To provide leadership in the short and long-range strategic planning and effective design, development and implementation of cohesive and comprehensive marketing, communication, public affairs and government relations programs for advancing the mission of the District and its colleges, involving public information, governmental and community relations, media relations, legislative advocacy and promotional plans and activities, in consultation and coordination with the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, the District’s and colleges’ executive management staff and colleges’ public information, marketing and outreach staff. To foster a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, innovation, and continuous improvement throughout the District; lead by example; actively participate in and support District-wide participatory governance components and activities and other collaborative processes; encourage professional excellence among the staff and promote an organizational culture of customer service, innovation, and quality services.

Knowledge of:
• Capabilities of computer applications, systems and hardware used in the field of public relations.
• Critical issues and problems affecting community colleges.
• English usage, grammar, composition, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation.
• Government and community relations.
• Legislative and public affairs.
• Local, State and federal news, ordinances, and codes affecting a community college.
• Local, State and national newspaper, radio, television and other communications media resources.
• Methods and techniques of editing and news reporting.
• Modern methods, techniques and equipment used in photography.
• Objectives and interests of legislative, political, professional, employee, student and business/industry organizations and community groups impacting the District and its colleges.
• Organization, functions, and inter-relationships of various operating units of the District and its colleges.
• Principles and practices of business administration, educational administration, strategic planning, public finance, and personnel administration.
• Principles and practices of intergovernmental and community relations.
• Principles and practices of management and organization.
• Principles and practices of public relations and marketing.
• Principles and practices of public relations, promotion, advertising, marketing and public opinion research.
• Principles and practices of training and supervision.
• Principles, practices and procedures of fundraising.
• Publication production processes.
• Research, statistical, and forecasting methods and techniques.
• Special events planning.
• Speechwriting.
• Techniques of news writing, editing and mass-producing information.

Ability to:

• Anticipate conditions, plan ahead, establish priorities and meet schedules.
• Apply analytical techniques in the collection, summary and analysis of information for use by management in the decision making process.
• Chair committees and task forces.
• Communicate clearly, concisely and effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse constituencies within and outside of the District.
• Demonstrate possession of strong writing skills.
• Determine solutions and formulate recommendations.
• Develop and evaluate data.
• Develop, prepare and administer assigned budget.
• Encourage professional excellence among the staff and promote an organizational culture of customer service, innovation, and quality services.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others including District personnel and those representing the media, government and public affairs.
• Evaluate the public relations value of information.
• Exercise initiative, discretion, and critical judgment.
• Identify the characteristics of target audiences and determine the most effective communications techniques for reaching and motivating these groups.
• Independently plan, develop, coordinate, organize, implement direct and evaluate a comprehensive public affairs and governmental relations program.
• Interact with District personnel, students and the public in planning and conducting public relations activities.
• Learn the missions, goals and policies of the District, Board of Trustees and the Chancellor.
• Meet and greet the public with courtesy and tact.
• Operate a computer, peripherals and appropriate software to perform work.
• Prepare effective reports, correspondence and presentations.
• Present information on a wide variety of subjects using the full array of written, oral, and visual formats and techniques.
• Present informative and persuasive concepts effectively, verbally and in writing.
• React independently and promptly to situations and events.
• Recognize critical elements of problems.
• Research and prepare newsworthy articles.
• Seek and achieve the understanding and support of individuals or groups with different or opposing points of view.
• Serve as District spokesperson on behalf of the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees.
• Set up and maintain web pages and maintain connectivity to the Internet.
• Set up, take, scan, download and edit digital and other photos for publication.
• Speak and write effectively.
• Train, motivate, develop, direct, supervise and evaluate the performance of others.
• Understand and effectively and collaboratively work in a complicated multi-college environment, as well as within a system of community college districts.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Use a computer to edit and prepare articles for publication.
• Write, edit, and publish news releases, legislative analyses, articles and other informational materials.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university, preferably in public relations, journalism, communications, marketing or closely related field. A master’s degree in a related field is desirable.

At least five years of increasingly responsible professional experience in print or broadcast media, government or community relations, public affairs, public relations, marketing or advertising. Related experience in a California Community College or other educational or governmental agency is desirable.