Communications Specialist

Communications Specialist

Salary

$56,915.56 - $69,181.58 Annually

Location

Vista City Hall - 200 Civic Center Drive Vista 92084, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-47-O

Department

City Manager

Opening Date

06/22/2026

Closing Date

6/29/2026 5:30 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

VCEA

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, the Communications Specialist develops and implements communications and marketing efforts assigned programs and special events. This position will coordinate the City's social media presence with the communication team by developing and creating content campaigns and encouraging resident participation in a variety of City programs, services, processes, and events.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

The Communications Specialist reports to the Communications Officer. Incumbents are expected to resolve most problems confronted through the application of judgment and precedent, referring only those which involve the establishment of new procedures, or which involve solutions that are inconsistent with departmental procedures and policies to the manager.

Examples of Essential Functions

Develop and implement digital marketing strategies using organic and paid media that create awareness and encourage participation in various City functions, including, Recreation and Community Services programs and special events (adult and youth sports, parks and facilities rental opportunities, Independence Day Celebration, and Movies in the Parks); parks and trails experiences; special events coordinated by the City Manager's department (Halloween, Summer FunFest, and others); propose and implement partnership with organizations and agencies with a goal of increasing participation in City programs and events within niche markets and communities; and prepare reports that measure the effectiveness of each campaign.

Serve as a digital storyteller for the City in creating organic and paid social media content that promotes programs, resources, services, and events for departments and divisions across the City organization. Produce creative and engaging content using video and photography (primary emphasis will be on utilizing social media video on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and any other relevant platforms). Monitor social media channels, respond to questions and concerns and bring issues that need to be addressed to the attention of the Communications Officer. Collaborate with departments and divisions to craft social media responses as needed. Provide monthly reports on each channel's growth, reach, and engagement.

Serve as one of the Communication office's photographers and videographers to create digital assets for use on City social media, publications, websites, and other platforms.

Collaborate with the Communications Officer and other members of the City Manager's Department in the planning and execution of special events (Halloween, Movies in the Park, Summer FunFest, and others).

Collaborate with the Communications team in conceptualizing, designing, and implementing an annual campaign promoting Vista as a destination in the summer. Promote and market as a package Vista's vibrant summer venues, activities, and special events (the Moonlight Amphitheatre, the Wave Waterpark, Movies in the Park, Summer FunFest, the Independence Day Celebration, summer camps, parks experiences, trails, and other elements make the summer experience in Vista unique).

The Communications Specialist will be required to work as a Communications team member in the City's Emergency Operations Center during city-wide emergencies.

Minimum Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles, practices, and techniques of marketing, public relations, and communications;
• Methods and techniques of writing, advertising, graphic arts, audio-visual production, and photography;
• Federal, State, and local laws and regulations governing public communications, cable broadcasting, and marketing;
• Political issues, community development issues, laws and legislative developments of importance to the community and government agencies;
• Public information programs.

SKILL IN:

• Social media content production, including video, photography, editing, and creative copywriting;
• Microsoft Office tools;
• Website design and management.

ABILITY TO:

• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with clients, staff, management, elected officials, business representatives, consultants, and vendors.
• Use a variety of tools to create and maintain digital content including Photoshop and/or Lightroom, Canva, Adobe Premiere Pro, later.com, or other video editing software such as Lumafusion;
• Be self-motivated, have a creative mindset, be detailed-oriented;
• Design, coordinate, and implement effective digital marketing and storytelling, public relations, and communications programs;
• Analyze and determine effective strategies for communications ideas, messages, and events;
• Research, evaluate, write, and edit reports, studies, speeches, memos, correspondence, news releases, and other forms of communications;
• Prepare and present information in a clear, concise, and informative manner at public meetings or forums;
• Exercise tact and diplomacy in all oral and written communications;
• Narrate and present live information for various media platforms;
• Prepare regular and accurate activity and cost reports;
• Train, coordinate, supervise, and evaluate the work of technical and administrative staff given particular projects;
• Oversee the work of vendors and consulting firms;
• Plan, coordinate, organize, and prioritize projects in order to meet program and division deadlines;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, employees, co-workers, and the general public;

QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of training, education and experience which demonstrates an ability to perform the duties of the position. A typical combination would include completion of college coursework in a major such as Public Administration, Communications, Marketing, or Journalism, bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, or a closely related field and increasingly responsible experience in communications, digital marketing, and social media production and management.

Other Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to sit; talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands or arms. The employee occasionally walks and stands and lifts and moves records and documents weighing 20 pounds or less.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use oral and written communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret data and situations; use math and mathematical reasoning; learn and apply new skills or information; perform highly detailed work on multiple concurrent tasks; work under changing and intensive deadlines with frequent interruptions; and interact with City officials, media, citizens groups, employees and others encountered in the course of work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee works under typical office conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet.

The employee may be required to work overtime to complete assignments.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

A City application form and supplemental questionnaire MUST be submitted and received by the closing date. Please apply online at www.vista.gov. All other employment inquiries can be directed to the City of Vista, Human Resources Office, Telephone: (760) 726-1340.

SELECTION PROCESS :

Candidates must clearly demonstrate through their application materials that they meet the employment standards outlined above. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Examinations for the position may consist of any combination of written, performance, and oral exams to evaluate the applicants skill, training, and experience for the position. Successful applicants will be placed on an eligibility list. The City may also merge lists. The selected candidate(s) must successfully complete pre-employment clearances which may include a physical, drug screen, and fingerprinting.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in the announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

The City of Vista is an Equal Opportunity and ADA compliant employer. All qualified candidates and veterans are welcome to apply!

• SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Recruitment Closes - Monday, June 29, 2026

Interview Panel - Week of July 6th

• Please note, all dates and/or timeframes are subject to change.

VACATION

85 Hrs. - 1-5 years of continuous service

125 Hrs. - 6-10 years

160 Hrs. - 11-15 years

180 Hrs. - 16-20 years

200 Hrs. - 20+ years

SICK LEAVE

Full time employees receive 96 hours per year.

HOLIDAYS

Full time employees working the 9/80 flex schedule receive 99 hours of holiday leave per fiscal year to cover scheduled holidays as wells as one floating holiday

INSURANCE

Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance programs. A portion of the employees and dependents premiums are paid by the City.

WELLNESS PROGRAMMING

The City offers comprehensive wellness programming to its employees including onsite wellness facilities and onsite wellness sessions.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

The Citys Tuition Reimbursement Plan can assist employees in paying the cost of books and tuition for pre-approved classes which relate to their job.

RETIREMENT

Depending on eligibility, based on CalPERS criteria, new employees will be provided the 3% @ 60 Plan or newly established 2% @ 62 Plan. Employees currently contribute the entire employee contribution amount of 8%.

The City does not participate in Social Security, but employees must be enrolled in the Medicare portion.

• Actual benefits will depend on date of hire and may differ from the information listed. Part-time employee benefits may be prorated.

01

ATTENTION APPLICANTS: Copying and pasting duplicate answers and stating "See resume" and/or "see previous answer" are not acceptable to the questions below. By completing this supplemental questionnaire, you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate and understand that the statements made in this supplemental questionnaire will be considered part of and subject to the terms of my employment application for this position. Please acknowledge your understanding by selecting "Yes".

• Yes
• No

02

Which best describes your level of education?

• High School
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree

03

Select all of the boxes for which you have experience. If you have no relevant experience, select none.

• Writing Press Releases
• Assisting with the development of media image and associated outreach efforts
• Assisting with the research and design of web pages
• Preparing news releases and researching and writing publications (i.e. newsletters, pamphlets, fact sheets, brochures, etc.)
• Web page content and editing
• Manage social media accounts
• None

04

Select the one box that best describes your professional work experience using social media platforms (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.). If you have no relevant experience, select none.

• I have moderate professional work experience using social media platforms.
• I have extensive professional work experience using social media platforms.
• I have extensive professional work experience using multiple social media platforms that includes managing public social media campaigns.
• I have no professional work experience using social media platforms; however I have extensive PERSONAL experience using multiple social media platforms.
• None. I have no professional work experience using social media platforms.

05

Select all of the boxes of technology for which you are proficient and have experience utilizing as listed below. If you have no relevant experience using any of these programs, select none. Please note that you may be required to illustrate your proficiency during the hiring interviews.

• Graphic Design
• Canva or similar program
• Photoshop and/or Adobe design
• Managing web content through a content management system
• Photo or video editing
• Video livestream technology
• Constant Contact
• None

Required Question

Employer City of Vista

Address 200 Civic Center Drive

Vista, California, 92084

Phone 760-639-6145

Website https://www.vista.gov/