Communications Staff Specialist bei County of Orange, CA

About the Department

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

This recruitment will establish an Open eligible list that will be used to fill current and future Staff Specialist positions. The eligible list established may also be used to fill position in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.  

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open until 11:59pm on Thursday, November 6, 2025.  Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

OC WASTE & RECYCLING
OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs through resource recovery, operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises and promoting recycling to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. The department manages one of the nation's premier solid waste disposal systems and three composting greenery sites, all serving residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and its unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active landfills reflect environmental engineering at its best.  
 

OC WASTE & RECYCLING
 OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) serves the County’s solid waste disposal needs through resource recovery, operating public landfills, protecting the local environment, investing in renewable energy enterprises and promoting recycling to ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. The department manages one of the nation's premier solid waste disposal systems and three composting greenery sites, all serving residents and businesses in the County’s 34 cities and its unincorporated areas. OCWR’s three active landfills reflect environmental engineering at its best.  
  
THE OPPORTUNITY 
 The Communications Staff Specialist position will be responsible for graphic design and communications to internal and external stakeholders as well as the general public. The incumbent will analyze how state and federal legislation impacts the department, create written content for marketing and communications support, and work with department managers, site staff and partner with agencies to meet tight deadlines and requirements. In addition, the incumbent will support the Strategic Communications team with event and public meeting staffing and logistic needs, presentation development, reporting, and data analysis support.

Job duties include but are not limited to:

• Marketing content development and support such as web copy, fact sheets, blogs, press releases, social media posts, surveys, newsletter content, flyers, public mailings, videos/reels and other graphic design projects
• Miscellaneous internal and external communications support including presentation materials, Board Office and public inquiries, data analytics, and media/public event support
• Events and speaking opportunities, data tracking and management
• Maintaining unit records, data, and documentation
• Administrative support and other duties as required

  
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS 
The ideal candidate will have three (3) years of experience in communications, marketing or related field. 
 
The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to understand the department's communication goals, strategically determine  how best to advance them, and support the development and implementation of communications programs to achieve them.
   
 In addition, the ideal candidate will demonstrate experience in the following  core competencies:
   
Technical Knowledge | Skills 

• Graphic design software such as Adobe Creative Cloud (including InDesign, Premiere, Illustrator and Photoshop) and related programs such as Canva
• Content creation (writing & editing) for various communications tools (social media, newsletters, brochures, flyers, etc.)
• Photography, video and editing experience for the creation of short form messaging campaigns and special events 
• Experience with Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple iMovie, DaVinci Resolve or similar software 
• Knowledge and utilization of social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram/IGTV, LinkedIn, Vimeo and/or YouTube
• Proficient with computer programs such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Teams
• Data analytics and monitoring 

Effective Communication

• Demonstrates the ability to articulate ideas clearly and effectively through written and verbal communication.
• Utilizes effective communications skills to convey and depict OCWR’s goals to staff and stakeholders 
• Develops effective press releases, articles, website content, and other messaging pieces
• Collaborates with department staff and management to research, develop and create marketing material
• Creates visually enhanced messaging specific to varying communication channels and methods (e.g., presentations, electronic dissemination, social media)
• Demonstrates skill in presenting information and creative concepts clearly, accurately and persuasively, tailored to the intended audience

Planning and Prioritization

•  Manages multiple tasks, priorities, and available resources to meet deadlines
• Coordinates with others in response to multiple, competing demands to ensure work is completed in a timely manner
• Accepts ownership and responsibility for assigned duties

Adaptability

• Understands and is flexible to changes in work tasks, situations, and environment, while maintaining a positive attitude
• Performs effectively and makes sound decisions under pressure
• Adjusts timelines, results and expectations appropriately when needed
• Works independently when needed and is reliable with deadlines, punctuality and commitments

Minimum Qualifications
Click here for the complete classification for Staff Specialist including the minimum qualifications and working conditions.  
  
REQUIRED LICENSE 
Possession of a valid California Driver's License, Class C or higher, by date of appointment and while employed in the assignment.
  
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.  
   
Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)
Applicants will be interviewed and rated by an oral interview panel of job knowledge experts. Each applicant's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the applicant's qualifications for the job. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list.

Based on the department's needs, the recruitment procedures listed above may be modified.  All candidates will be notified of changes in the selection process.  

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.  
   
Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.

Position Duties

EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process.  Please ensure your correct email address is included in your application and use only one email account.  
Note:  User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.  

Candidate will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the governmentjobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com". If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.  

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact John Duckson at (714) 834-4655 or [email protected]

Minimum Qualifications

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.