Communications Specialist
Apply NowCompany: City of Berkeley, CA
Location: Berkeley, CA 94704
Description:
Salary : $108,558.53 - $128,788.61 Annually
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2025-03-9011
Department: City-Wide
Opening Date: 03/31/2025
Closing Date: 4/14/2025 5:00 PM Pacific
BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR BERKELEY
is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.
As an employer, the City of Berkeley offers all the benefits of a career in the public sector while fostering diversity, creativity, and innovation. Join a team of high-caliber, experienced staff with a shared mission of serving the Berkeley community and promoting an accessible, safe, healthy, environmentally-sound and culturally-rich city.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Communications Specialist where the current vacant position is in the Library Department! In this role, you will perform professional public communication duties to facilitate Library initiatives that include the coordination and dissemination of information to the public and media; develops methods and techniques for accomplishing improved communication between the general community, special targeted audiences, the media and the City.
This eligible list can also be used in the City Manager's Office and Charter departments within the City.
See the full job class specification here:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is:
Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field and four years of responsible professional public communications, media relations, public relations or content-development experience including the development and implementation of communication programs.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, the incumbent is required to maintain a valid California driver's license as well as a satisfactory driving record.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants must submit a completed application no later than April 14, 2025 (5 P.M.). Postmarks, faxes and incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.
EXAM PROCESS
The examination process will include, but may not be limited to:Application review for minimum qualifications and required documents Competitive review and assessment of supplemental questionnaire, education/training, and experience Oral Board Exam and Writing Exercise (tentative week of June 2, 2025)
Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.
Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to hr@berkeleyca.gov at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS
Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, other credentials, credit check, criminal history check, and Live Scan fingerprinting.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER
The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.
Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.
Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.
Retirement
CalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).
Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (SRIP)
The City contributes 6.7% of the first $32,400 of the employee's salary (up to $2,170 annually) into a 401(a) account. The City is not a member of Social Security, therefore only the Medicare portion is deducted from employees' salaries.
Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.
Medical Plans
Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plus HMO. The City contributes up to 100% of the family premium for the Kaiser plan, or up to 99% of the family premium for the Sutter Health Plus plan. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Dental Plan
The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $2,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $2,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a $25,000 Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.
Sick Leave
Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.
Vacation
New employees accrue 2 weeks of vacation annually, with an increase to 3 weeks annually after 4 years of service.
Holidays
14 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually
YMCA Membership
The City provides a subsidy of 75% of the membership fee for employees who choose to join the Downtwon Berkeley YMCA.
(UNREP - GENERAL)
01
Please indicate your highest level of education completed.
02
If you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, in which of these areas do you have major coursework?
03
Please indicate your years of experience with responsible professional public communications, media relations, public relations or content development including the development and implementation of communication programs.
04
Please indicate all of the areas in which you have work experience:
05
Please describe your experience, including years of experience, for all the areas above in which you indicated experience. Provide sufficient detail so that we can evaluate your experience.
06
Please describe your experience incorporating the needs of traditionally underserved communities in communications, including those with disabilities, non-English or limited English speakers or readers, or those in the lowest income brackets'.
07
How do you think City Departments can serve the community through public information? How do you view the role of government public information and how it differs from other types of communications?
08
I acknowledge that I have reviewed all my answers to all above supplemental questions for accuracy.
Required Question
Location : Berkeley, CA
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 2025-03-9011
Department: City-Wide
Opening Date: 03/31/2025
Closing Date: 4/14/2025 5:00 PM Pacific
BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR BERKELEY
is a small city with a big reputation. At just ten square miles of land and seven square miles of water, Berkeley is famous around the globe as a center for academic achievement, scientific exploration, free speech, and the arts, and home to over 50 parks, a top-ranked university, and the largest public marina in the San Francisco Bay.
As an employer, the City of Berkeley offers all the benefits of a career in the public sector while fostering diversity, creativity, and innovation. Join a team of high-caliber, experienced staff with a shared mission of serving the Berkeley community and promoting an accessible, safe, healthy, environmentally-sound and culturally-rich city.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
The City of Berkeley invites you to apply for the position of Communications Specialist where the current vacant position is in the Library Department! In this role, you will perform professional public communication duties to facilitate Library initiatives that include the coordination and dissemination of information to the public and media; develops methods and techniques for accomplishing improved communication between the general community, special targeted audiences, the media and the City.
This eligible list can also be used in the City Manager's Office and Charter departments within the City.
See the full job class specification here:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A typical way of gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position is:
Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field and four years of responsible professional public communications, media relations, public relations or content-development experience including the development and implementation of communication programs.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Must be able to travel to various locations within and outside the City of Berkeley to meet program needs and to fulfill the job responsibilities. When driving on City business, the incumbent is required to maintain a valid California driver's license as well as a satisfactory driving record.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants must submit a completed application no later than April 14, 2025 (5 P.M.). Postmarks, faxes and incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes are not a substitute for a completed application.
EXAM PROCESS
The examination process will include, but may not be limited to:
- Oral Board Exam (60%)
- Written Exercise (40%)
Tests may consist of any combination of written, oral or other exercises or assessment procedures that test content and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, typing, math, reading, writing and analytical skills; problem solving ability; computer and software proficiency, or any other job-related knowledge, skill, ability or qualification. The examination process and dates are subject to change. The City may, without notice, change or eliminate any assessment component as needs dictate. Applicants passing all examination phases will have their names placed on an employment eligible list that hiring departments will use to conduct final selection interviews.
Reasonable Accommodations: The City is committed to making reasonable accommodations in the examination process and in the work environment. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in the examination process must submit a request in writing to hr@berkeleyca.gov at the time of application.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESS
Candidates under final consideration for employment with the City will undergo an employment background/reference check that may include, but is not limited to: employment history, confirmation of educational credentials and degrees, licenses including driver's license, registrations, certificates, other credentials, credit check, criminal history check, and Live Scan fingerprinting.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) EMPLOYER
The City of Berkeley is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All employment actions shall be administered regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, physical or mental disability or medical condition, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, veterans' status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All City employees are required to provide services as Disaster Service Workers in the event of an emergency/disaster.
Benefited employees receive a myriad of financial and other , including CalPERS pension and other retirement plans, medical and dental coverage, tuition reimbursement, paid time off and more.
Benefit-eligible employees include those with a regular work schedule of at least 20 hours per week. Employees working less than 30 hours per week may receive pro-rated benefits.
Retirement
CalPERS
City employees are included in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). The retirement formula is either 2% at age 62 (PEPRA members) or 2.7% at age 55 (Classic members).
Supplemental Retirement Income Plan (SRIP)
The City contributes 6.7% of the first $32,400 of the employee's salary (up to $2,170 annually) into a 401(a) account. The City is not a member of Social Security, therefore only the Medicare portion is deducted from employees' salaries.
Deferred Compensation
The City offers voluntary 457 deferred compensation plans with CalPERS or Empower. Employees may contribute up to the IRS maximum on a pre-tax basis.
Medical Plans
Employees can choose coverage under Kaiser HMO or Sutter Health Plus HMO. The City contributes up to 100% of the family premium for the Kaiser plan, or up to 99% of the family premium for the Sutter Health Plus plan. Employees who have medical coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided medical coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Dental Plan
The City provides group dental benefits through Delta Dental of California. The City contributes up to the family coverage for the plan, which covers 90% of the dental charges up to $2,000 annually per person. Orthodontic benefits are offered at a $2,000 lifetime maximum per person. Employees who have dental coverage under another group plan may choose to waive City-provided dental coverage and receive a monthly stipend.
Life Insurance
The City provides employees with a $25,000 Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy. Employees have the option to purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $300,000.
Sick Leave
Employees earn one day of paid sick leave per month.
Vacation
New employees accrue 2 weeks of vacation annually, with an increase to 3 weeks annually after 4 years of service.
Holidays
14 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays annually
YMCA Membership
The City provides a subsidy of 75% of the membership fee for employees who choose to join the Downtwon Berkeley YMCA.
(UNREP - GENERAL)
01
Please indicate your highest level of education completed.
- Some High School
- High School or Equivalent
- Some College
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree or Higher
02
If you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, in which of these areas do you have major coursework?
- Journalism
- Communications
- Media Relations
- Public Relations
- None of the above
03
Please indicate your years of experience with responsible professional public communications, media relations, public relations or content development including the development and implementation of communication programs.
- Less than one year
- More than one year, but less than two years
- More than three years, but less than four years
- Four years or more
04
Please indicate all of the areas in which you have work experience:
- Responding to media inquiries
- Writing and editing public communications
- Representing a brand or agency on social media
- Leading a social media campaign
- Graphic design, video or multimedia production
- Project management
- Multi-lingual content development
05
Please describe your experience, including years of experience, for all the areas above in which you indicated experience. Provide sufficient detail so that we can evaluate your experience.
06
Please describe your experience incorporating the needs of traditionally underserved communities in communications, including those with disabilities, non-English or limited English speakers or readers, or those in the lowest income brackets'.
07
How do you think City Departments can serve the community through public information? How do you view the role of government public information and how it differs from other types of communications?
08
I acknowledge that I have reviewed all my answers to all above supplemental questions for accuracy.
- Yes
- No
Required Question