Information Officer II - Climate Programs

Job Description and Duties

Be California's Climate Storyteller.

Some of the most important climate stories in the world aren't happening in Washington.

They're happening in California.

The California Air Resources Board is looking for an experienced communications professional to help shape the public conversation around the nation's most ambitious climate policies.

As an Information Officer II in CARB's Office of Communications, you'll serve in the Chair's Office—working directly with executive leadership to communicate California's climate agenda to the public, the news media, stakeholders, and decision-makers.

This isn't a traditional public information job.

One day you may be briefing reporters after a Board meeting. The next, you'll be advising leadership on communications strategy for a high-profile regulatory action, coordinating with the Governor's Office and CalEPA, developing multimedia content, or translating complex scientific and regulatory concepts into clear, compelling stories that millions of Californians can understand. These responsibilities align with the position's role as the primary climate media spokesperson, strategic communications advisor, and liaison between technical staff and the Chair's Office.

We're looking for someone who:

• Thrives in fast-moving, high-profile environments.
• Knows how to turn technical information into compelling public stories.
• Is equally comfortable on camera, behind a microphone, or behind a keyboard.
• Can build trusted relationships with reporters, executives, and technical experts.
• Thinks strategically, writes exceptionally well, and performs under pressure.
• Wants to work on issues that matter.

Whether your background is journalism, public affairs, media relations, strategic communications, or public policy, we're looking for someone who understands that great communication can shape public understanding—and public trust.

What You'll Do:

• Serve as CARB's lead media spokesperson on climate issues.
• Advise executive leadership on communications strategy.
• Develop media campaigns and communication plans.
• Write news releases, talking points, speeches, op-eds, social media, and digital content.
• Translate highly technical climate and air quality policies into plain language.
• Collaborate with the Governor's Office, CalEPA, local air districts, and partner agencies.
• Represent one of the world's leading climate agencies before the public and the media.

Why CARB?

California continues to lead the world in climate policy. The communications team behind that work helps ensure Californians understand not only what we're doing—but why it matters. If you want your work to influence statewide policy, support executive leadership, and help communicate solutions to one of the defining issues of our time, we'd like to hear from you.

Be California's Climate Storyteller.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for hybrid in-office work and in-state telework. The amount of telework is at the agency's discretion and is based on the California Air Resources Boards' (CARB) current telework policy. While the CARB may support telework, some in-person attendance is also required. 

The positions at the CARB may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria outlined in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of hybrid telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location at their own expense, as indicated on their duty statement. 

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement does not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.

• Position located in a high-rise building 
• Requires being in a stationary position, consistent with office work, for extended periods. 
• Standard office environment (for example, artificial lighting, controlled temperature, etc.)
• Daily use of a personal computer, office equipment, and/or telephone. 

Special Requirements

Applicants must include a Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) for this recruitment.  Applications without an SQ or including an SQ that does not directly answer all the items below will not be considered.  Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SQ.

• Require Name on SQ 
• Require Job Control Number on SQ 
• Maximum number of pages: 2

1. Describe your experience translating complex or highly technical information into clear, compelling language for the public, news media, or other non-technical audiences.
2. Describe a communications strategy you developed or helped implement for a high-profile, sensitive, or controversial issue.
3. Describe your experience serving as a spokesperson or working directly with members of the news media.
4. Describe a situation where you had to manage multiple competing communications priorities with tight deadlines. How did you prioritize your work, and what was the result?
5. Describe your experience advising executive leadership or senior management on communications issues.
6. What interests you most about serving as an Information Officer II in the California Air Resources Board's Chair's Office, and how have your education, experience, and skills prepared you for this role?

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Outstanding writer and storyteller
• Five-plus years experience in media relations
• Strategic thinker
• Exceptional verbal communicator
• Familiar with social media
• Calm under pressure
• Collaborative leader
• Strong news judgment and political awareness
• Mission-driven
• Independent, solutions-oriented thinker

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

• Nearby (third-party) parking
• Convenient to public transportation
• Gym
• Daycare facility (third-party)

Experience and Education

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678), including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Application packages without this information may experience delayed processing times, and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma.  Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of the United States course/degree equivalency.

Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at

Failure to submit all the required documentation will result in an incomplete application and disqualification from consideration for this position.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other - Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) - Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SQ submission.