Public Information Representative I/ II - Library Department

Salary: $110,313.84 - $121,605.12 Annually
Location : San Jose
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
DEPART: Library
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 11/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Position Duties
San José Public Library (SJPL) is looking for a Public Information Representative (PIR) I/II to join the library's award-winning Marketing and Communications Unit. This position reports directly to the Senior Public Information Representative and is part of the library's Public Engagement division.

The Public Information Representative I/II will develop and implement strategic marketing and communications plans to promote library services, including programs, announcements, events, membership, and systemwide initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have excellent English writing, verbal, and editing skills, with experience researching, gathering, and verifying information to develop accurate communications. The Public Information Representative I/II will use products such as Adobe Creative Suite and Canva to create accessible digital and print materials, including flyers, posters, banners, signs, and other promotional designs. The candidate will also coordinate department-wide translation requests, vendor orders, track expenses and inventory, and ensure timely delivery of materials to library locations.

Strong project management, storytelling, and event planning skills are essential. The successful candidate will be organized, proactive, reliable, flexible/adaptable to change, and committed to upholding SJPL's brand. The Public Information Representative I/II will collaborate with a large, diverse staff, the San José Public Library Foundation, elected offices, and other partners to engage San José's diverse communities, as well as stay current with marketing, local, and library trends.

Additional responsibilities and skills include but are not limited to:

• Create, edit, schedule, organize, and publish digital content, graphics, photographs, and videos using tools such as Lnk.Bio, Flickr, Microsoft SharePoint, Hootsuite, and Constant Contact.

• Manage, publish and write engaging content for blogs, Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Nextdoor, and YouTube, platform analytics to monitor engagement and inform content strategies. Review and ensure digital content meets Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility requirements and WCAG 2.1 standards.

• Support media relations by preparing public information materials and coordinating responses to media inquiries, ensuring accuracy and consistency with SJPL messaging.

• Apply marketing, branding, and project management principles to deliver campaigns; use Excel to analyze metrics, evaluate promotional strategies and recommend improvements.

• Provide excellent customer service to staff, partners, vendors, and the public.

• Support press conferences and special events with photography and visual storytelling, including editing videos, both long form and short form for social media and YouTube.

The Public Information Representative I/II will work independently as well as part of a team to increase awareness of SJPL's free services, programs, and collections. A passion for libraries, education, digital inclusion, and public service is essential. The candidate must also be creative, outgoing, and reliable, with the ability to manage multiple priorities. Bilingual candidates with fluency in Spanish or Vietnamese are encouraged to apply. This position may be required to work evenings and weekends to support public meetings and events.

Minimum Qualifications
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.

Other Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

• Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of, experience with, or ability to learn applicable professional/technical?principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures and policies, and federal and state rules and regulations.

• Multi-Tasking - Demonstrates successful performance under a complex workload, and able to manage multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; uses work plans, timelines, milestones, and similar tools for carrying out strategies and performing recurring tasks; has experience in handling a wide variety of assignments.

• Communication Skills - Demonstrates excellent writing skills communicates and listens effectively and responds in a timely, effective, positive and respectful manner; delivers written reports and correspondence that are professionally clear, accurate, complete, current, and well-organized.

• Customer Service - demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently in a timely, accurate, respectful and friendly manner.

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

• Project Management - ensures support for projects and implements agency goals and strategic objectives.

• 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.

• Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives, anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the 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, one of which may include a practical/writing exercise.
Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

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.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.
The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's for detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City's Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an to explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.
01

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School Diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• College (1 to 29 semester units/ 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester units/ 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units/ 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units/ 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units/ 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree
• Other
• None of the above

02

If you have a Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in a related field, please state the field of study and the issuing accredited college or university.
03

How many years do you have of progressively responsible professional public information, marketing, or public relations experience? Please note: one year of full-time experience = 2080 hours

• Less than two (2) years
• Two (2) years or more

04

An acceptable education substitution for the Public Information Representative I position is experience in public relations, public information, or other related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis upto two years. If you meet the acceptable substitution, please describe your experience in the area/areas listed above.
05

Describe your experience planning, developing, and executing a strategic marketing and communications campaign for diverse audiences. Provide exa