Public Information Representative I/II - ESD

The mission of the Environmental Services Department (ESD) is to deliver world-class utility services and programs to improve our health, environment and economy. The Department manages garbage and recycling services; watershed protection and pollution prevention; municipal drinking water and recycled water; sustainability initiatives; and the operation and infrastructure improvements of the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San José.

Our department is an exceptional place to start or grow your career. We have a supportive leadership team, numerous professional growth opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture that is welcoming of your talents! 

To learn more about ESD, follow @sjenvironment on X, Facebook and Instagram and SanJosé Environmental Services on LinkedIn. 

ESD is currently recruiting to fill one (1) Public Information Representative I/II vacancy within the department’s Communications Division. This division supports six ESD divisions, sustainability initiatives, and administrative services; it is a dynamic and exciting work environment with a supportive team. ESD’s Communications Division plays a critical role in promoting and increasing engagement with ESD programs and services and strengthening partnerships with San José’s diverse communities and businesses to protect public health and the environment.  

Aligning with ESD’s mission, Public Information Representative I/IIs help develop and implement a range of communications strategies for ESD’s programs, projects and initiatives. This position will focus in leading the outreach of a variety of programs and projects within recycling and garbage services (Integrated Waste Management) including Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) program, which is in partnership with the County of Santa Clara, and the Junk Pick Up (JPU) program, one of the City’s most utilized services.

The selected candidate for the Public Information Representative I/II (PIR I/II) position will have an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the San José community as a member of ESD’s communications team. They will collaborate with ESD’s communications team and program staff to develop and implement integrated communications and public outreach campaigns. They will develop or coordinate the development of public information materials including printed collateral, digital ads, website and social media content, in multilingual formats. There are occasional tabling and presentation opportunities to engage with our community.

Typical responsibilities include: 

• Assisting the ESD Communications Division team develop and implement public outreach plans and campaigns. This includes developing goals, identifying target audiences (for English, Spanish, and Vietnamese speakers), recommending strategies, tactics and evaluation methods, determining budgets, applying innovative communication technologies and tools, and gathering and evaluating data on a monthly basis or as campaigns end, to measure the effectiveness of public awareness campaigns.
• Conducting community engagement (presenting, tabling, canvassing) for various ESD programs and initiatives, which will involve occasional weekend or evening events.
• Maintain productive working relationships with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations and vendors.
• Writing and editing communications materials, including social media posts, brochures, flyers, web pages, video scripts, newsletters, news releases, talking points, advertisements, memos, surveys, and reports.
• Managing content on ESD’s website and reviewing documents and the web for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and applying corrections where needed.
• Developing/editing videos.
• Developing graphics designs using Canva or Adobe Creative suite.
• Working directory with translations, printing and mailing, and advertisement vendors for example: creating task orders, bids, estimates, communications for edits, processing invoices.
• Managing project Sharepoint archives to thoroughly document all aspects of projects as they progress.
• Researching and sharing new ideas and tactics that increase relationships and outreach to diverse community groups and target demographics to ensure awareness, access and engagements with ESD programs and services.

Salary Information:

Public Information Representative I salary is $88,015.20 – $107,103.36.

Public Information Representative II is $97,144.32 - $118,067.04.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Public Information Representative I

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in journalism, communications, advertising, marketing, public relations, public administration, or closely related field. No minimum experience required.

Acceptable Substitutions: Additional years of professional experience in public relations, public information, or other related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis up to two years.

Public Information Representative II

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in journalism, communications, advertising, marketing, public relations, public administration, or closely related field and two years of progressively responsible professional public information, marketing, or public relations experience. No substitution for education.

Licensing Requirements

• Valid California Driver’s License may be required.

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Competencies

Job Expertise – Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills – Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills

Problem Solving – Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem(s); collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Computer Skills– Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: Adobe Acrobat, MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, MS SharePoint, and MS Excel.

Communication Skills – Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.

Customer Service - Demonstrates ability to anticipate internal and external customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently in a timely, accurate, respectful and friendly manner.

Flexibility - Makes effective decisions and achieves desired results in the midst of major changes in responsibilities, work processes, timeframes, performance expectations, organizational culture, or work environment.

Selection Process: 

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. You must answer all questions to be considered, or your application may be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Ellesia Janto at ellesia.janto@sanjoseca.gov. The application deadline is July 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

Salary : $97,144 - $118,067