Director of Communications and Public Relations (Legislative Assistant II)-24037

Salary : $145,000.00 - $185,000.00 Annually

Location : County of San Diego, CA

Job Type : Regular - Full time

Job Number : 24037311UCPR

Department : Board / Supervisors Dist 3

Opening Date : 11 / 08 / 2024

Closing Date : Continuous

Job Summary

Director of Communications & Public Relations

County of San Diego, Supervisorial District 3

Office of Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer

About Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer

is a progressive leader serving San Diego County, home to over 3.3 million people with an $8 billion annual budget. After decisively winning re-election for a second term in San Diego's purple district, she is now seeking a dedicated Director of Communications & Public Relations to join her in defending the values of fairness, opportunity, democracy, and the rule of law, especially as the region faces potential challenges from a second Trump Administration.

Representing six coastal cities and surrounding unincorporated areas, Supervisor Lawson-Remer has delivered meaningful results for her constituents, including :

• Expanding access to affordable healthcare, including mental health services.

Holding corporate landlords accountable for driving up housing costs.

Addressing environmental crises like the Tijuana River sewage contamination and safeguarding our coastline.

Significantly improving labor protections, working conditions, and wages for tens of thousands of working families, and cracking-down on wage theft.

Establishing the nation's first ever Immigrant Legal Defense Program in a border county.

Pioneering "alternatives to incarceration" to advance community safety through services to reduce recidivism.

Strengthening gun safety laws and using red flag laws to protect public safety.

Combatting homelessness through shelters, tiny homes, and safe camping sites.

Protecting reproductive rights and ensuring access to legal, safe abortions.

In her next term, she will continue this critical work and safeguard San Diego County from any potential threats under a second Trump presidency.

is an economist, attorney, community organizer, and educator. Before running for elected office, Terra worked as a senior advisor in the Obama Administration; as a professor of public policy in San Diego and New York; as an economist and attorney for the World Bank and global advocacy organizations including Amnesty International, Avaaz, and Namati; and as a political strategist for the labor movement and the Open Society Institute. She got her start in community organizing as a direct-action coordinator and founder of a national student organization fighting against inequality and for a more just and sustainable future.

Join Terra in this critical fight for San Diego's future. For more, visit

Position Objectives

Uplift the Supervisors' policy work and leadership with regional, statewide, and national partners and stakeholders.

Generate earned media attention for the Supervisors' initiatives.

Lead planning and execution of events planned by the office, and secure opportunities for external event appearances.

Manage a robust digital media program, including paid advocacy.

Lead and inspire the communications and community engagement teams.

Roles & Responsibilities

Communications

Craft and execute strategic communication plans to enhance the reputation of and visibility of Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and the office.

Manage media relations, including but not limited to proactively working with reporters, and responding to media requests.

Draft press releases, speeches, social media content, emails, digital, website content and other communications materials.

Manage the communications team, including coordinating their work schedules, providing leadership and direction for assignments.

Staff Support and Mentoring

Support and mentor junior staff members, help foster their growth and professional development, including mentoring on communications for policy team members, communications team members, constituent services team members, community engagement team members, and other senior leadership staff.

Marketing

Maximize public awareness of the Supervisor through a single clear voice that establishes brand identity.

Set priorities and strategies for communications, marketing, and events planning; collaborate with the team on implementation, and ensure deadlines are met with quality, consistency, and accuracy.

Serve as a project manager and collaborate with the team members to create, refine, implement and direct local and national marketing campaigns to elevate the profile of the Supervisor as a leader on climate change and environment, fair labor practices, affordable healthcare, and more.

Oversee both internal and external messaging for critical school communication and is responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive and dynamic communications, marketing, and public relations strategy.

Lead the editorial development, design, production, and distribution of print, digital, and social media content, events (i.e. annual report, viewbook, print material, advertisements, design, programs, etc.)

Community Engagement Amplification

Work closely with our community engagement team to amplify their efforts. This will involve assisting community representatives with talking points and communicating strategies, enabling them to effectively engage with external stakeholders and community partners.

Collaborate with the community engagement team to develop comprehensive strategies that maximize community outreach, foster meaningful partnerships, and identify innovative approaches to engage with District 3 residents.

Supporting Chief of Staff

Work closely with the Chief of Staff to assist in various tasks, including crisis management, strategic planning and navigating complex challenges that may arise.

Candidate Skills / Abilities / Qualities

Strategic planning and execution

Collaborating with different areas / departments of a larger team

Hands on experience working with television, radio, print, online, digital news outlets

Ability to handle high pressure situations

Event, conference, symposium planning and execution

Writing materials for media, community, and policy leaders

Organized individuals with extensive experience

A self-starter capable of operating independently

Hands on experience providing guidance to executive level individuals

An interest in making San Diego County a better place for people to live and work

Values that align with those of Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer

Knowledge and experience working with digital platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X, Linkedin, Threads, TikTok, Constant Contact, websites, etc.)

Strategic planning for placement of digital advertising

Managing external contractors and vendors (PR firms, printers, etc.)

Hands on experience and interest working in political environments

Experience Required

Five years or more leading teams

Three to five years or more working with executive level principals

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university

Salary $145,00-185,000

To Apply

Send your resume, a cover letter, and examples of your work to Chief of Staff Meghan Elledge at Be sure to put "Director of Communications & Public Relations" in the email subject.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Please to view the complete job description for this position.

Persons serving in positions in the Unclassified Service do not accrue tenure and serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. The provisions of this job announcement may be modified or revoked and do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable an individual with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.

Condition of Employment

As part of the County of San Diego's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. (Current employees may be exempt from this process.)

As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.

Veteran's Preference Policy The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego.

Military Skills Translator Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help!

The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of : a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include : integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Click here for more information on our as well as our commitment to serve everyone, to build a that will create a County that works for all.

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county , city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.

The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority.

Click here to see the Unclassified Management Benefits Summary (UCL)

Salary : $145,000 - $185,000