Communications Coordinator (Administrative Assistant)

Job Description:

Communications Coordinator (Administrative Assistant)

Description

Description

The Position

The City of Palo Alto’s Public Works Department is seeking a creative and collaborative Communications Coordinator to join the Sustainability and Climate Action (S/CAP) Team (operating out of the Office of Sustainability). This position will play a central role in sharing the City’s progress on ambitious climate goals-reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (“80x30”)-and advancing sustainability initiatives that improve public health, equity, and resilience.

This is an exciting opportunity to bring creativity and clarity to complex topics-helping residents, businesses, and regional partners understand their role in achieving Palo Alto’s climate and sustainability goals and encourage community action for a greener community.

The Communications Coordinator will support outreach and education on key S/CAP focus areas, including:

• Climate Action & Energy/Building Electrification
• Electric Vehicles & Mobility
• Water & Zero Waste
• Natural Environment
• Climate Adaptation & Sea Level Rise

Advancing the City’s S/CAP workplan by collaborating cross-department and working closely with the City Manager’s Communications Office, this unique role will create high quality content and graphics, design videos and digital and print communications and marketing materials, all with the goals to educate, inform and influence.

Ideal Candidate

The City is seeking an strong project manager with a highly collaborative style bringing their broad range of experience and passion for public service and excellence in writing, verbal communications skills, and creativity. The top candidate will have a strong background in the use of digital platforms including social media, is not afraid of using analytics and data to support creative marketing, is a self-starter, able to work independently and as a team, be entrepreneurial and enjoys implementing new initiatives and ideas. The team member will look forward to engaging with City teams in real life and digitally.

This position is represented by the MGMT - Management, Professional and Council Appointees.

Compensation (MGMT) :Comprehensive compensation plan, to learn more click HERE.

Essential Duties

Communicate and market the City’s sustainability programs and successes to help implement the City’s S/CAP. Create content and visuals, with the goal of connecting the community to the City’s programs both informing and influencing action. Ensure the City’s sustainability websites, newsletters, blogs and community updates are accessible and compelling through creative writing, messaging and marketing designs. Evolve and try new ways to capture digital engagement and community excitement about sustainability and climate action goals.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Project Coordination Coordinate sustainability and climate action communications efforts by collaborating with cross functional department subject matter experts to support public information sharing

• Manage communications projects and priorities, as assigned; working collaboratively with the City Manager’s Communications Office
• Meet with cross-department team and consultants to track success, review performance measures and statistics, with the goal of evolving tactics and trying new ways to increase outreach

Communications & Outreach Maximize social media engagement by using photography and/or videography

Maintain social media calendars

• Develop digital content to support communications objectives Implement communications and marketing tactics such as testimonial development, referrals, and other promotional campaigns
• Coordinate program print and digital flyers and other promotional materials to support community outreach and engagement
• Support key community events through digital and print communications and event coordination

Performs related duties of a similar nature or level.

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge and skills, which would typically be acquired through

Equivalent to the completion of an Associate Degree and six years responsible, full-time administrative experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Associate's Degree is preferred.

Supplemental Information

The Selection Process:

• Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email. Governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates.
• The process includes providing writing samples. When applying please provide two writing samples such as social media, blog, digital newsletter, or magazine article content.
• The screening process for this position will be panel interviews followed by a final in person interview.

More than one position may be filled from this posting

Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

See our Benefits at a Glance Bookletfor more details.
Learn more about our Compensation Plan HERE.

Closing Date/Time: 10/13/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$76,128.00 - $114,192.00 Annually