Communications Director

Communications Director

The Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco (the Court), is actively seeking highly qualified applicants interested in serving as Communications Director to plan, organize, coordinate, and administer public information program activities of the Court; represent the Court on public and media relations matters; produce Court publications, prepare reports, and organize community outreach efforts; administer the internal communications strategy of the Court, responsible for producing and delivering messages on behalf of management as well as facilitating employee engagement; and perform other job-related duties as required.

This selection process is being conducted in accordance with San Francisco Superior Court Personnel Rule 4. An eligibility list will not be established.

Final filing date: 12:00PM, June 24, 2026

Compensation: $4,675.78 to $5,683.73 biweekly ($121,570 to $147,777 annually)

The Court offers a generous flexible benefits program which includes a variety of health, dental, life insurance plans, and other benefit options; a contributory retirement plan; a deferred compensation savings program; paid vacation, sick leave, floating holidays, and holiday pay.

Work is performed in an office and in various courtroom locations throughout the City and County of San Francisco; continuous contact with judicial officers, attorneys, litigants, the news media, community organizations, other staff, and the general public. Works under sometimes difficult and stressful conditions, with frequent deadlines and with the expectation to produce high quality work under limited time constraints. The ability to work independently as well as closely with others is required. This is an executive management position exempt from the FLSA. Often, the Communications Director must be available for contact and comment during both normal and off duty hours.

Physical Requirements: Strength, dexterity, and coordination and/or ability to use a computer keyboard and read a video display terminal on a regular basis and for extended period of time; ability to read and listen to verbal or written requests and then respond accordingly; dexterity and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper; ability to lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs. Standing and sitting for long periods of time is periodically required; use of office equipment, including, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX.

Required qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in journalism, business administration, public administration, industrial relations or other related field, and

Four years of increasingly responsible work experience in journalism, public information, or public relations, with primary emphasis on the dissemination of information through various communications media.

Desirable qualifications:

• Knowledge of principals and techniques of effective public communications, public relations, news media relations, and community outreach programs.
• Methods and techniques of issues and image management.
• Public relations strategies, including methods and techniques for creating effective media and public relations materials.
• Industry trends and media practices, as they apply to developing and implementing public information/public affairs programs.
• Court functions and operations and associated public information and media relations issues.
• Principles and practices of sound business communications, including correct English usage.
• Layout and editing techniques; automated techniques in developing audiovisual presentations.
• Interviewing, research methods, and analysis techniques.
• Legal terminology and procedures used in court cases.
• Program development, implementation, and evaluation.

Ability to:

• Plan and direct a broad range of programs and services directed to building and maintaining the Court's image in the community and with key stakeholders.
• Analyze and make sound recommendations on complex civic, community, and governmental relations, media relations, community outreach, and public affairs issues and strategies.
• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply local, state, and federal policies, laws, regulations, and court decisions governing areas of responsibility.
• Develop concepts and design specific methods and techniques to improve internal communication and the distribution of information of general interest to other agencies.
• Convey messages through the development of graphic treatments and persuasive writing.
• Present proposals and recommendations clearly, logically, and persuasively.
• Exercise sound, expert independent judgment and political acumen within general policy guidelines.
• Exercise tact, diplomacy, and discretion in dealing with highly sensitive, complex, confidential, and controversial issues and situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with judicial officers, Court managers and employees, other governmental agencies, the public, and others encountered in the course of work.
• Interpret, explain, and apply a variety of codes, statutes, policies, rules, procedures, instructions, and regulations related to Court functions and courtroom procedures.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate records and reports.
• Use a personal computer and appropriate software for word processing, record keeping, and court administrative functions.
• Effectively represent the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, in answering questions, responding to inquiries, providing assistance, and dealing with concerns from the public, community organizations, other Court staff, and other government agencies.
• Maintain confidential information when required by legal or ethical standards.

To apply, interested individuals must apply online and include a valid email address where the applicant can receive future correspondence regarding the position. To be considered for the position, applicants must submit ALL the following items:

• San Francisco Superior Court online employment application (fully completed).
• Resume.
• One-page cover letter explaining why the applicant is interested in the position, and briefly describing the experience and education applicable to the position.

The online application, resume, and cover letter are very important to the selection process. It is recommended that applicants review the information in this announcement and on the application very carefully. Once the application has been submitted, it cannot be corrected, changed, or resubmitted. All applications must be submitted by the final filing date and time indicated in this announcement.

Applicants will be required to respond to the two items listed below when completing the online application.

1. Describe how your education, training, and career experiences have prepared you for this management position.
2. Describe how you would address and respond to this scenario: A local group of attorneys has requested a meeting with judges to discuss a variety of issues, some of which may be associated with a case. However, the Code of Judicial Ethics prohibits judges from communicating about particular issues without all parties present.

Initial screening:

Complete application packages received by the final filing date and time will be evaluated to determine if applicants meet the minimum qualifications. The Court will further evaluate these documents and may interview only those applicants it deems may best meet the needs of the Court. Not all applicants will receive an interview.

Oral interview and exercise:

Selected applicants will be interviewed to determine their relative knowledge, abilities, and skill levels in job-related areas. Applicants may also be required to participate in a skills exercise related to job factors. If interviews and the skills exercise are scheduled, it is anticipated that they will be conducted in July 2026.

Qualified applicants with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodation to participate in the selection process should complete the relevant section of the employment application.

Other appointment information:

Employment is subject to security clearance. Any false statement or omission of material fact may cause forfeiture of employment. Information presented on employment applications, resumes, and attachments, and during the selection process is subject to verification. Employees are prohibited from engaging in activities which conflict with the interests of the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco.

Immigration laws require that all employees hired after November 6, 1986, must provide proof of work eligibility. At the time of appointment to a position, all applicants must possess a valid Social Security number, and will be required to present original documents which verify citizenship or legal alien status as well as identity (such as a social security card and driver's license, or a green card and a driver's license, or a valid U.S. passport).

The Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants shall not be favored or discriminated against because of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, union activity, political affiliation, or other non-merit factor.