Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Public Affairs Specialist for a contract opportunity in Palmdale, CA. This role supports a public sector organization by developing strategic internal and external communications, managing public information efforts, supporting media relations, and helping build trust with customers, community members, employees, elected officials, and other stakeholders.

This is an excellent opportunity for a communications professional who enjoys translating technical information into clear, accessible messaging for the public. The work environment offers supportive leadership, cross-functional collaboration, meaningful community programs, and the opportunity to contribute to public-facing initiatives that directly support local residents and essential services.

Key Responsibilities

- Develop, write, edit, and distribute public information materials for websites, newsletters, bill inserts, fact sheets, reports, advertising, press releases, social media, scripts, and presentations.
- Work with internal subject matter experts to gather, fact-check, and simplify technical information, government documents, project updates, and policy details for diverse audiences.
- Support media relations activities, including press events, interviews, editorial visits, site visits, and preparation of informational materials for news media and stakeholders.
- Create, monitor, edit, and post social media content while responding to inquiries and comments in alignment with established communication guidelines.
- Capture and manage photography and video content for use in digital communications, publications, advertising, media relations, and community outreach.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with customers, community groups, employees, news media, and other stakeholders to support organizational trust, reputation, and engagement.

Compensation and Benefits

- Pay range: $35.00 to $50.00 per hour.
- Job type: Contract/Temporary.
- Contract length: Approximately 3 to 4 months, with potential to extend.
- Location: Palmdale, CA.
- Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 4/10 schedule.
- Hours: Approximately 24 to 32 hours per week.
- Scheduling: Some flexibility based on the selected candidate and client needs.

Required Qualifications and Skills

- Develop and implement internal and external communication materials for public programs, projects, policies, and community initiatives.
- Coordinate media relations, public information campaigns, stakeholder communications, and community outreach activities.
- Create written, digital, visual, and social media content for multiple public-facing communication channels.
- Review technical materials and government documents, then translate complex information into clear messaging for general audiences.

- 6 to 10 years of relevant experience in public affairs, public information, media relations, communications, journalism, community relations, or a related field.
- Bachelor's degree in Public Affairs, Journalism, Graphic Design, Communications, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
- Strong writing, editing, proofreading, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary skills.
- Knowledge of public information methods, strategic communications, media relations, social media, publications, and community outreach.
- Ability to communicate complex technical topics in simple, accurate, and audience-appropriate language.
- Knowledge of local and state government functions, public sector processes, and stakeholder communications.
- Proficiency with website content, publications, social media content, and public information channels.
- Experience with photography, video capture, image selection, and visual communication.
- Knowledge of graphic arts, InDesign, printing methods, production terminology, and communication design principles.
- English and Spanish grammar, writing, composition, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective working relationships with staff, media, community groups, customers, and public stakeholders.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments, shifting priorities, and deadline-driven work in an unpredictable public information environment.
- Sound judgment in preparing, reviewing, and disseminating public communications.
- Ability to work irregular hours as needed for media inquiries, public meetings, community events, or urgent communications.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
- Ability to read printed and digital materials, communicate in person and by phone, and conduct tours of facilities as needed.
- Must be able to complete a background check and 5-panel drug screening.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience working in government, public utilities, water services, municipal communications, or public sector community relations.
- Experience conducting on-the-record media interviews or preparing spokesperson materials.
- Strong social media management experience in a public agency, community-focused, or regulated environment.
- Experience producing annual reports, public notices, newsletters, fact sheets, presentations, and public education materials.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

The Know Your Rights poster is available here:
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf

The pay transparency policy is available here:
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf

For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

AppleOne participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf

We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.