Under the direction of the Southern California Communications Manager, and in consultation with Southern California Regional Director, the Southern California Deputy Regional Director and the Strategic Communications Office in Sacramento, the Public Information Officer is responsible for educating the media and the public in the Southern California region about the California High-Speed Rail Authority and the high-speed rail project through consistent and strategic communications. The incumbent will perform a variety of Spanish language media relations tasks. This position will advise the Southern California Communications Manager on media relations and assist with planning and preparing materials for press conferences and other media events and public presentations in both English and Spanish. This position will serve as a spokesperson for the project to the media, public groups, and individuals inquiring about the high-speed rail project.

Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish is required to be appointed to this position. Bilingual testing will be conducted to certify bilingual Spanish fluency. Certified Spanish bilingual hires will receive an extra pay differential of $200 per month while performing a minimum average of 10% Spanish bilingual related job duties.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions
Part-time telework is available for this position for California residents based on the requirements of the position. Hiring interviews may be available virtually, using teleconferencing or video conferencing options.

While working on-site, the incumbent works in a professional office environment, in a climate-controlled area that may fluctuate in temperature and is under artificial light. The incumbent will be required to use a computer, mouse, and keyboard, and will be required to sit for long periods of time at a computer screen. Employee must be able to focus for long periods of time, multi-task, adapt to changes in priorities, and complete tasks or projects with short notice. Employee must develop and maintain cooperative working relationships and display professionalism and respect for others in all contact opportunities.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• INFORMATION OFFICER I (SPECIALIST)

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-431914

Position #(s):
311-730-5601-901

Working Title:
Public Information Officer (Bilingual)

Classification:
INFORMATION OFFICER I (SPECIALIST) $5,684.00 - $7,114.00 A

Candidates who are new to California state service will be hired at the minimum salary of the classification. For classifications with alternate ranges, range placement is based on education/experience.

# of Positions:
1

Work Location:
Los Angeles County

Telework:
Hybrid

Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information Are you looking for a different type of state government job? Something with a little more excitement and a more fast-paced and fluid environment? How about an opportunity to be part of one of the most remarkable transportation projects in California's history? The California High-Speed Rail Authority is a small and dynamic state agency that is looking for employees who are interested in a challenging and rewarding job opportunity.
Department Website: https://hsr.ca.gov/jobs/

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) fluency in the Spanish language. If the State of California does not have a current record documenting your fluency in this language, you will be required to successfully pass an approved language fluency test prior to being hired.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required for this position. An SOQ is a narrative that describes your qualifications for this position. The SOQ must be no more than two (2) pages, 12-point font, organized and numbered as reflected below. You must respond to all the following items. Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered in the place of the SOQ.

1. Please describe a time when you were responsible in communicating out information about a product/program. Did you utilize a press release or social media, or did you work directly with an individual reporter? Explain why you used the communications tools that you used and what worked best. Did you have any lessons learned?

2. Please describe a time you or your organization worked on a social media campaign. What were the goals and how did you work to achieve those goals?

3. Please describe your role at working at a public event such as a public meeting or tabling event. How did you prepare for the event, and how did you handle potentially difficult questions and/or questions you did not know the answer to?

Applications received without the SOQ will not be considered. For assistance in completing the SOQ, please reach out to the Human Resources contact below.

Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 5/27/2024
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

CA High Speed Rail Authority
Attn: Human Resources
770 L Street, Suite 620, MS 4

Sacramento , CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

CA High Speed Rail Authority
Human Resources
770 L Street, Suite 620, MS 4

Sacramento , CA 95814

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required to apply. Please see above "Special Requirements" section for SOQ instructions.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

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:
• Experience working with the news media, including but not limited to TV, radio, print, and other outlets.
• Experience maintaining social media for a public agency and email marketing outreach.
• Experience using content management systems to create and maintain digital content.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills. Experience consulting with and advising managers, supervisors, and administrators.
• Experience with Associated Press style and guidelines.
• Experience setting up media events, such as but not limited to press conferences.
• Experience attending and speaking at public events, tabling, conferences, and other events.
• Experience preparing for media briefing/interviews by developing talking points, reporter briefings, etc.
• Experience speaking on the record or assisting an individual with speaking on the record.
• Experience writing for social media.
• Ability to analyze issues for their newsworthiness and potential impact on the Authority.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits The State of California offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, vision, dental, a retirement pension, a telework stipend if applicable, and an array of other options.

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

Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://hsr.ca.gov/jobs/
Human Resources Contact:
Human Resources
(916) 669-6606
humanresources@hsr.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
EEO Office
(916) 324-1541
eeo@hsr.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Application Information
The STD. 678 is required and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. Please do not include your Social Security Number, date of birth, veteran status, personal photos, LEAP information, or any other personally identifying information on any documents in your application package.

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.

If applying via postal mail or by dropping off your application, applicants must include JC-431914 and Public Information Officer (Bilingual), 311-730-5601-901 in the 'Job Title' section of the STD. 678 to be considered for this position. Please indicate on the STD 678 your basis of eligibility in the "Explanations" field (i.e. SROA, surplus, reemployment, reinstatement, transfer, or list eligible.)

Surplus/SROA candidates must provide a copy of their surplus/SROA letter with their application. Consideration may be given to applicants on another Department's employment list, provided the criteria are met to transfer the eligibility from the employment list to the Authority's employment list. The High-Speed Rail Authority does not currently offer Training and Development opportunities at this time.

NOTE: To be considered for this job opportunity, applicants must be reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility. If you are new to California State service and you do not have list eligibility, you must take the exam for this classification. To gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin.

Location
This position is headquartered in Los Angeles County at 355 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90071.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.