Job Description

Job Description and Duties

DIR's Office of Communications and Media Relations (COMMS) is dedicated to informing the public of information concerning the department's activities and its employees. Communicating with each other and the public is an essential part of fulfilling our department's mission. 

The Department of Industrial Relation’s Office of Communications and Media Relations is hiring a motivated and detail-oriented Public Information Officer I Specialist to craft compelling stories, build relationships with media partners, and keep the public informed about critical programs and services. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and want to help amplify our department’s message, we encourage you to apply.

The Information Officer I Specialist must handle sensitive and confidential materials and matters in a professional manner and establish cooperative working relationships with others. The Information Officer I Specialist has daily contact with other COMMS staff and also has contact frequently with staff in other DIR divisions, programs and units, as well as frequent contact with stakeholders and members of the press.

Only one position is available to fill in either the Sacramento Office or the Oakland Office. Please see other posting under a different job control in CalCareers for the other location. If you are interested in the one position at more than one location, please submit a new application for each job control.

Refer to the duty statement for full details about the position.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3

To be considered for this Information Officer I (Specialist) job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin: 
Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click  e to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is located at:
1515 Clay Street, Suite 1306
Oakland, CA 94612

The Information Officer I Specialist will be required to travel (10-20%) to public events, meetings and departmental events. This position also requires responsiveness to the public and media, and attendance of public meetings outside of normal business hours. The Information Officer I Specialist is expected to maintain a hybrid work schedule with a minimum of two days per week in the office, or more based on operational needs and the State and DIR’s telework policy. The position requires the ability for prolonged sitting and to work at a computer for extended periods of time, and to move and transport office items in a safe manner.

Special Requirements

A statement of qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted along with the Standard State Application (STD 678). The SOQ must state the applicant's name and the classification/position they are applying for at the top, right corner of the page. Additionally, it must be 12-pt Arial font and no more than three (3) pages in length typed. Clearly label the SOQ and re-state each question preceding each response. Applications received without the SOQ will not be considered.

1. Describe your work experience collaborating with various government agencies, elected officials, media and/or the public.
2. Describe your experience working on high-priority assignments or projects. How did you manage your time effectively?
3. Describe your experience working in communications or media relations.
4. Explain your background and experience working with social media.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Ability to:
  • Respond to media inquiries.
  • Write and copyedit a wide variety of content including but not limited to news releases, fact sheets, reports, talking points, guides, and educational publications for a variety of audiences.
  • Meet strict deadlines and exercise sound judgment.
  • Handle multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities.
  • Provide and communicate timely status reports.
  • Think critically and problem-solve.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with a diverse group of people.

• Attention to detail, fact-checking and research skills.
• High customer service skills with a can-do attitude.
• Aptitude for working alone and as part of a team.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.)
• Experience with photography, recording and editing video and audio.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience with Asana desired.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid sick and vacation
• California State holiday pay
• 401 (k) and 457 plans
• Retirement (CalPERS)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Public Transit Subsidy

Additional Information

Preference will be given to persons with State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) or Surplus status. Applicants must attach a copy of their most recently dated letter that specifies their designation as either SROA or surplus candidate as proof.

Qualified candidates must have eligibility in State employment, be in a reachable rank on an employment list for this classification, be currently in this classification, or have transfer eligibility to this classification.

If you do not hear from us in 4-6 weeks, you may assume the position has been filled by another applicant. Please note that all additional vacancies that become available may be added to this advertisement.

Please note that the Exam and Certification Online System (ECOS) does not allow you to resubmit your application once you withdraw it. If you have any updates to your online application, please contact the Personnel, Recruitment, & Hiring Unit at (800) 564-0771.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey:  DIR Applicant Survey

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see Special Requirements section of the posting for instructions on the Statement of Qualifications.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Work experience placement, Work at office, Remote work, 2 days per week,

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