Communications Deputy (Legislative Assistant)

DESCRIPTION

THE POSITION

The Office of Mayor Rex Richardson is recruiting a Communications Deputy (Legislative Assistant) to serve as a vital member of the team, responsible for implementing strategic messaging, media engagement, and public outreach to elevate the visibility and priorities of the Mayor’s Office. The Deputy has the primary responsibility for writing and content development for press releases , speeches, talking points, social media, video storytelling , and other documents. They should have a deep understanding of th e Mayor ’s policy priorities, Long Beach’s diverse communities, and the media landscape.

THE COMMUNITY

Ideally located on the Pacific Ocean south of Los Angeles and just west of Orange County, Long Beach is the seventh-largest city in the State of California. Offering all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city, coupled with its strong sense of community and pride, Long Beach is one of the most vibrant communities in the country. The City has been referred to as the "Most Diverse City" in the country by USA Today and one of the "Best Communities for Young People" two years in a row. With its ideal location in Southern California, year-round comfortable climate, healthy business environment, and far-ranging cultural pursuits, the City is alive with activity.

CITY GOVERNMENT

Long Beach is a full-service Charter City governed by nine City Council m embers who are elected b y district and a Mayor that is elected at large. Elected officials also include the City Attorney, City Auditor, and City Prosecutor. The Council m embers and the Mayor are subject to a three-term limit, which allows them to serve for a maximum of twelve years. The City Council appoints a City Manager and a 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. The City of Long Beach provides all traditional public services. In addition to its traditional services, the City also maintains one of the world's busiest seaports, which serves as a leading gateway for international trade. Long Beach also has its own full-service commercial airport and is one of only three cities in California with its own Health Department. To learn more about the City of Long Beach, go to: www.longbeach.gov .

ABOUT THE MAYOR

Rex Richardson is the 29th Mayor of Long Beach and the city’s first African American mayor, known for his commitment to community empowerment and equitable development. A former City Councilmember and two-time Vice Mayor, Richardson now leads the nation's 44th largest city and serves as Chair of the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency (LACAHSA). Nationally, he co-chairs Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment, advancing bipartisan efforts to expand housing access. His “Opportunity Beach” agenda prioritizes housing and homelessness solutions, alongside economic recovery and public safety. A Harvard and Yale-trained civic leader, Richardson continues to champion policies that give every resident a fair chance to thrive.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Create a wide range of communications content , including media advisories, press releases, op-eds, e-blasts, social media posts, and visual materials.
  

• Support the Mayor’s participation in public events by preparing talking points, scripts, and remarks tailored to each audience.
  

• Capture, edit , and publish high-quality photo and video content using professional editing tools (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, Canva ) to highlight initiatives, events, and community programs.
  

• Manage the Mayor’s digital presence, including regular updates to social media platforms, ensuring timely and culturally competent messaging.
  

• Maintain consistent and high-quality branding and voice across all digital and print materials.
  

• Stay informed on City policies, initiatives, and programs to ensure accurate and timely public communication.
  

• Attend meetings and events with or on behalf of the Mayor and represent the Mayor’s voice and priorities with professionalism and integrity.
  

• Works effectively under tight deadlines in a dynamic, fast-paced, and high-pressure environment.
  

• May be assigned office correspondence and other related duties as required .
  

REQUIREMENTS TO FILE

• G raduated from an accredited university with a degree in communications, public policy, public administration, or a related field .
  

• Strong social media skills and proven success in using X ( Twitter ) , Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc .
  

• C omputer literacy, including knowledge of Adobe Suite , Canva, and Microsoft Office.
  

• Willingness to work a flexible schedule , including long hours, nights, and weekends.
  

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Preferred qualifications include 2 years of full-time experience working for a non-profit, business, or governmental agency in a similar role.
  

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL DEMONSTRATE

• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively present complex information in a concise ly .
  

• Experience preparing talking points or speeches for public figures or governmental offices .
  

• Excellent interpersonal skills and professional discretion, including maturity, keen judgment, self-confidence, integrity , and ability to handle confidential matters .
  

• B e a self-starter with strong problem-solving skills , as well as having the ability to work independently or as a member of a team .
  

• Ability to work effectively with and be sensitive to people of diverse cultural, educational , and socio-economic backgrounds .
  

• Ability to accept and respond to performance-based criticism and direction .
  

SELECTION PROCEDURE

This recruitment closes on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants must submit an online application, their cover letter and resume on NEOGOV. Cover letters should be addressed to Loren Simpson, Director of Communications . Incomplete applications or candidates who clearly do not meet the minimum requirements of the position will not be considered. The applications will be reviewed after August 22 , 2025 .

This position is an exempt, at-will position. The incumbent will not accrue any civil service tenure or contractual employment rights in such position. The Legislative Aide is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of the Council Office, and may be removed without cause.

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 an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value and encourage diversity in our workforce. 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) 570-4102 .

In support of the City's Language Access Policy, bilingual skills (Spanish, Khmer and/or Tagalog) are desirable for positions interacting with the public. This information is available in an alternative format by request at the agency contact on the bulletin. If a special accommodation is desired, please contact the agency two (2) business days prior to the test, if applicable .

Employee Benefits

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% @55 for "Classic" members and 2%@62 for new members as defined by PEPRA. Subject to employee contribution. 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 $550.00
  • Chief of Staff / Administrator / Principal DCA: $450.00
  • 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). City contributes 1% of employee's base pay to the employee's 401(a) plan; effective September 30, 2022, the City will contribute 2% of employee's base pay to the employee's 401(a) account. Employees may opt to contribute up to the IRS annual limits as well.
• 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: After six (6) months of City employment; up to 30 calendar days (160 hours) of PPL, taken in full-day increments, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of seventeen (17).

Management positions - Refer to the Job Posting brochure included in the job posting.

Closing Date/Time: 8/22/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Long Beach

• 5625707057

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