Public Safety Media and Engagement Manager

Job Description:

Public Safety Media and Engagement Manager

Description

Description

PUBLIC SAFETY MEDIA AND ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Regular, Full-Time Employment Opportunity

The City of Sunnyvale’s Department of Public Safety is seeking a dedicated Media and Engagement Manager to support the Office of the Chief in meeting the growing demand for transparent, timely, and strategic public safety communications. This management-level position will serve as the department’s primary communications lead for non-critical incidents, overseeing media relations, crisis and emergency communications, social media and website content, internal communications including a regular staff newsletter, and community engagement initiatives.

The Public Safety Media and Engagement Manager will coordinate closely with command staff, the Office of the City Manager, the Office of Emergency Services, and partner agencies to ensure accurate and consistent messaging during high-profile events, emergencies, and officer-involved incidents, while also supporting long-term communication planning aligned with City Council priorities. This role requires a skilled communications professional capable of providing 24/7 support, strategic guidance, and leadership to safeguard public trust, enhance operational continuity, and strengthen connections between the department, its staff, and the Sunnyvale community.

Essential Job Functions

(May include, but are not limited to, the following):

• Develop and manage internal and external communication strategies that align with the department’s mission, values, and City goals. Manages and maintains the Department of Public Safety’s media relations engagement across various platforms to build relationships with the community.
• Collaborate with Office of the City Manager Communications staff and other departments to ensure consistent messaging and branding.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for public safety communications and community engagement programs; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Coordinates marketing, public information, community engagement, and internal and external communication activities for the Department of Public Safety.
• Coordinates, edits, and publishes various press releases, flyers, annual reports, and other publications, as needed.
• Serves as the Department of Public Safety’s non-sworn public information officer; interacts regularly with the media; coordinates with sworn Public Safety staff at events; and be available for on-camera, radio, and print media interviews.
• Develops and implements outreach efforts for the Department of Public Safety, connecting the public with City services and programs.
• Leads in planning and coordinating Department of Public Safety ceremonies, events workshops, and meetings as assigned.
• Serves as content manager for Department of Public Safety webpages.
• Manages the Department of Public Safety’s social media channels to ensure strong communication flow between the department and its residents. Creates, curates, and publishes engaging content for social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, Nextdoor , LinkedIn, YouTube). D e velop s proposed responses on social media for the department management .
• Interfaces with other departments in the preparation and dissemination of news items.
• Attends and reports on public safety events, community meetings, and training exercises to capture and share stories highlighting departmental activities and achievements.
• Maintains strong working relationships between the Department of Public Safety and the City’s Communications Team staff; tracks and monitors performance metrics; seeks opportunities to improve metrics and customer satisfaction.
• Prepares requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services including graphic design, photography, and videography.
• Manages contracts and contractors to develop communications materials such as graphic design, photography, videography, and video editing.
• Provides complex and technical support to the Director of Public Safety in responding to major incidents and emergencies; assists with the development of emergency response preparedness content, templates, and operating procedures.
• Supports crisis and emergency communication efforts, including real-time messaging and coordination with the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
• Responds to offsite community events, operational incidents and critical incidents as requested by the Director of Public Safety or Command Staff.
• Assists the Director of Public Safety and other management staff with media relations and responding to inquiries; prepares media responses and drafts media materials.
• Serves as liaison for assigned functions with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces, as required.
• Prepares reports and correspondence concerning new or ongoing programs and program effectiveness; prepares statistical reports as required; establishes and maintains working and official program files; ensures the proper documentation of operations and activities.
• Represents the Department of Public Safety in meetings with members of other organizations, community groups, contractors, and the public.
• Provides information for special population groups within the City, including materials in second languages; and establishes community partnerships with the City’s diverse communities.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in communications, multimedia technologies, web page design, social media, and emergency communications.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes as approved.
• Answers questions and provides information to the public; researches and responds to complaints and inquiries from residents, other departments, and agencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Physical Demands:
When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility 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 and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.

When assigned to field inspection , must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 40 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

Environmental Conditions:
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or the public in interpreting and enforcing divisional policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:
The minimum qualifications for education and experience can be met in the following way:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, communications, journalism, public relations, or related field; AND

Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in public communication, public relations, or communications, or journalism with at least one (1) year supporting a law enforcement agency preferred, and prior experience in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of communications with internal staff and the public.
• Best practices for social media creation, analytics, and digital content.
• Current principles, techniques, and objectives of professional journalistic methods, including research, publication, and presentation.
• Principles and practices of marketing, public information, graphic design, media and community relations, and production.
• Public information and public relations concepts, principles, methodology and techniques.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles of providing functional direction and training.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Recent and ongoing developments related to the media and engagement management.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and management.
• Legal, ethical, and professional rules of conduct for public sector employees including Fair Political Practices Commission rules and the Public Records Act.
• Various forms of mass media including print, cable television, radio, and the Internet.
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) for digital accessibility compliance.
• Research methods and techniques.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general correspondence.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively working with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and programs, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, oversee, develop, implement, and administer a comprehensive public information program.
• Track employee and community engagement and effectiveness of social media strategies.
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Manage sensitive and confidential law enforcement information in a professional manner.
• Convey complex or sensitive issues, and technical information in a clear and careful manner.
• Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction.
• Prepare and administer budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Coordinate and manage assigned projects and programs.
• Conduct strategic planning for assigned projects.
• Collect, evaluate, and interpret information and data, in statistical, narrative, and verbal form.
• Develop community relations and communications programs and strategies for the Department of Public Safety.
• Effectively collaborate with staff to coordinate and implement communication campaigns using various mediums including digital, print, cable television, radio, and direct in-person tactics.
• Effectively express thoughts and facts clearly, orally, and in writing; demonstrate effective use of listening skills and display openness to other ideas and thoughts.
• Plan and conduct special events.
• Prepare and present organized and accurate oral reports, statements, and presentations.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Prepare, maintain, and update accurate detailed records and files.
• Interpret and evaluate statistical data.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships; discuss problems and complaints tactfully, courteously and effectively.
• Effectively represent the Department of Public Safety meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

Licenses/Certificates:
Possession and continued maintenance of a valid class C California driver's license or the ability to provide alternative transportation as approved by the appointing authority and a safe driving record.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Prior experience in a public safety or government communications role.
• Experience conducting on-camera interviews or serving as a spokesperson.
• Bilingual skills.

Application and Selection Process

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS & PROCESS

The application submitted must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the job description in order to move forward in the recruitment process with the City of Sunnyvale. The information provided in the Work Experience, Education, and Certificates/Licenses sections of the application will be used to determine if the application meets the minimum qualifications. A resume, employment history provided elsewhere in the application, or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application.

Note: The minimum qualifications for experience are based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Experience included in the Work Experience section of the application is calculated to the full-time equivalent (hours are pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week). Volunteer experience is not considered qualifying experience.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources by Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 5:00pm.

Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on JOBS. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

EXAM PROCESS

Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position.Based upon a review of the application materials, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the oral examination process scheduled for Tuesday , February 10, 2026 . (Note: The examination process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Director of Human Resources.)

SELECTION PROCESS

Those candidates that receive a passing score on the examination will be placed on an eligibility list for up to one year, in accordance with the City's Civil Service Rules and Administrative Policies.

Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire. Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION

Any successful candidate, selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e. original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). A candidate with education obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate's expense to determine its equivalency in the United States. Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search ‘education equivalency verification’ or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Positions in this job classification are represented by the Sunnyvale Managers Association (SMA).

For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video:

• How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job- YouTube (5:13)

The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state, or local laws. The City of Sunnyvale is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 730-7490 orrecruitments@sunnyvale.ca.gov.

Summary of Management SMA Benefits

Notice of CFRA (California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations

Closing Date/Time: 1/22/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$148,739.00 - $185,923.00 Annually