Senior Communications Coordinator (Transportation)

The City of Pasadena Transportation Department is seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Communications Coordinator (Transportation) who will develop and implement the department’s community relations and public outreach programs, including public education, input and involvement in department-related programs and projects, coordinating closely with the City’s Communications/Public Information Office. The incumbent may supervise staff and will provide expert technical assistance in the development and implementation of public involvement and community outreach strategies and visual communications, including interactive strategies, social networking and department branding. This position will take on a comprehensive portfolio of responsibilities that will strengthen the Department of Transportation’s ability to communicate clearly, consistently, and proactively with the public, stakeholders, and City leadership. The Senior Communications Coordinator (Transportation) reports directly to the Department Director and coordinates closely with the City’s Chief Communications Officer.  

This position serves as the central point of contact across the Parking, Transit, Mobility Engineering/Operations, and Multimodal Planning divisions of the Transportation Department, working closely with other City departments and the City’s Communications/Public Information Office to align messaging and support citywide initiatives. A major component of the work involves building consensus for transportation projects—particularly those within the Department’s $315 million Capital Improvement Program—by translating technical information into accessible content, overseeing consultant-led outreach, and ensuring that high profile projects receive clear, accurate, and timely communication.

The ideal candidate will have at least four years of experience in marketing, communications and/or social media, preferably in City government. Experience in a transportation related field is highly desirable.

Additionally, the incumbent will be detail-oriented and able to work well under pressure, exercise discretion, and maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive information.

This is an exciting opportunity to interact with Pasadena community members and learn about the City’s local organizations and other City departments, while making an impact by advancing transportation safety projects and programs, promoting transit use and active transportation options, and supporting residents and businesses through the implementation of parking strategies and programs.

Below is a list of major responsibilities which may be required of this position. For more detailed information, please review the Senior Communications Coordinator job description.  

• Manages and participates in development and implementation of department-level communication programs that include community objectives, communication channels, primary messages, enhanced graphics, competitive research, strategy, tactics and budget; develops and implements internal and external training and public relations activities.
• Tracks statistics and reports outcomes of marketing efforts and public relations programs.
• Coordinates, researches, develops and writes materials such as news releases, fact sheets, flyers, brochures, visitor materials, annual reports, bi-annual internal newsletters, presentations and speeches; manages use of department logos; develops and coordinates distribution strategies; ensures materials are ADA compliant.
• Acts as a department spokesperson and liaison to external groups and as assigned the media; assesses community values, issues and concerns and communicates them to staff and management; anticipates internal and external constituent needs and proactively provides information, access and communication.
• Develops desk notes and talking points on key programs and issues and briefs management and employees.
• Oversees content of a department website; reviews and monitors all aspects of the website and a variety of social networks, including content coverage and accuracy, frequency of postings and public responses.
• Develops social media strategy for department programs within parameters set by City policies and procedures; develops and maintains e-mail marketing and e-notification programs.
• Develops and maintains a network of contacts for the dissemination of information on upcoming events; coordinates efforts and activities with other City departments; maintains proactive relationships with the media; develops and maintains mailing lists.
• Performs research necessary to effectively target and grow the department's customer base; plans and conducts various research projects.
• Works with staff from other departments, committees, volunteers, consultants and vendors as required by project assignments. 
• Develops Department branding and communications templates.
• Provides leadership to ensure a fair and open work environment in accordance with the City's commitment to equal employment opportunity.
• Works closely with the City’s Public Information Office to ensure consistent messaging across the City.

COMPETENCIES

The following list represents the core competencies needed for success in this position.

• Attention to Detail focuses on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.
• Customer Focus attends the needs and expectations of customers.
• Informing proactively obtains and shares information.
• Political & Organizational Savvy works skillfully with politics, procedures, and protocols across organizational levels and boundaries. 
• Strategic Perspective evaluates immediate actions in context of achieving long range objectives.
• Writing communicates effectively in writing.

Minimum qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in marketing, public relations, communications, business administration or a closely related field.
• At least four years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, public relations and social media or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Desired qualifications

• Experience with copyediting, Canva, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign. 
• Writing skills and understanding for press releases, social media captions, newsletter features, etc.
• Strong understanding of Transportation topics and policies. 
• Experience in a public agency is preferred.
• Experience in a transportation related field is highly desirable.

SELECTION PROCESS:
The selection process will consist of any combination of training and experience evaluation, subject matter expert (SME) review, performance exam, an oral panel interview, and/ or a department-level interview.

VACANCY INFORMATION:
There is currently one vacancy in the Transportation Department- Administration Division. The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill this vacancy and similar vacancies in the future.Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license and comply with the City's Motor Vehicle Safety Policy during the course of employment.