Communication & Relations Specialist

The Position: 

The Palos Verdes Library District (PVLD) is recruiting applicants for an experienced and forward thinking part-time Communication and Relations Specialist to support and promote library services, programs, and special events.

The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities. They demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, a high level of professionalism, and communicate effectively with individuals representing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.

Under the direction of the District Director, the Communication and Relations Specialist is responsible for increasing community awareness, engagement, and visibility of the Palos Verdes Library District through strategic marketing and communications efforts. This position supports the promotion of library programs, services, and special events; coordinates communication activities across digital platforms; contributes to newsletters, media relations, and community outreach initiatives; and collaborates with staff to ensure clear, consistent, and effective communication with the library community. The Specialist also helps strengthen and maintain the District’s brand image, supports positive public perception, and promotes consistency in messaging and visual identity across communications.

THIS POSTING WILL CLOSE AT 5:00 PM ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2026. 

APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ONLINE THROUGH OUR APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM

• Deliver high-quality customer service that is respectful, professional, and timely.

• Communicate effectively through clear written and verbal communications, adapting messaging to meet the needs of diverse audiences.

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, board of library trustees, the Peninsula Library Friends Foundation, and local community partners.

• Partner with library departments to coordinate and implement marketing and communication initiatives that promote library outreach, programs, services, resources, and special events for diverse community audiences.

• Contribute to the creation and distribution of marketing materials including newsletters, flyers, and brochures.

• Develop and coordinate engaging content and promotions for digital platforms to enhance community awareness of library outreach, programs, services, events, and resources.

• Identify and evaluate opportunities to expand and increase library visibility in local newspapers, magazines, and other media.

• Assess and report on the impact and effectiveness of marketing and communication initiatives. Make recommendations based on these findings to the Director.

• Help to maintain and strengthen a positive brand image through consistent messaging, communications, and community engagement. 

• Participate on the Social Media committee and other committees related to graphics, promotions, and special library events.

• Support community engagement efforts and promote library visibility by fostering positive relationships with patrons, community organizations and representatives, local media and other key stakeholders.

• Facilitate media relations activities, including responding to media requests, scheduling interviews, and assisting with press opportunities to enhance public awareness of library programs and services and highlight library teams.

• Assist in coordinating the selection, procurement, inventory, and distribution of promotional branded giveaway items to enhance community engagement and strengthen the District's visibility in the community.

• Work with Department Managers to prepare press releases that highlight specific library programs, activities, and special events.

• Photograph library programs, special events, and community activities to be shared on social media and in future marketing or library communications. Maintain an accessible library of photos.

• Represent the district at community meetings, events, and outreach activities as appropriate.

• Participate in the planning and administration of large scale programming and special events (i.e. district anniversaries).

• Perform other duties as assigned.   

• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public, volunteers, vendors, contractors and District staff, in person and over the telephone.

• Techniques for effectively communicating with individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds. 

• Principles, practices, and theories of marketing.

• Principles and techniques of graphic design, desktop publishing, and production of print and multimedia materials, including the use of graphic design software.

• Principles and practices of library services, programs, and promotions.

• District goals, objectives, and priorities.

• The local community and its library needs.

• Computer literacy as related to library applications and more specifically, graphic design programs. 

• Business communications, including letter writing and basic report preparation and presentation techniques; effective communication techniques in public presentations.

• Statistical data gathering, research, and analysis.

• Modern office practices and procedures, including the use of standard office equipment.

• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.

• Effectively market, plan, organize, coordinate, and evaluate assigned programs within a team environment.

• Develop effective public relations and marketing materials using graphic design principles and techniques and appropriate computer hardware and software.

• Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public and the media.

• Elicit community and organizational support for library programs and events.

• Understand, interpret, and apply applicable laws, ordinances, and policies.

• Coordinate a variety of projects and programs simultaneously.

• Prepare written reports and correspondence.

• Manage relationships with outside vendors and local community partners.

• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.

• Organize own work, coordinate projects, set priorities, meet critical time deadlines, and follow up on assignments with a minimum of direction.

• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment, copiers, printers, and software programs.

• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.

• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and those contacted in the course of the work.

Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is considered qualifying. A typical way to meet these qualifications would be:

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. 3–5 years of experience in marketing, communications, community engagement, or nonprofit programming.

• Experience creating and managing content for digital platforms, including social media, email newsletters, and websites.

• Proficiency with common marketing tools such as Canva, Mailchimp (or similar email platforms), and social media scheduling tools.

• Photography skills and current cell phone (cell phone stipend available)

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate projects from concept through execution, including timelines, content development, and logistics.

• Creative mindset with the ability to contribute ideas for outreach efforts, and community engagement initiatives.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

• Comfort working collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and community partners in a mission-driven environment.

• Self-motivated and able to work independently while following established goals and guidelines. 

Must be able  to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. Must possess the ability to enter and retrieve data using a computer. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Positions in this classification occasionally lift and carry reports and records that typically weigh less than 25 pounds.

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Incumbents may have to visit other branch libraries or perform job duties outdoors and may be exposed to inclement weather conditions and hot and cold temperatures. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Position requires travel to and from branch libraries and to various areas round the Peninsula.

May be required to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

This posting will close at 5:00 pm on September 24, 2026.

Applications will only be accepted online through our Applicant Tracking System

Please submit your resume with your application and answer all supplemental questions. Note: AI generated answers may impact consideration for this position.

Any further questions can be directed to PVLD’s Human Resources at (310) 377-9584 ext. 248