Public Information Officer

Public Information Officer

The City of Pasco is looking for a bilingual storyteller, marketer, and community builder who wants to make a real impact.

This isn't a typical communications job. One hour you might be creating a social media campaign, the next you're filming a stand-up, responding to media requests, translating materials into Spanish, supporting a public engagement initiative, or assisting with communications during an emergency.

As Public Information Officer, you will help develop and deliver public information, communication plans, media relations, digital content, and outreach efforts that inform residents, promote City programs and services, strengthen public trust, and increase meaningful community engagement.

The work is fast paced, demanding, and constantly changing. You'll juggle multiple priorities, solve unexpected problems, and sometimes be the public face of difficult conversations. Not every comment on social media will be positive, so you'll need professionalism, resilience, and the ability to stay focused on serving the community.

In return, you'll have an opportunity that's hard to find elsewhere. You'll help shape how one of Washington's fastest-growing cities communicates with more than 80,000 residents. You'll build meaningful relationships across a vibrant and diverse community, help residents better understand their local government, and play a key role in expanding public engagement for years to come.

You will collaborate with City departments, elected officials, media representatives, residents, businesses, community organizations, partner agencies, and other stakeholders to develop clear, accurate, timely, accessible, and culturally appropriate communications across multiple platforms.

The ideal candidate is fluent in both English and Spanish, thrives on variety, enjoys creative problem solving, communicates with empathy, and believes that great local government starts with great communication.

Required minimum qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public information, journalism, public relations, marketing, media relations, community engagement, or a related field.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, including reading, writing, speaking, translation, and interpretation.
• Ability to travel to various work locations as needed to perform assigned duties.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience serving as a public spokesperson or coordinating media relations.
• Experience preparing news releases, media advisories, public statements, talking points, background materials, and other public information materials.
• Experience creating multimedia content, including photography, videography, graphics, podcasts, scripts, presentations, or social media content.
• Experience managing digital communications, social media platforms, website content, newsletters, email marketing, or public information campaigns.
• Experience supporting public engagement, community outreach, public meetings, or community events.
• Experience assisting with emergency, crisis, or high-profile communications.
• Knowledge of public records, open public meetings, accessibility, copyright, and public communication best practices.
• Strong customer service, organization, project management, writing, editing, public speaking, and relationship-building skills.

The City offers a full benefits package for the employee and all eligible dependents covered at low premiums including:

• Medical coverage is available at tiered monthly rates based on plan selection and coverage level. Dental coverage is available at $11.59/month and vision coverage at $6.54/month.
• Basic life insurance paid for by the City and employee sponsored supplemental life insurance.
• 12 days of vacation during the 1st year of employment and 12 days of sick leave which are available for use upon accrual.
• 10 holidays, plus each employee receives 1 floating holiday each year.
• Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS), which offers a guaranteed monthly benefit once vesting criteria has been met.
• In addition to DRS, employees may also contribute to a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, that offers a pre-tax contribution of 4% from the City.
• Other benefits offered: Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Assistance, Flexible Spending Plan, Long-Term Disability, Aflac, and Flexible Schedule, per department approval.

Thinking about calling the Tri-Cities home? With over 300 days of sunshine a year, a thriving wine and culinary scene, and easy access to the Columbia and Snake Rivers, the Tri-Cities offers a great quality of life.