineering, water, storm drain, refuse, and wastewater; and includes a municipal airport, golf course, and harbor.

Santa Barbara serves as the county seat as well as the county's financial and retail center. Research and development, high tech, and light industry businesses play an important role in Santa Barbara's economy. Year-round tourism also produces jobs and revenue for the City.

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here .

The mission of the City Administrator's Office is to "Provide leadership, direction, and oversight to City departments to accomplish goals and objectives approved by the City Council, in accordance with the City Charter". Read more about the City Administrator's Office here : City Administrator's Office .

Education / Training / Experience :

A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a closely related field,

Seven years of increasingly responsible public information, public affairs, or media relations experience. At least two years of recent experience must include management / supervisory experience. Three years of experience of performing public relations in a municipal agency is highly desirable.

Bilingual Spanish / English fluency is highly desired.

Licenses, Certificates; Special Requirements :

A valid Class C California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's Vehicle Insurance Policy.

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as "See application", "Extensive Experience", or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and / or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

THE POSITION

The City of Santa Barbara is seeking an outstanding and dynamic Community Engagement Officer / PIO (Public Information Officer) to function as a key member of the City Administrator's Office. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced and collaborative professional environment and be an engagement leader, strategist, and systems-navigator committed to serving the community. The ideal candidate excels at developing relationships with the community, staff, and business partners to communicate effectively and transparently. In this position, the ideal candidate will develop and oversee communication plans that support City services, navigate fluidly in a dynamic, political organization, collaborate with internal and external partners, and be accountable in a culture that values community driven programming.

We are looking for a candidate with excellent skills in strategic public engagement to function as a leader in communicating the City's initiatives and outreach programs. The position will also advance our goal of creating a value-based, collaborative, and innovative culture that successfully partners with key stakeholders to equitably serve communities.

SUMMARY

Under direction, prepares and disseminates complex, sensitive, and high profile public information regarding City programs, community affairs activities, initiatives and events; performs related duties as assigned. The Community Engagement Officer is a management level classification with broad responsibility for the development and maintenance of an effective community affairs and outreach program for the City of Santa Barbara. This position reports to the City Administrator and is distinguished from the other division managers by its specialized knowledge of community affairs, public relations and outreach; and program deliverables. Bilingual skills in English / Spanish is highly desired for this position.

OUR COMMUNITY Santa Barbara is among the world's most desirable places to work and live. Quietly nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara represents the essence of Southern California the art and culture of a metropolitan city with the heart and hospitality of a small, beautiful coastal town. Located just 90 miles north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara provides a unique living environment. The City offers its approximately 90,000 residents a year-round mild climate with an average temperature in the 70s, magnificent beaches, mountains and parks within minutes of a bustling downtown. Among the City's many amenities are excellent healthcare services, abundant shopping and dining, harbor facilities, a municipal golf course and a newly renovated municipal airport. Institutions of higher learning include the University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College, Westmont College, and Antioch University. With so many choices of restaurants, cultural events, outdoor recreations and leisure activities, Santa Barbara offers something for every taste and lifestyle. Santa Barbara is a truly a magnificent and unique place to live and work. CITY GOVERNMENT Santa Barbara is managed by the Council / City Administrator form of government. City government services are provided by fourteen departments : Airport, City Administrator, City Attorney, Community Development, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Technology, Library, Parks and Recreation, Police, Public Works, Sustainability & Resilience and Waterfront. The City Administrator is also the appointed City Clerk / Treasurer. Santa Barbara has 1,064 full-time equivalent employees, a $477 million budget for fiscal year 2023, and nine recognized bargaining units. The seven-member City Council includes a Mayor, who is elected at-large, and six council members, who are elected by district. The City provides a full scope of services to the community, including public safety (fire and police), library, parks, recreation, planning, engineering, water, storm drain, refuse, and wastewater; and includes a municipal airport, golf course, and harbor. Santa Barbara serves as the county seat as well as the county's financial and retail center. Research and development, high tech, and light industry businesses play an important role in Santa Barbara's economy. Year-round tourism also produces jobs and revenue for the City. ABOUT US At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here . The mission of the City Administrator's Office is to "Provide leadership, direction, and oversight to City departments to accomplish goals and objectives approved by the City Council, in accordance with the City Charter". Read more about the City Administrator's Office here : City Administrator's Office .

Education / Training / Experience :

A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or a closely related field,

Seven years of increasingly responsible public information, public affairs, or media relations experience. At least two years of recent experience must include management / supervisory experience. Three years of experience of performing public relations in a municipal agency is highly desirable.

Bilingual Spanish / English fluency is highly desired.

Licenses, Certificates; Special Requirements :

A valid Class C California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's Vehicle Insurance Policy.

• See Class Specification here : City Class Specifications for full description of employment standards for this position. It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as "See application", "Extensive Experience", or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire. The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and / or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

Communication regarding your application and / or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails. OPEN & CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT : Because this recruitment is open and continuous, applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible. The filing period for an open and continuous recruitment may be closed at any time. FOR FIRST CONSIDERATION CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5 : 30 PM ON FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2023

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