DESCRIPTIONTHE 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 .
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGERThe Office of the City Manager has approximately 60 full and part-time employees focusing on City Council support, executive management, public affairs, intergovernmental relations, special events and filming, cannabis oversight and equity, climate action and sustainability, and ethics, transparency and equity. The mission is to implement programs in accordance with City Council policies, and the City Charter and Municipal Code, while providing organizational leadership for effective delivery of services to the community. The Office of the City Manager manages a budget of $27.1 million.
The Office of Public Affairs and Communications operates under the leadership of the City Manager and the Chief Communications Officer (CCO). It includes a Public Affairs Lead, Media Relations Specialist, Digital Communications Lead, Digital Communications Specialist, Strategic Communications Specialist and a Brand Specialist. The Office is now adding a Public Affairs Officer (PAO).
The Office is responsible for: City strategic communications; communications policy, guidance and training; the City’s primary social media accounts; the City’s media relations program; the City’s brand and a number of other communications-related activities. The Office is also responsible for the general oversight of City communications, working directly with communications staff in various departments. The Office works directly with the City Manager and closely with the Office of the Mayor
THE POSITIONThe City of Long Beach, Office of the City Manager has an immediate opening for a full-time, unclassified, at-will Public Affairs Officer to serve in the Office of Public Affairs and Communications. Under the direction of the Chief Communications Officer, the Public Affairs Officer will oversee the day-to-day activities of the Office. They will be responsible for the daily process flow of press releases, social media, digital communications, internal communications and visual brand.
Communications strategy, policy, vision and executive leadership are the responsibility of the Chief Communications Officer, and the CCO and PAO will meet regularly to make sure related communications projects, initiatives and programs are implemented.
The position is a hybrid schedule in which daily activities are generally conducted by telecommuting, however it is required that the Officer be ready and able to work in person if the need arises for activities like, but not limited to, press conferences, community events, site visits, as well as some trainings and meetings.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATEThe ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership qualities and project management skills. They must be highly communicative in all directions of the organization and be able to identify challenges early on in order to mitigate them appropriately and in a timely manner.
The ideal candidate must be able to manage the Office (process flow and staff) independently, under the general direction of the CCO.
The ideal candidate will lead with a positive, forward-thinking attitude.
The ideal candidate will have a proven understanding of and background in proactive and responsive communications standards, including media relations (press releases, press events and media responses/interviews), social media, digital communications, internal communications, and brand and graphic design.
The ideal candidate must be able to lead a team while actively participating in the day-to-day work. They must be able to lead effectively while working with a wide variety of people, both internal and external to the organization. They must consistently be proactive, and exercise tact and good judgment.
The ideal candidate will be flexible, with the ability to pivot as needed based on changing priorities. They will be able to successfully manage multiple assignments in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. The candidate must have excellent organizational and administrative skills.
The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills. They must be able to demonstrate creative thinking and problem-solving skills. They will lead with an equity mindset.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES- Implement daily activities related to strategic communications directed from the COO
- Oversee the daily operations of the Office of Public Affairs and Communications
- Review press releases, public notices, media advisories and press alerts for the Office of the City Manager and City departments
- Review and approve sensitive social media content and engagement
- Ensure the City brand remains strong
- Act as a City spokesperson when needed
- Respond to, or delegate responses to, media inquiries and/or coordinate with other departments and subject matter experts
- Review and approve internal and external newsletters from the Office of Public Affairs and Communications
- Review and approve publications from the Office of Public Affairs and Communications and ensure their timeliness and accuracy
- Write or delegate/review/approve city manager alerts and other internal communications
- Monitor news stories for accuracy
- Manage the coordination and implementation of media events and press conferences
- Develop communications training opportunities for City manager staff and departments
- Develop relationships with existing and new journalists
- Provide communications guidance to City departments as needed
- Coordinate with external partners regarding programs and initiatives
- Ensure the homepage of the City website is regularly refreshed with new content
- Ensure City web content that is overseen by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications is up-to-date and accurate
- Oversee project budgets and timely payment of vendor/contractor invoices
REQUIREMENTS TO FILEEducation:- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Creative Writing, Marketing or a closely related field (proof required*).
Experience:- Five (5) years of recent, progressively responsible experience in a communications capacity.
- Including one (3) year of recent supervisory or lead experience in communications.
Additional Requirements:- Proficiency in Associated Press (AP) Stylebook
- Valid Motor Vehicle Operator License
- Willingness and ability to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed
Desirable Qualifications:- Experience working in for a government or public agency
- Experience working with executive leadership
- Experience working with elected officials
- Bilingual skills (Spanish, Khmer or Tagalog)
Successful Candidates will Demonstrate:- Strong understanding of social media platforms
- General knowledge of brand and design
- Proficient in the use of computers; including email, internet, and office productivity software (e.g. Microsoft SharePoint, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint)
- General understanding of video conferencing and meeting programs
SELECTION PROCEDUREThis recruitment will close at 11:59 P.M. (Pacific Time) on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. T o be considered, applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and proof of education in PDF format. 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 contact (562) 570-7915.
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 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) 570-7915 .
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: 7/31/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
