Public Information Officer (Media Specialist)

Job Description:

Public Information Officer (Media Specialist)

Description

ABOUT US

At the County of Marin, our employees overwhelmingly report feeling their work is meaningful, they like the work they do, and they are proud to tell people “I work for the County of Marin.” Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture on the Marin County Human Resources website. Read on to find out more about this opportunity.

The Office of the County Executive (OCE) is responsible for preparing the County budget, providing the Board of Supervisors with the information needed for decision-making, representing the County in intergovernmental relationships, coordinating the work of all County departments, ensuring they provide timely, accurate and coordinated information to the public. The OCE staff also helps coordinate planning for County facilities, risk management, and racial equity initiatives.

The OCE Communications Division is a small, dynamic team that consists of a Communications Director, a Media Manager, and three Media Specialists.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Media Specialist (Public Information Officer) supports the County of Marin’s communications and community engagement work by delivering clear, timely, and accurate information to residents, including producing and appearing in on-camera content.

Working within the Office of the County Executive, this position supports communications across multiple County departments and issue areas. The Media Specialist drafts public-facing content, assists with media relations, and supports time-sensitive and emergency communications as needed.

This role is highly tactical and people-facing. The Media Specialist gathers information from staff and subject-matter experts who may be busy, unclear, or approaching issues from different perspectives and helps guide those conversations toward clear, usable communications. Work often involves synthesizing incomplete or evolving information, making quick revisions, and moving content forward under real deadlines while staying aligned with team direction and shared judgment.

The Media Specialist should also be comfortable on camera and using video and photography tools to support public-facing communications, including interviews, short videos, and visual storytelling.

Through this work, the Media Specialist helps ensure County communications are clear, accessible, and focused on what residents need to know and do.

This position works full time onsite at the historic Frank Lloyd Wright designed Civic Center in San Rafael.

ABOUT YOU

The highly qualified candidate has experience in public information, communications, or media work and understands the responsibility of communicating on behalf of a public institution. They are motivated by public service and value clarity, accuracy, and trust.

They are a hands-on communicator who can move work forward while working closely with others. They are comfortable interviewing staff and subject-matter experts, guiding conversations toward what is most relevant for the public, and building rapport across a range of roles and perspectives.

They work well in a collaborative environment where decisions are shared and alignment matters. They can operate independently while staying connected to team standards, direction, and judgment. They are receptive to feedback and understand that strong public communications are built collectively.

Key competencies include:

• Translating complex or technical information into plain language
• Writing and editing public-facing content under real deadlines
• Exercising sound judgment in time-sensitive or sensitive situations
• Adapting quickly as priorities and information change
• Facilitating productive interviews and information-gathering
• Framing information creatively while maintaining accuracy and tone

This role is well suited to someone who values teamwork, takes a practical approach to communications, and understands the responsibility of serving the public.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Public information and media relations practices
• Plain-language communication for diverse audiences
• Accessibility and inclusive communication principles
• Associated Press style

Experience with:

• Drafting public-facing communications
• Interviewing staff and partners to gather information
• Supporting communications in fast-moving situations
• Working collaboratively across teams or departments
• Appearing on camera and adapting to different on-camera communication needs

Ability to:

• Facilitate conversations that surface clear, usable information
• Adapt as situations, audiences, or priorities change
• Work independently within a collaborative decision-making environment
• Communicate respectfully across diverse backgrounds and perspectives
• Organize work, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

Testing and Eligible List: Depending on the number of qualified applications received, the examination may consist of a highly qualified review, application screening, online assessment, written examination, oral examination, performance examination, or any combination to determine which candidates' names will be placed on the eligible list.

The eligibility list created by this recruitment may be used to fill current or future vacancies for open, fixed-term, full-time or part-time positions in ANY County department while the list remains active . We encourage you to apply now if you are interested in a Media Specialist position in any County department.

Disaster Service Workers: All County of Marin employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

PLEASE NOTE: The benefits described herein do not apply to temporary (contingent) or to part-time employees that work less than 50%.

COUNTY OF MARIN BENEFITS: GENERAL
Below are some of the excellent benefits the County offers. More information about our benefits can be found on the Marin County's Benefits Homepage .

Paid Time Off : Competitive vacation accrual; 12 holidays per year; and generous sick leave accruals. Additional types of paid leaves are available for some bargaining units.

Health Plan : Choice of four health plans (two Kaiser HMOs, Western Health Advantage HMO, and an Anthem Blue Cross PPO) along with dental through Delta Dental PPO, and vision through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is a County contribution toward the premiums (the contribution amount varies depending on coverage tier elected such as employee only, employee + 1, employee + family). Plus, the County offers excellent Life Insurance, Disability, Flexible Spending Plans, a Dependent Care Assistance Program, professional development and more.

Retirement : Defined benefit plan under the County Employees Retirement Act of 1937. More information can be found online at www.mcera.org.

IRS 457 Plan : Choice of pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical : The County provides access to group health plan coverage to eligible retirees.

For specific questions regarding the employment process, please contact Human Resources at (415) 473-6104. For additional details about the benefits or retirement, please contact the Benefits Division at (415) 473-2197.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 4/17/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$103,896.00 - $125,611.20 Annually