PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

Job Description:

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

Description

DESCRIPTION

A ppointment to this position is expected to be at or below the midpoint $128,776.71 of the salary range, however, the final amount will be carefully determined based on the candidate's knowledge, skills, qualifications, and an evaluation of internal equity within the organization.

THE COMMUNITY

The City of Long Beach is located south of Los Angeles and adjacent to Orange County, making it an idyllic location with oceanside activities, diverse culture, and a unique economy. Long Beach is home to approximately 470,000 residents living across the area’s 51 square miles, including 169 parks with 26 community centers and many public spaces. This community is one of the most diverse in the United States, making it an excellent place to learn about and immerse yourself in various cultures. When you live in Long Beach, you get to enjoy the Southern California climate all year long, making surfing, hiking, golfing, and other outdoor activities popular in this area. Biking is a favorite pastime among residents, as this area is bike friendly. Walking around town is also easy, considering the City was rated the 10th “Most Walkable City” of over 100 cities globally. Long Beach features six miles of beaches and many parks and public spaces, as well as the Long Beach Convention Center, Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary, and the annual IndyCar Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

CITY GOVERNMENT

Long Beach is a full-service Charter City formed in 1897, governed by nine City Council members who are elected by district and a mayor that is elected at-large. Elected officials also include the City Attorney, City Auditor, and City Prosecutor. The Council Members and the Mayor are subject to a three-term limit, which allows them to serve for a maximum of 12 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 Council appoints the City Manager, City Clerk, and Director of Police Oversight. The City Manager is responsible for the efficient administration of all City departments, excluding those under 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 (Water and Gas) and Energy Resources Departments. The City is supported by a FY 2025 total budget of $3.6 billion with a General Fund budget of $752 million. More than 6,000 full- and part-time employees support municipal operations with the majority being represented by eleven recognized employee associations. To learn more about the City of Long Beach, go to: www.longbeach.gov .

DEPARTMENT

The Department of Health and Human Services has been improving the health of the Long Beach community for over a century, and Long Beach is one of only three municipal health jurisdictions in the State of California, as well as one of three City homeless continuums of care in Los Angeles County. The Department recently received public health reaccreditation and works to address matters of public health and safety, including communicable disease, strengthening the public safety net, and equitable access to care. Of the Department’s $170 million budget, more than 80% comes from grant funding. The Department is overseen by the Director of Health and Human Services and has more than 55 programs serving the health and wellness of the City. It is organized into seven bureaus-Community Health, Communicable Disease and Emergency Response, Collective Impact, Environmental Health, Homeless Services, the Housing Authority, and Administrative and Financial Services. The Department operates its programs and services as efficiently and effectively as possible, using technology, innovation, and creativity to enhance the quality of services provided to the Long Beach community.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Reporting to the Department Director, this position will provide complex technical support in the development, implementation, and assessment of an effective communications strategy for the Health and Human Services Department, including external communications, media relations, and internal communications.

Position duties include:

• Plans, schedules, assigns, reviews, supervises and participates in the work of staff in the Public Affairs Office;
• Manages communications staff and evaluates employee performance;

• Oversees the public relations and outreach duties for the Department, including press releases, as well as working with City Departments and elected official to publicize and promote projects, events, activities and accomplishments;

• Maintains content and branding consistency;

• Monitors media coverage and public sentiment;

• Demonstrates sound judgment when dealing with vulnerable populations and sensitive information;

• Develops and tracks key performance indicators related to Communications;

• Oversees content creation for all Department social media channels.;

• Manages the Department website;

• Serves as the Department's spokesperson with the media and community, including during emergency responses.

• Coordinates press conferences and related materials;

• Oversees the development of external publications and advertising/marketing collateral;

• Works in cross-functional teams with Departments across the City and with City leadership to uplift high profile programs and initiatives;

• Coordinates graphic design for digital and printed collateral with internal staff and City vendors;

• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with City policies and procedures.

• Maintain availability to respond to urgent matters and emergencies outside of regular business hours when necessary ;

• Works occasional non-traditional work hours for presence at various special events and meetings;

• Performs other related duties as required.

REQUIREMENTS TO FILE

EDUCATION

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Affairs, Journalism, English, Public Administration, or a closely related field. (Proof required.)
  • Candidates may substitute experience offering specific and substantial preparation for the duties of the position for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

EXPERIENCE

• Three (3) years of full-time, progressively responsible relevant professional experience overseeing public affairs and/or serving as a public affairs/information officer.
• A minimum of one (1) year of the required experience must have been in a management or supervisory capacity.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree in Communications, Public Affairs, Journalism, English, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
• Professional experience performing communications work related to public health.
• Experience working in for a government or public agency.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

This recruitment will close on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 11:59 pm. To be considered, applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, proof of education (if qualifying). 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 before 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) 570-7165.

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 committed to maintaining fairness and transparency in our hiring practices. We believe in providing equal opportunities to all applicants and ensuring that every applicant is evaluated based on their qualifications and merit. If you believe that you have been unjustly disqualified based on minimum qualifications for an unclassified job opportunity, you have the right to appeal the decision. Find out more about the Unclassified Applicant Appeal Process by visiting the Applicant Appeal Process (longbeach.gov) .

The City of Long Beach intends to provide reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If special accommodation is desired, or if you would like to request this information in an alternative format, please call (562) 570-7165.

In support of the City’s Language Access Policy, bilingual skills (Spanish, Khmer and/or Tagalog) are desirable for positions interacting with the public.

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: 9/27/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$106,051.90 - $151,501.52 Annually