Public Information Officer

Salary : $98,217.60 - $117,915.20 Annually
Location : City of Pasco, WA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 2026.PIO
Department: Executive
Division: Communications
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 8/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt


SUMMARY OF POSITION
LOCATION : City of Pasco, WA - On-site

SALARY : $47.22 - $56.69 Hourly / $98,217.60 - $117,915.20 Annually

JOB TYPE : Regular / Full-Time

UNION STATUS: Non-Union

FLSA STATUS : Exempt

WORK SCHEDULE : Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm; occasional evening, weekend, holiday, and after-hours work may be required based on operational needs

CLOSING DATE : Position closed August 21, 2026 at 11:59pm
THE ROLE:

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.

Review Full Job Description
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job.

• 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 :

• 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.

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE:

• 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.

SAFETY/WORK CONDITIONS:

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment with frequent work at meetings, public events, emergency scenes, construction sites, and other field locations.
• Physical : This position requires prolonged computer use, photography and videography in varying indoor and outdoor weather conditions, and occasional lifting and transporting of communications equipment weighing up to approximately 30 pounds.
• This position requires occasional evening, weekend, holiday, and after-hours work, including emergency response and participation in public meetings, community events, and media activities as operational needs dictate.
• Frequent travel throughout the City and surrounding region is required.

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. Explore what the region has to offer:

TriDec :

Visit Tri-Cities :

Digital Visitor Guide :

If you're seeking a fulfilling career that allows you to contribute to a thriving community and grow both personally and professionally, the City of Pasco is the place for you.

Join us in shaping the future and making a real difference and to submit your application by the first review date August 21st, 2026 .

Please call or text HR at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io , with questions regarding employment opportunities with the City of Pasco.
The City of Pasco is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to recruiting and retaining a highly qualified and diverse workforce.

All applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the application and selection process upon request. Individuals who require accommodation must notify the Human Resources Department at the time of application and prior to the closing date by calling View phone number on click.appcast.io.

The City of Pasco is committed to supporting diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

If your experience does not exactly match each and every qualification, apply anyway! You may be exactly what we are looking for!
The City offers a full benefits package with affordable options for full family coverage for medical, dental, vision and life insurance. Maintaining a positive work life balance is important, to help aid this balance, employees receive great vacation, sick, and paid holiday benefits.
01


Do you have a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field?

• Yes
• No

02


How many years of progressively responsible experience do you have in communications, public information, journalism, public relations, marketing, media relations, community engagement, or a related field?

• Less than 1 year
• 1 year but less than 3 years
• 3 years but less than 5 years
• 5 or more years

03


This position requires bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, including reading, writing, speaking, translation, and interpretation. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

Required Question