Public Communication Specialist II

VTA is seeking an experienced and strategic communicator to join our Community Engagement team as a Public Communication Specialist II. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled professional who thrives at the intersection of public outreach storytelling and community impact.

In this journey-level role you will lead communications efforts that shape how VTA connects with residents stakeholders and employees across Santa Clara County. From developing public awareness campaigns and writing compelling materials to supporting major transportation initiatives such as the Valley Transportation Plan and Complete Streets projects this position plays a vital role in advancing VTAs mission to deliver sustainable and accessible mobility solutions.

The ideal candidate is a strong writer confident presenter and collaborative partner with experience in community engagement marketing journalism or public relations and a passion for serving diverse communities through inclusive and innovative communication strategies.

Join a team committed to keeping Silicon Valley informed engaged and moving forward.

About the Community Engagement Division

The VTA Community Engagement Team is committed to sharing up-to-date planning and construction project information with residents businesses stakeholders and the general public. As an integral part of Government & Public Affairs we engage with the public and welcome participation and feedback on critical transportation initiatives impacting their neighborhoods and their lives.

Our core professional team values:

• Inform and engage our communities including providing information in the language of the community
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Apply best and innovative communication and outreach practices

Please feel free to call on us as a resource to help ensure a successful project implementation. We look forward to working with you!

Current Projects

• BART - Phase I (ext. to Berryessa)
• BART - Phase II (ext. to Downtown to San Jose)
• Bus Rapid Transit Program
• Capitol Expressway Light Rail Extension
• Complete Streets Program and Countywide Bike Plan
• Highway Improvements (I-280 and I-680 corridors; Mathilda/101 Interchange projects)
• Silicon Valley Express Lanes Program
• Transit Improvement Program (Next Network and Light Rail Efficiency Project)
• VTP 2040
• Other Planning and Construction Projects

About VTA

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area VTA is Santa Clara Countys authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus) congestion management transportation-related funding highway design and construction real estate and transit-oriented development and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local state and federal partners VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable accessible community-focused transportation options that are innovative environmentally responsible and promote the vitality of our region.

VTA provides bus light rail and paratransit services as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain Capitol Corridor and the Altamont Corridor Express.

As the countys congestion management agency VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning including congestion management design and construction of specific highway pedestrian and bicycle improvement projects as well as promotion of transit oriented development.

VTA provides these services throughout the county including Campbell Cupertino Gilroy Los Altos Los Altos Hills Los Gatos Milpitas Monte Sereno Morgan Hill Mountain View Palo Alto San Jose Santa Clara Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.
As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.

For more information about our VTA Forward Plan visit: Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)

The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.

Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave lactation accommodation and work/family balance.

Typical Tasks

• Initiates the concept development coordination conduct and evaluation of marketing outreach public awareness public and news media relations and other promotional efforts;
• Develops writes and edits written materials for advertisements news releases brochures pamphlets promotional events campaigns VTA internal communications and other public information projects;
• Initiates develops and sustains professional partnerships with public and private sector organizations;
• Responds to daily information requests from the public in person via telephone and Internet and in writing;
• Prepares and presents information regarding VTA projects to the public and VTA employees;
• Plans and coordinates events and promotions for VTA employees and for the public; may provide event photography;
• Interviews VTA officials VTA employees representatives from various groups and organizations and the public to secure and verify information;
• Coordinates internal and external project activities including public meetings;
• Assists in scheduling negotiating cost and purchasing media space and time;
• Prepares reports requiring the collection and analysis of data from a variety of sources;
• May assist with developing and maintaining website content;
• May lead and train other staff;
• Responds to media inquiries on an on-call 24-hour basis as assigned;
• May participate in meetings and promotions on weekends and evenings;
• Performs related work as required.

Employment Standards

Sufficient training education and experience to demonstrate the knowledge skills and abilities required for this role.

Typically obtained through graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in communications journalism marketing public relations public affairs or a related field and two (2) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in public communications media relations community outreach marketing or journalism.

Qualifying experience may include writing and editing public-facing materials supporting outreach campaigns responding to community concerns and delivering presentations to internal and external audiences.

A combination of education and directly related professional experience may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Experience with digital communications website content social media engagement and communications supporting public infrastructure or government programs is highly desirable.

Possession of a valid California drivers license or the ability to travel independently to outreach meetings and events is required at the time of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting communications or outreach efforts for a public agency transportation organization or large-scale infrastructure project
• Demonstrated success developing public awareness campaigns and community engagement strategies
• Experience writing for diverse audiences including executive leadership local officials and community members.
• Knowledge of equity-centered outreach practices and language access principles
• Proficiency with digital communications tools including social media platforms web content management systems and multimedia storytelling
• Bilingual communication skills (Spanish Vietnamese Chinese Tagalog etc.) are a plus
• Experience coordinating public meetings open houses or community events including evening/weekend availability

Knowledge of:

• Principles techniques and methods of effective public communications public relations news media communications and community outreach;
• Key criteria for partnership development and maintaining effective professional relationships;
• Principles and techniques of preparing advertising writing copy layout and production;
• Customs and practices of all forms of public information media;
• Techniques of interviewing;
• Standard English usage spelling grammar and punctuation.

• Plan write and produce internal and external communications materials for publication;
• Compile and analyze data from a variety of sources to draft news releases;
• Complete multiple assignments efficiently and meet established deadlines in a fast paced team environment;
• Communicate ideas and concepts through creative writing and through presentations to large and small groups;
• Conceptualize print and broadcasting advertising.

General Application Instructions

Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.

To be considered applications must besubmittedonlinethrough the Human Resources departmentby the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as continuous we encourage you to apply as soon as possible as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application issubmitted you will receive an immediate email confirmation.

Personalized responses to Supplemental Questions that connect your past experiences to this specific role are the most effective. AI-generated content may lack the specificityrequiredto address the key criteria outlined in the job description. While we encourage the use of AI as a tool to enhance your work we want to evaluate your non-AI-assisted communication skills. You may use AI to generate ideas but please ensure your final responses are in your own voice and reflect your unique experience. Overreliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish your chances of success.

Important:Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications resumes Job Interest Notification Cards or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.

Communication & Contact Information
All updatesregardingyour applicationincluding notices for testing and interviewswill be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication andmaintaina valid up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.

Due to the high volume of applications we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support contact NEOGOV at Monday through Friday 8:00 AM 5:00 PM (PST) excluding holidays.

Application Review & Processing
Allcurrent and prior relevant work experienceincluding experience with VTAmust be fully detailedin the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as see resume are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected even if you meet the minimum qualifications.

While you are welcome to upload a resume it doesnot substitutefor completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.

Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process todeterminewhether candidates meet theminimum qualifications. Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration. Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications experience education or training may result in disqualification and/or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA.

This classification is represented byService Employees International Union (SEIU) Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees(AFSCME)Transportation AuthorityEngineersand Architects Association(TAEA).Wages hours and other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between VTA and the union.

Tentative Examinations:

Oral Panel: Tentatively expected to be scheduled around the second week of March.

Conditions of Employment

Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background checkreference checks verification of education or certifications and a criminal history review before appointment.

For sensitivepositions VTArequires all safety-sensitive positions to have a 6-month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA-contracted Concentra Location.

Eligibility List

The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies andadditionalvacancies that may occur. Eligible Lists typicallyremainin effect for six (6) months. However Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations

VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation please contact the Human Resources Department at or emailat least five business days before the test.

Equal Employment Opportunity

VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employeeson the basis ofage ancestry color marital status mental or physical disability genetic information national origin immigration status political affiliation race religion creed sex gender identity gender expression sexual orientation pregnancy medical condition disabled veteran or veteran status etc.