The Department:
The Community Development Department strives to enhance the community’s safety, welfare, quality of life, and economic opportunities by providing advanced planning, development review, permitting and inspection services, as well as administration of programs related to affordable housing.
The Community Development Department consists of three divisions: Planning, Building, and Housing and Community Services. The Department guides the ongoing physical development of the community, which includes long range land use planning, review of new development proposals and construction to ensure that it conforms to the standards of the City and State and ensures the provision of affordable housing with the City of Santa Clara. The delivery of high-quality professional services, including the enhancement and streamlining of the development permit process, and forging partnerships to provide housing services to lower income members of the community, are primary objectives of the Department. The Department acts as an advisor to the City’s decision-makers in these areas and carries out the policies of the City Council.
The Department demands for quality communications continues to increase, especially as the list of high visibility development projects grows in Santa Clara. The department is seeking a dedicated Communications Coordinator to handle outreach and engagement efforts and be a liaison to the City’s Communications Team.
The Position:
The incumbent provides high-level public information and community outreach services that require in-depth knowledge of public sector communications, website content and graphic design, and experience in managing and implementing creative and innovative promotions and projects.
This role is essential to centralizing the department’s communication efforts and ensuring that both internal and public-facing messages are strategic, consistent, and impactful.
The Communications Coordinator will be housed in the Technology and Communications Team and will be supervised by the Assistant Director. The Communications Coordinator will work across all divisions and will not only help streamline communications related to key initiatives and projects but also serve as an internal consultant, helping staff develop clear, effective messaging across all channels. This will enable the department to better meet increasing demands from the City Manager’s Office for improved web content, newsletters, and outreach efforts, while also promoting the department’s key initiatives and projects to a broader audience.
Under general direction, the Communications Coordinator coordinates and maintains content on the Department's website and intranet; implements and supports internal and external communication efforts; and coordinates social media and video communication activities. Incumbents may function as a supervisor, or an individual contributor, depending on the department or assignment.
Additional Information:
Applications must be filled out completely (e.g. do not write “see resume, NA, or personnel file.”). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Cover Letter and 2) Resume. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov. Applications must be submitted by the filing deadline of June 2, 2026 at 4:00 PM.
THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED ABOVE. 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.MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS. ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW. APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR POSITIONS ADHERING TO ALL APPLICABLE CITY POLICIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CMD 033- EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES.
The annual salary range for this position is $113,920.32 – $145,705.32. This position may be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.
Minimum Qualifications:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum Education Requirements:
A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Advertising, Marketing, Public Relations, or closely related field.
Minimum Experience Requirements:
None.
Acceptable Substitution:
Additional full time professional experience in public relations, public information, or other related experience may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis up to two years with one year full time experience being equal to 30 semester (45 quarter) units of college.
Desirable Qualifications:
Experience working in the public sector communications, press releases, social media platforms, website and graphic design, and analytics research is desirable.
Experience in managing and implementing creative promotions and projects is desirable.
Other Requirements:
- May be required to work odd and unusual hours in the performance of duties and during emergency situations.
- Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment.
Follow this link to view the entire Class Specification, which includes more information on Typical Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
Candidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview may be required prior to appointment.
Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.
VETERAN’S PREFERENCE POINTS: This position qualifies for Veteran’s Preference Points. Applicants who have separated from service (Active Duty Status) must submit proof of honorable discharge (Form DD214) with their application at time of filing or will be ineligible to have points added to their final score.
The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or HumanResources@santaclaraca.gov.
