City of San Jose

Senior Public Information Representative - Energy Department

City of San Jose$130K — $158K *
Energy & Utilities
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, marketing, or related field.
  • 4+ years in public information, marketing, or public relations.
  • Strong strategic and tactical communication skills.
  • Experience in developing effective communication plans.
  • Excellent writing and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

  • Develop marketing and communication plans for SJCE.
  • Support media relations through writing press materials.
  • Present to stakeholders as needed.
  • Create content for social media and other channels.
  • Ensure communication compliance with regulations.
  • Contribute to City Council memos and presentations.
  • Supervise and mentor team members.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision.
  • Employee Assistance Program and life insurance options.
  • Disability and savings plans available.
  • Paid leave and educational reimbursements.
Full Job Description
Salary: $130,472.16 - $158,951.52 Annually
Location : San Jose
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
DEPART: Energy Department
Opening Date: 09/15/2026
Closing Date: 9/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

About the Department
San José Clean Energy, or SJCE, is San José's local, not-for-profit electricity supplier operated by the City of San José's Energy Department. Since 2019, our dedicated and motivated team has provided clean energy for residents and businesses at competitive rates, while also offering community programs, local benefits, and increased transparency and accessibility. SJCE has more than 350,000 customer accounts and has contracted more than 1 GW of power.

Joining our team means that you will be making a big impact on the fight against climate change. SJCE plays an important role in meeting San José's ambitious goal to be carbon neutral by 2030 and in implementing the City's climate action plan, Climate Smart San José. Thanks to SJCE, San Jose has one of the cleanest energy mixes of any large city and offers a 62% renewable product and a 100% renewable product.

Serving our community with respect and integrity is at the core of what we do. We center equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in our work. The department also hosts active staff-led Culture and Racial Equity committees and has won awards for its education and outreach work with Spanish and Vietnamese-speaking communities.

For more information about San José Clean Energy, please visit: www.sanjosecleanenergy.org.

Position Duties
Salary Range for the Senior Public Information Representative classification is:
$130,472.16 - $158,951.52 Annually

This salary range(s) includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates' qualifications and experience.
The Energy Department is seeking to fill one (1) full-time Senior Public Information Representative who is an experienced and savvy senior communicator with strong strategic and tactical abilities. This position will report to the Marketing and Communications Manager and will help lead public information aspart of the Account Services and Marketing and Communications team.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent writing and presentation skills and have substantial experience developing and executing effective communication plans using a wide range of approaches and tools. Collaboration is key for this position; the individual in this role will work with the public information team, internal partners, and external stakeholders to accomplish marketing goals and report on results. In addition, the Senior Public Information Representative will have well-developed interpersonal skills to influence and guide a diverse team of people who may not directly report to them. The ideal candidate will have at least 4 years of experience in public information, marketing, or public relations. Candidates with public sector, corporate, or energy industry experience are invited to apply. Typical duties of this position may include, but are not limited to:
  • Develop Marketing and Communications plans to support SJCE's programs and customer experience, engaging full time staff and outside vendors.
  • Media relations support including writing talking points, press releases, op-eds, etc.
  • Present, as needed, to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Create content for social media, web and various communication channels.
  • Assist with communication compliance with regulatory requirements, including customer notifications.
  • Contribute to City Council memos and presentations.
  • Supervise and coach a team of communication professionals.
  • Cheerleading San Jose's commitment to environmental justice, and a healthier more sustainable world for all.

Minimum Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the fields of journalism, communications, advertising, marketing, public relations, public administration, or closely related fields.
Experience
Four (4) years of increasingly responsible public information, marketing, or public relations experience.

Licensing Requirements (such as driver's license, certifications, etc.)
Possession of a valid driver's license is required.

Form 700
This position requires a disclosure of outside investments, real property interest, income, and business positions. You must complete and file an "Assuming Office Form 700" with the City Clerk's Office within the first 30 days of employment with the office.
Other Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.
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.

Analytical Thinking
Approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

Collaboration
Develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.

Fiscal Management
Understands the relationship of the budget and resources to the strategic plan; complies with administrative controls over funds, contracts, and procurements.

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.

Leadership
Leads by example; demonstrates high ethical standards; remains visible and approachable and interacts with others on a regular basis; promotes a cooperative work environment, allowing others to learn from mistakes; provides motivational supports and direction.

Planning
Acts to align own unit's goals with the strategic direction of the organization; defines tasks and milestones to achieve objectives, while ensuring the optimal use of resources to meet those objectives.

Project Management
Ensures support for projects and implements agency goals and strategic objectives.

Vision/Strategic Thinking
Supports, promotes, and ensures alignment with the organization's vision and values; understands how an organization must change considering internal and external trends and influences; builds a shared vision with others and influences others to translate vision to action.

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

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. 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 Jennifer Macias at
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

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 the candidate's 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.
  • Yes, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above statement regarding the use of AI in the application and interview process.

02

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

03

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.
04

How many years of experience do you have in increasingly responsible public information, marketing, or public relations?
  • Less than four (4) years
  • Four (4) years or more

05

This position may require a State of California Driver's License. Please select the applicable option that best describes your driver's license, or your ability to possess a valid driver's license.
  • State of CA, Class A Driver's License
  • State of CA, Class B Driver's License
  • State of CA, Class C Driver's License
  • I do not possess a State of California Driver's License but, I can obtain one.
  • I do not possess a State of California Driver's License and I cannot obtain one

06

Please describe your experience developing and implementing strategic communications, public relations, or marketing plans. Include an example of a communications challenge or initiative you led, the audiences and communications channels involved, your role in developing the strategy, and how you measured results.
07

Please describe your experience with media relations and professional writing. Include examples of the types of materials you have developed, such as press releases, media pitches, talking points, speeches, op-eds, articles, executive communications, reports, or other long-form content. Please also describe your approach to ensuring content is accurate, we

About City of San Jose

The City of San Jose is the third-largest city in California and the largest city in Silicon Valley. It is the county seat of Santa Clara County and is located in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area. The city is known for its high-tech industry and is home to many of the world's largest technology companies. The City of San Jose provides a wide range of services to its residents, including public safety, transportation, and parks and recreation. The city has a strong commitment to sustainability and has implemented many programs to reduce its carbon footprint and promote renewable energy.
Learn more about City of San Jose
Size
7,000 employees
Industry
Revenue
$4 billion

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