Job Description

Job Description and Duties

This is a limited-term appointment for one year (12 months) with the potential to extend for an additional year (24 months total) with the possibility to become permanent.

The Goal : The Media and Public Information section of the Department of Water Resources (DWR) Public Affairs Office (PAO) is hiring an Assistant Information Officer (IO) who is a proactive communicator and enjoys being part of a creative team.

The Background : DWR is known for having a robust communications office, with specific teams that handle creating content for digital, photography, videography, and graphic design. As part of the Media and Public Information section, the Assistant IO would assist with the professional and technical tasks related to the media relations and public information, including writing, editing, project management, and research.

The Work : Much of DWR’s work is science-driven, since water is a vital resource for California. The Assistant IO should have the ability to take those complex, technical issues and distill the information for the general public’s understanding. The Assistant IO would work under the supervision of the Media and Public Information section supervisor and would primarily assist in areas of content creation, digital production, media and public relations, social media, newsletter production, website updates, community outreach, and internal communications.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

Current Class C California Driver’s License is highly desired. The incumbent must be willing to travel outside of and/or during normal business hours. Job duties may involve working in the field including working at high altitudes and/or rugged terrain under varied and sometimes difficult weather conditions. Periodic statewide travel may be required.

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:

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills and qualifications:

• At least two years of experience writing, editing, and producing content such as digital newsletters, website updates, digital articles, social media posts, fact sheets, news releases, and more for an organization.
• Degree in communications or journalism.
• Skill to proofread collateral, content, etc. to produce professional material
• Ability to distill technical or scientific material into content a layperson would understand.
• Intermediate knowledge of professional/commercial social media accounts and experience successfully managing such accounts.
• Ability to think creatively, exercise initiative, and communicate information clearly.
• Able to monitor and analyze social media performance metrics and provide actionable insights and regular reports.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage competing assignments.
• Ability to prioritize projects and responsibilities to meet deadlines.
• Strong customer service skills to serve internal offices, department partners, and the public.

Benefits

The Natural Resources Agency is a state-of-the-art building with plenty of natural lighting and functionally designed workspaces including sit-stand workstations. Our LEED Platinum headquarters has a full-service cafe, an onsite free fitness center, indoor bicycle storage, and is walking distance to nearby restaurants. Visit our Natural Resources Agency website for more exciting information: 

In addition to state-of-the-art amenities, we offer an award-winning employee recognition program and ongoing learning and development opportunities. It is located right next to Light Rail for an easy commute – we even have a reimbursement subsidy program for public transit! to read about the array of amenities CNRA has to offer.

DWR offers a competitive pay schedule and work-life balance for all its employees. The State of California provides comprehensive benefits packages determined by the employee’s bargaining unit and conditions of employment. to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.

Personal Leave Program 2025: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit 

Special Instructions

To be considered, submit a complete State application (STD. 678), resume, cover letter, and the supplemental questions. Applicants will be disqualified from the selection process if all required documents are not submitted. Please reference SAP Position # 50024553and Job Control # JC - 518825in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.

Supplemental Questions :

Please answer the supplemental questions for the hiring manager’s review. Applications received without the supplemental questions answered will not be considered. The supplemental questions must be typed in 12-point Arial font, titled “Supplemental Questions,” and each question must be included with its answer. The supplemental questions must not exceed two pages in length.

1. What is your experience in planning, writing, and editing written materials such as newsletters, reports, blogs/articles, and fact sheets? Give specific examples of material that you wrote and what resulted from those deliverables.

2. What is at least one specific example of how you collaborated with experts on complex topics to share information with the public? What was created and how was it shared?

3. What is your experience with researching and analyzing data to develop and present a concise report on the topic?

The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, and SROA/Surplus.

Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Candidates who do not follow all the listed application and Statement of Qualification instructions may be disqualified from the selection process. We will be carefully reviewing all submissions, and only the most qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview. The hiring unit will receive only the documents specified in the Required Application Package Documents section.

. This survey is for research purposes only and will not affect application status.

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 - Cover Letter
• Other - See Supplemental Questionnaire information under Special Instructions below.

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