Community and Media Relations Specialist

Job Description:

Community and Media Relations Specialist

Description

The Position

Bargaining Unit: Local 856 - General Services & Maintenance Unit

We are excited to announce a recruitment for the countywide position of Community and Media Relations Specialist. There is currently one (1) vacancy in the Office of the Public Defender and one (1) vacancy in the Probation Department.

Other departments throughout the County may use the eligible list from this recruitment to fill future vacancies as well.

Why join the Office of the Public Defender?
The Office of the Public Defender is dedicated to ensuring justice for indigent persons accused of crimes in Contra Costa County. At CCPD, we believe in innovative and zealous advocacy for our clients. The CCPD core philosophy is that justice can only be served when the most vulnerable among us are treated with the same attention and dignity as the most powerful. The Office of the Public Defender takes a holistic approach to representing its clients, including but not limited to support services by social workers, law clerks, legal assistants, immigration experts, a forensic attorney expert, a mental health unit, a clean slate unit, and post-conviction relief representation. CCPD fosters practices and policies that promote equity, racial justice, diversity, and inclusion.

The departmental Community and Media Relations Coordinator will serve the department as the primary Public Information Officer and spearhead community relations through our Stand Together Contra Costa, Clean Slate, and the Racial Justice and Police Misconduct programs. This position is critical for the Public Defender to fulfill our core mission.

Why join the Probation Department?
The Probation Department is seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Community and Media Relations Specialist to support the Department’s internal and external communications strategies. This role will assist in managing the Department’s online presence, creating engaging content, and promoting public awareness of probation-related programs, services, and initiatives. This position may involve a combination of in-office and remote work. The role requires collaboration with various levels of staff and may involve occasional attendance at community events or departmental programs outside standard business hours.

Working under the direction of the Departmental Community & Media Relations Coordinator, the Community and Media Relations Specialist will assist with media inquiries, content development, digital outreach, and community engagement efforts.

We are looking for someone who is:

• A great communicator. We have a big team and communication is key to success.
• Creative. You will need to gain attention in the digital space.
• Proactive. You should be willing to take initiative but know when to ask for help.
• Flexible. Things can change quickly, and you will need to adjust.
• Organized. You will act as a project manager and must track many tasks simultaneously.
• A team player. We have a strong group and seek others to work hard alongside us.
• Compassionate. You should be understanding of public sentiment and frustration often shared online, including sympathy and concern for others.
• Aware. You will need to address issues impacting different cultural groups.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Drafting and editing press releases, media advisories, public statements, and other external communications.
• Supporting media relations by coordinating responses to media inquiries, preparing briefing materials, and helping facilitate interviews or press events.
• Assisting in developing content for newsletters, reports, website updates, and internal communications.
• Creating and managing content for social media platforms in coordination with the Communications team.
• Tracking media coverage and compiling daily or weekly news summaries relevant to the Department’s mission and activities.
• Assisting with photography, videography, and visual storytelling for campaigns, events, or recognition efforts.
• Helping plan and support logistics for public events, community forums, and outreach efforts.
• Maintaining accurate records of media contacts, publications, and communications materials.
• Ensuring all communications align with the Department’s mission, confidentiality requirements, and public sector standards.
• Maintaining awareness of emerging trends, best practices, and public discourse related to probation, criminal justice reform, and public safety communications.
• Identifying opportunities to align department messaging with current issues and narratives to enhance relevance and public engagement.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will have the opportunity to improve the reputation of the department.
• You will contribute to services that are highly visible and in demand.
• You will have the opportunity to develop and implement the overall strategic goals of the organization.
• You will be helping the community.
• You will have the opportunity to engage in a broad range of communications projects to educate and engage the community.
• You will work on a cohesive team with individuals who are passionate about their job.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will be expected to support services that require 24/7 communications response.
• You will work in an environment where communications services are in high demand, and tasks and priorities often shift..
• You will need to adapt to changing expectations and potentially inconsistent operations.
• You will work in a busy, fast-paced, and deadline-driven environment.
• You may not always have control over the outcome of your work.

Competencies Required:

• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Design Sense: Creating work products that are functional, intuitive and aesthetically pleasing
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Communication: (Oral/Written/Informing) Engaging effectively in dialogue; Communicating effectively in writing; Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Interpersonal Savvy: Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications

To read the complete job description, please visit the website, www.cccounty.us/hr .

The employment list established by this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months.
The Eligible List created from this recruitment may be used to fill vacancies in other Contra Costa County Departments.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Journalism, English, Mass Communications, Marketing, or a closely related field.

Experience: One year of full-time (or its equivalent) experience performing public relations, media advocacy or other related work.

Substitution for Academic Major: One year of additional experience as the type described above may be substituted for the academic major.

Selection Process

1. Application Filing and Evaluation: All applicants must apply online at www.cccounty.us/hr and submit the information as indicated on the job announcement and supplemental questionnaire by the final filing date. Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.

2. Written Performance Assessment: The assessment will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the job. In the assessment, candidates must achieve an average passing score of 70% or higher on each of the competencies and an overall passing score of 70% or higher. These may include, but are not limited to: Critical Thinking, Fact Finding, Design Sense, Writing, and Informing. Candidates will need access to a computer and internet. (Weighted 100%)

Tentative Dates:

Written Performance Assessment: August 22-28, 2025

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Angelica Tran at Angelica.Tran@hrd.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources Department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 8/13/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$88,231.44 - $107,245.88 Annually