Communications Director

ABOUT US

At Sonoma County Library we bring information ideas and people together to build a stronger community. We are a hub where learning the arts technology and people intersect and thrive!

We are known nationally for our innovation and locally for our engaged creative and empowered staff. We rely on community input to guide our decisions and we proudly champion diversity and racial equity in all aspects of our organization.Libraries are for everyone.

Sonoma County Library values equity curiosity creativity compassion and trustworthiness. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in the recruiting and hiring of staff. Read more about the librarys mission vision and values here.

This is a tremendous opportunity to be part of a mission-driven public agency and help transform the literacy and education landscape for all Sonoma County residents. If you would join our team of dedicated professionals we invite you to apply.

Sonoma County Library

Announces an Employment Opportunity

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR ROHNERT PARK HEADQUARTERS

40 HOURS PER WEEK FULL TIME

THE POSITION:

Please see the attached job specifications for full details about this position.

Under direction of the Library Director the Communications Director is responsible for strategic oversight of the Librarys marketing and communications including planning writing producing and managing content for advertising marketing branding promotions public relations public affairs social media and internal and external communications for the library. This position oversees and supervises graphics and marketing staff.

The Communications Director works closely with the Library Director and Library Commission to advance the interests of the library with other public agencies including the county the incorporated cities school districts and nonprofit or private entities including advising the Library Director on public affairs matters and working under the Library Director to discuss agreements that support the librarys needs and initiatives.

TYPICAL TASKS include but are not limited to:

• Creates updates and administers a comprehensive marketing plan which includes regularly gathering community input and assessing needs in Sonoma County Librarys service area.
• Schedules trains supervises and evaluates professional and support staff.
• Identifies services resources and programs for marketing and promotional opportunities; develops strategies and carries out a wide range of marketing activities.
• Designs and conducts surveys and marketing and public opinion research as part of the evaluation of library services resources and programming and measures of library goals and initiatives.
• Plans writes edits proofreads and produces print and electronic publications and presentations such as newsletters and Library News; manages internal and external communications.
• Manages the library brand ensuring consistency in visual brand elements as well as written tone naming and other branding guidelines.
• Oversees library social media policy and strategy coordinating with authorized contributors across the organization to ensure its effectiveness.

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way of gaining the knowledge and skills is:

Education: Bachelors Degree preferred with significant coursework in marketing business administration communications journalism public information and relations.

Experience:Minimum four (4) years demonstrated experience in internal/external marketing communications and public affairs experience and at least two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Licenses: Possession of a valid California Drivers License.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Integrated marketing public affairs and public relations strategies as well as market analysis and research techniques.
• Branding principles and tactics in a variety of media and formats.
• Media production communication and dissemination techniques including social media
• Modern library services and materials as well as standard office and library equipment
• Principles techniques and methods of marketing public affairs public relations promotions and fundraising.

Ability to:

• Handle multiple work assignments and interruptions prioritize projects and meet strict deadlines
• Recognize and define problems collect data establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• Work under general supervision with latitude in exercising independent judgment to maximize efficient workflow
• Interact tactfully and courteously with customers both internal and external
• Plan organize develop and implement outreach coordination with staff public officials and community.
• Analyze problems think creatively identify problems and recommend methods of resolution.

SALARY RANGE: $57.99/hour to $72.42/hour plus benefits

CLOSING DATE: 11:59 PM Wednesday December 3 2025

• Creates updates and administers a comprehensive marketing plan which includes regularly gathering community input and assessing needs in Sonoma County Librarys service area; identifying opportunities to attract and engage new users and retain current ones; and successfully promoting the Librarys core resources services and programs.
• Effectively communicates the librarys mission goals value accomplishments and activities to media representatives community leaders elected officials board members and other key constituencies.
• Identifies services resources and programs for marketing and promotional opportunities; develops strategies and carries out a wide range of marketing activities.
• Directs media relations; creates and maintains effective relationships with media; represents and speaks for library to media; solicits media coverage of the library services and programs; produces and distributes news releases.
• Plans directs coordinates and reviews the day-to-day work of staff; prioritizes work activities projects and programs; monitors workflow; reviews and evaluates work products methods and procedures.
• Selects and trains new personnel; provides coaching and regular evaluation of staff performance.
• Plans writes edits proofreads and produces print and electronic publications and presentations such as newsletters and Library News; manages internal and external communications.
• Manages the library brand ensuring consistency in visual brand elements as well as written tone naming and other branding guidelines.
• Oversees library social media policy and strategy coordinating with authorized contributors across the organization to ensure its effectiveness; encourages adoption of relevant social media techniques for promotion of library resources and services.
• Designs and conducts surveys and marketing and public opinion research as part of the evaluation of library services resources and programming and measures of library goals and initiatives.
• Manages prioritizes and directs departmental workflow to ensure efficient and timely completion of content development design and production requests from internal departments.
• Assures design integrity visual quality effective communication and publication style of the librarys website; in collaboration with the Information Technology division collaborates on development of website enhancements; serves on the Website Workgroup.
• Plans and organizes library-wide public relations campaigns special events and programs. Supports fund development activities as assigned.
• Advises divisions and administration regarding public relations and communications needs.
• Identifies and supervises external freelance resource pool as needed to meet all scheduled deliverables.
• Represents the library at public functions and serves as library liaison to community groups as assigned. Participates in departmental meetings library-wide committees and performs other duties as assigned.
• Oversees library communications across multiple venues and formats in order to ensure consistency in messaging and use of the SCL brand.
• Manages prioritizes and assists with the creation and distribution of promotional content in a variety of formats.
• Supports existing partnerships and builds new ones in a manner that capitalizes on the librarys strengths.
• Works cooperatively with public community groups business leaders government officials members of the media and departmental staff.
• Represents the Library in various external and internal relations such as city council meetings Board of Supervisor meetings and other community meetings and events.
• Establishes and maintains contact with individuals and community groups committed to library services.
• Develops knowledge of branch libraries and the ways communities can interact with library events and programs.
• Manages media response relationship building follow up and management of a media contact database.
• Participates in and contributes to the Librarys Strategic Plan in conjunction with the Library Management Team.
• Develops and manages marketing and outreach activities such as brand development and marketing and advertising plans for related programs.
• Conducts and manages research and survey efforts; develops and uses performance metrics.
• Works closely with related associations to maximize marketing efforts; stays abreast of new and underdeveloped target groups and populations.
• Develops procedures and methods to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness in the Communications department; assesses and monitors workload and support systems; identifies opportunities for process improvement and makes recommendations to the Library Director.
• Prepares a variety of written correspondence including reports procedures policies and memos.
• Maintains current knowledge of job-specific functions tasks procedures resources and technology with focus on public services.
• Maintains knowledge of the software and devices used by library staff and library patrons such as MS Office suite Adobe Creative Suite the integrated library system (Horizon) library eResources and various devices used by patrons to access online library materials (such as Kindles Nooks Hublets and iPads).
• Supports the Library Director and Deputy Library Director in working on a variety of long-range projects.
• Submits budget needs to Library Director annually and manages division budget.
• Performs other duties and special projects as requested.

• Integrated marketing public affairs and public relations strategies as well as market analysis and research techniques.
• Branding principles and tactics in a variety of media and formats.
• Media production communication and dissemination techniques including social media
• Fundamental principles and best practices in visual/graphic design.
• Sound budgetary practices and development monitoring and implementation of a department budget.
• Modern library services and materials as well as standard office and library equipment
• Principles techniques and methods of marketing public relations promotions and fundraising.
• Data collection research methodology and application of basic statistics.
• Library operations functions and services provided.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision including work planning assignment review and evaluation and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles practices and professional ethics of group interaction and interpersonal dynamics.
• Principles methods and procedures utilized in organization change and problem solving.
• Organizational practices as applied to the analysis evaluation development and implementation of programs policies and procedures.
• Research and reporting methods techniques and procedures.
• Applicable federal state and local laws regulatory codes ordinances and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and evaluation and budget tracking.
• Recent and ongoing developments current literature and sources of information related to marketing public affairs and public information activities.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices methods and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage grammar spelling vocabulary and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public vendors contractors and Library staff.
• Supervision techniques in a bargaining unit environment.

• Handle multiple work assignments and interruptions prioritize projects and meet strict deadlines
• Recognize and define problems collect data establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• Work under general supervision with latitude in exercising independent judgment to maximize efficient workflow
• Interact tactfully and courteously with customers both internal and external
• Plan organize develop and implement outreach coordination with staff public officials and community.
• Analyze problems think creatively identify problems and recommend methods of resolution.
• Engage audiences of all sizes ages and types through public speaking.
• Identify marketing opportunities and provide content for marketing materials.
• Understand specialized communication tools including email internet and social media at an intermediate to advanced level.
• Exhibit excellent analytical organizational project and time management skills
• Develop implement and manage budgets.
• Develop strategic plans and assess outcomes.
• Supervise the performance of contract marketing persons.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Produce clear and organized written materials using proper sentence structure grammar spelling and punctuation.
• Work cooperatively with others to organize the communications efforts of the library.
• Remain flexible and adapt to a dynamic environment.
• Work a schedule that may include evenings and weekends.
• Assist in the development of goals objectives policies procedures and work standards for the department.
• Plan organize and carry out assignments from the Library Director with minimal direction.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations procedures policies or methods.
• Prepare clear and concise reports correspondence policies procedures and other written materials.
• Interpret apply explain and ensure compliance with applicable federal state and local policies procedures laws and regulations.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing record keeping and tracking systems.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner.
• Operate and maintain modern office equipment including computers scanners and printers.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person over the telephone and in writing.
• Use tact initiative prudence and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines especially in politically sensitive situations.
• Establish maintain and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain integrity autonomy and self-motivation to work independently and initiate projects.

APPLY AT:

must be complete and submitted by the final filing date in order to be considered. Please ensure that all applicable work experience is listed on the application.Resumes will not substitute for a completed application.

Calculating Experience for Minimum Requirements: Sonoma County Library considers 2080 hours as one year of experience (equivalent to 40 hours per week for 52 weeks).

The application process may contain one or more of the following steps: a supplemental application written test(s) skills assessment(s) and/or oral examination(s).Candidates who pass the application screening for Minimum Qualifications will be required to take skills assessments to continue the recruitment process. The assessments vary depending on the job classification. Candidates who are invited to test will receive an invitation listing the specific assessments they have been assigned.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION:

Employment offers will be contingent upon a successful pre-employment verification/criminal records clearance. Having a criminal record will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment.

REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATION: Sonoma County Library will make reasonable accommodations in the recruitment process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. If you are invited to participate in an examination or interview and have a disability for which you require an accommodation please contact the Human Resources Department at extension 1591 as soon as possible to make arrangements for your accommodation. Requesting accommodations at least 3 working/business days before the scheduled event will help to ensure availability. For further information regarding disability accommodations provided by the Library and related matters see the Librarys website at County Library values diversity empowerment community unity kindness connection and equity. Weare committed to diversity and inclusion in the recruiting and hiring of staff.

Recruitment Contact

Contact phone:

ext.1591

Contact email: