Communications Assistant

Overview The City of Palm Desert provides exemplary and sustainable services, amenities and programs for the benefit of the local and surrounding communities. When you interact with a City employee, you will find our collaborative and efficient staff working together to provide strategic solutions for the community and each other. We are a city focused on external and internal customer service and try to find a way to say “yes,” while not compromising the City’s or our own integrity. Salary Appointment to this position is expected to fall within the salary range of $65,104 to $75,338; however, the final amount will be carefully determined based on the candidate’s knowledge, skills, qualifications, and an evaluation of internal equity within the organization. Exceptional candidates with highly relevant experience and credentials may be considered for compensation above the anticipated hiring range. Responsibilities Produce, edit, and assist in the creation of short‑form video content for social media, website, and public outreach. Provide narration and voice‑over for video projects and informational content. Write, draft, and edit press releases, media advisories, and public notices. Develop compelling written stories highlighting City programs, services, events, and community impact. Assist in capturing video and photo content at City events, meetings, and field locations. Support storytelling across digital platforms (social media, website, email communications). Collaborate with departments to gather information and translate technical topics into accessible public messaging. Maintain consistency with City branding, messaging standards, and communications guidelines. Organize communications for programs and events. Contribute to data collection and monthly statistics reporting. Provide administrative, programmatic, and technical support for assigned department or division in the daily management of operations. Verify and review forms and reports for completeness and conformance with established regulations and procedures. Design, create, and edit a variety of documents, including correspondence, letters, memos, agendas, reports, lists, forms, schedules, flyers, event materials, and statistical reports. Research, summarize, and interpret data from various sources and prepare reports according to established procedures; may submit reports to various local, state, and federal regulatory agencies. Knowledge of Experience in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, digital media, or a related field. Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills with attention to clarity and accuracy. Basic knowledge of video production, editing, and content creation tools. Ability to provide clear voice narration and communicate effectively on camera. Ability to translate complex or technical information into accessible public‑facing content. Strong organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment. Familiarity with social media platforms and digital communications practices. Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, CapCut, Final Cut Pro, or similar production tools. Photography/videography and event coverage experience. Modern office management practices, procedures, technology, and computer equipment and applications, including word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications. Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and City policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility. Record keeping and filing systems and methods. Principles and practices of data research, analysis, and report preparation. Methods of preparing and processing various records, reports, forms, and other documents specific to assigned program, department, or division. English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff. Ability to Develop compelling written materials including press releases, media advisories, and feature stories. Create, edit, and publish multimedia content including video, photography, and narration. Translate complex or technical subject matter into clear, accessible public information. Communicate effectively with staff, leadership, media representatives, and the public. Collaborate across departments to collect information and develop accurate messaging. Work independently with general direction while exercising sound judgment in content development. Meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment. Maintain consistency with established City communications standards and branding guidelines. Adapt tone, style, and messaging across various platforms and audiences. Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities. Interpret, apply, and explain applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and City policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility. Gather, analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner. Maintain accurate databases, records, and files. Maintain confidentiality and be discreet in handling and processing confidential information and data. Compose correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions. Perform arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations accurately. Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines. Effectively use computer systems, software, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks. Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines. Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Education and Experience Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Equivalence to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college‑level coursework or vocational training related to marketing, tourism, communications, and/or hospitality. Three (3) years of increasingly responsible and varied administrative support experience; increasing experience in journalism, public relations, marketing, digital media, or a related field is preferred. Five (5) years of increasingly responsible and varied experience in journalism, public relations, marketing, digital media, or a related field. Licenses and Certifications Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment may be required for certain assignments. None. Physical Demands Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds with the use of proper equipment. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals on a case‑by‑case basis. Environmental Elements Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. #J-18808-Ljbffr