Deputy Public Information Officer

DEPUTY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

Regular Full-Time Employment Opportunity

We are seeking a talented and energetic communications expert who has the vision and drive to lead a newly expanded team. Youll be responsible for public education and outreach for exciting projects in our thriving full-service city in the heart of Silicon Valley. Youll have the support of two communications professionals who oversee the citys web and social media channels. Dig in on important community topics such as major infrastructure investments (fire stations libraries utilities) greenhouse gas reduction Vision Zero goals housing needs and more. Are you adept at juggling multiple fast-paced projects Love guiding customers on the best communications approaches Have a track record for successful outreach campaigns You could be the perfect fit for our Sunnyvale Communications team!

(May include but are not limited to the following):

• Plans develops administers implements and oversees the daily functions operations and activities of the Citys Communications Division including planning organizing and managing internal and external communications on behalf of the City.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals objectives policies and priorities for the program; recommends within department policy appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Develops implements and supports the Citys marketing public information community engagement and internal and external communication activities.
• Coordinates edits and publishes various City communication deliverables including public newsletters press releases and other publications as needed.
• Leads the development and implementation of delivery outreach efforts forthe publicto connect with City services and programs; leads in planning City ceremonies workshops and meetings as assigned; plans special City events and celebrations as .
• Overseescontent management for the City website; establishes policies and standards related to the workflow content and look of website information; provides guidance and oversight to City departments regarding website and online content.
• Manages the Citys social media channels to ensure strong communication flow between the City and its residents including developing proposed responses on social media for executive and senior management; interfaces with other departments in the preparation and dissemination of news items.
• Maintains strong working relationships and serves as a liaison to City client departments; tracks and monitors division performance metrics; seeks opportunities to improve metrics and internal customer satisfaction.
• Prepares requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services including graphic design photography and videography; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications.
• Manages contracts and contractors to develop communications materials such as graphic design photography videography and video editing.
• Provides City-wide training in various aspects of community relations including media relations public speaking presentations and writing style.
• Provides complex and technical support to the Chief Public Information Officer in responding to major incidents including City emergencies; assists with the development of emergency response preparedness content templates and operating procedures.
• Assists the Chief Public Information Officerand other senior leadership with media relations responding to inquiries and initiating contact as required.
• Prepares media responses drafts media materials and maintains press relationships to the benefit of the City.
• Serves as liaison for assigned functions with other City departments divisions and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions committees and task forces as required.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Chief Public Information Officer; prepares reports and correspondence concerning new or ongoing programs and program effectiveness; prepares statistical reports as required; establishes and maintains working and official program files; ensures the proper documentation of operations and activities.
• Represents the City in meetings with members of other organizations community groups contractors and the public.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in communications multimedia technologies web page design social media and emergency communications.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Answers questions and provides information to the public; investigates and responds to complaints and inquiries from residents other departments and agencies.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules regulations and protocols.
• Oversee communications staff members andweb specialists on the team.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:
The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in public administration communications journalism public relations or related field; AND

Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in public communication public relations and journalism including prior experience in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles of providing functional direction and training.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and management.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Best practices for social media and digital content.
• Current principles techniques and objectives of professional journalistic methods including research publication and presentation.
• Legal ethical and professional rules of conduct for public sector employees including Fair Political Practices Commission rules and the Public Records Act.
• Principles and practices of marketing public information graphic design media and community relations and production.
• Public information and public relations concepts principles methodology and techniques.
• Various forms of mass media including print cable television radio and the Internet.
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) for digital accessibility compliance.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Recent and ongoing developments related to the assigned programs operations.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports and general business correspondence.
• Applicable federal state and local laws codes and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules regulations and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively working with the public vendors contractors and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words rules of composition and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program project and task coordination including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

• Plan organize oversee develop implement and administer a comprehensive public information program.
• Assist in developing and implementing goals objectives practices policies procedures and work standards.
• Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction.
• Prepare and administer budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Coordinate and manage assigned projects and programs.
• Conduct strategic planning for assigned projects.
• Collect evaluate and interpret information and data in statistical narrative and verbal form.
• Develop community relations and communications programs and strategies for the City.
• Effectively collaborate with staff to coordinate and implement communication campaigns using various mediums including digital print cable television radio and direct in-person tactics.
• Effectively express thoughts and facts clearly orally and in writing; demonstrate effective use of listening skills and display openness to other ideas and thoughts.
• Plan and conduct special events.
• Prepare and present organized and accurate oral reports statements and presentations.
• Research analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods procedures and techniques.
• Prepare maintain and update accurate detailed records and files.
• Interpret and evaluate statistical data.
• Understand interpret and apply all pertinent laws codes regulations policies and procedures and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the division and the City in meetings with governmental agencies community groups various business professional and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.
• Prepare clear and concise reports correspondence documentation and other written materials.
• Use tact initiative prudence and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Independently organize work set priorities meet critical deadlines and follow-up on assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish maintain and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Effectively use computer systems software applications relevant to work performed and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS & PROCESS

The application submitted must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the job description in order to move forward in the recruitment process with the City of Sunnyvale. The information provided in the Work Experience Education and Certificates/Licenses sections of the application will be used to determine if the application meets the minimum qualifications. A resume employment history provided elsewhere in the application or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application.

Note: The minimum qualifications for experience are based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Experience included in the Work Experience section of the application is calculated to the full-time equivalent (hours are pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week). Volunteer experience is not considered qualifying experience.

If you are interested in this opportunity please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resourcesby Thursday January 22 2026 at 5:00pm.

Candidates are asked to fully describe any training education experience or skills relevant to this position.Electronic applications may be submitted online through the Citys employment page at and click on JOBS. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position.Based upon a review of the application materials the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in theoral examination process scheduled for Monday February 9 2026. (Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources.)

SELECTION PROCESS

Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year in accordance with the Citys Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies.Top candidates on the eligibility list will be invited to participate in an in-personselection interview with the department tentatively scheduled for the week of February 23 2026.

Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process which may consist of a background history check as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION

Any successful candidate selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e. original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts).A candidate with education obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidates expense to determine its equivalency in the United States. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search education equivalency verification or similar online you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Positions in this job classification are represented by the Sunnyvale Managers Association (SMA).

For assistance on how to fill out your job application watch the following video:

• How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job- YouTube (5:13)

The City of Sunnyvale is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age race color religion sex national origin sexual orientation disability veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal state or local laws. The City of Sunnyvale is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability please contact us at or.