About This Role
This role involves supporting and implementing marketing, social media, and interactive communication strategies for the Pasadena Water and Power Department. The Communications Specialist will handle a range of paraprofessional responsibilities, from routine to complex, in developing and executing community relations programs, outreach, educational initiatives, and digital engagement efforts. The selected candidate will play a key role in advancing the department’s communications efforts.
Responsibilities
- Assist with the creation and execution of marketing campaigns and materials, including graphics and written content such as news releases, social media, and webpage content development and management
- Plan and attend special events
- Coordinate educational partnerships with local schools
- Represent the department in a wide variety of public interactions
- Serve as department liaison with civic and community organizations
- Answer questions and provide information to individuals and customer groups
- Write, edit, and publish informational material in print and digital formats for the public, community groups, and employees
- Develop and create graphic materials, including but not limited to infographics, short-form videos, website content, social media posts, newsletters, flyers, brochures, visual displays, signs, advertisements, forms, reports, charts, maps, and other printed/graphic materials
- Help manage website and social media content, including publishing and updating posted materials, responding to comments and messages, and ensuring accuracy of content
- Assist in developing and making presentations and public information materials
- Take photos and video on behalf of the Department, and edit photos and video
- Collect data and information for reports and statistics regarding communication activities
- Coordinate the purchasing, storage, inventorying, and distribution of printed/graphic materials and promotional products
- Obtain vendor quotes
- Adhere to budgets and deadlines for all projects
- Perform related duties as assigned
Requirements
- Action and Results Focus: Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment
- Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
- Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
- Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
- Presentation Skills: Formally delivering information to groups
- Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
- Involving Others: Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes
- Graduation from a two-year college with an associate's degree in marketing, public relations, communications, business administration, or a closely related field
- At least 4 years of progressively responsible professional experience in marketing, public relations, or social media; or an equivalent combination of training and experience
- 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
Nice to have:
- Experience with copying, editing, photography, graphic design, video production, and website and social media content management and analytics
- Experience in a public agency
- Fluency in Spanish
Important Details
- Schedule: Regularly works evenings and weekends representing the utility at various community events (typically 2-3 events per month); may be required to work some evenings and weekends as needed
- Contract: One-year probationary work period
- Application deadline: November 5, 2026, at 11:59 PM
Application Process
- Online applications will only be accepted beginning on Thursday, October 22, 2026
- Selection process may consist of a training and experience evaluation, written or other practical exercise, a structured interview, and/or a department-level interview
About the Company
The City of Pasadena contracts with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) to manage its defined benefits program for eligible employees. CalPERS manages the pension and health benefits to more than 1.6 million public employees, retirees, and their families and more than 3,000 employers. The Pasadena Water and Power Department is seeking this role for its External Affairs division.
