Job Posting: Public Information Officer

Department of Transportation

JC-521704
-
Public Information Officer
INFORMATION OFFICER I (SPECIALIST)

$6,031.00 - $7,775.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 6/30/2026

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the Public lnformation Branch Chief the Public Information Officer (PIO) is responsible to communicate to general public and will manage multiple tasks and assignments with attention to detail. The PIO is responsible for department and community advocacy, media relations, strategic planning, and project delivery support. Punctual, regular attendance and able to legally operate a motor vehicle in the state of California.

Parf 04-26-0687 JC 521704

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans’s evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

Please take this 1-minute Caltrans Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job. 

 

https://forms.office.com/g/RyK102ty4G

 

https://youtu.be/oC9wIp8QalI

 

Apply today to join our team!  We especially encourage applicants to check out our Caltrans Career Compass tool!  The Caltrans Career Compass is a tool to assist and help candidates understand and succeed in applying to Caltrans positions.



You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Position located at 111 Grand Ave Oakland, Alameda County.

While at the district office, employee will work in a climate-controlled office under artificial light. Employee will primarily work in a workstation cubicle in a shared office. Core working hours will be set sometime between 7:30am and 5:30pm; however, may need to respond to incidents within the District's nine (9) counties at night, on the weekend or after work hours. Employee may also be exposed to a variety of hazardous and/or unpleasant field conditions including working next to high speed traffic, during darkness, during wet, rainy, cold or hot weather or any other type of weather conditions. Employee may be exposed to unpleasant traffic accident scenes which could include seriously injured or deceased persons. Frequent travel is required throughout the nine counties of District 4 boundaries or infrequently statewide. Travel to Caltrans projects will be necessary. Overtime may be required and vacations may be restricted during peak periods. Employees will also periodically be required to travel and work outdoors and may be exposed to dirt, noise, uneven surfaces, or temperature extremes. This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans's current telework policy. While Caltrans supports telework, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate may be required to conduct business travel on behalf of the Department or commute to the headquartered location. Business travel reimbursements considers an employee's designated Headquarters Location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate."

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-521704
Position #(s):
904-012-5601-014
Working Title:
Public Information Officer
Classification:
INFORMATION OFFICER I (SPECIALIST)
$6,031.00 - $7,775.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Alameda County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.

Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.

The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.

Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov 

Director’s EEO Policy: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Director’s EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Special Requirements

  • Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Failure to submit a Statement of Qualifications will disqualify candidates from the hiring process.

Please include a 1-page Statement of Qualifications, answering the following:

1. What is your experience, if any, working with or for newspapers, television, radio and/or online media?
2. Please detail duties, and years of experience fielding complaints and inquiries, researching and analyzing for answers and solutions, and providing responses in writing or verbally.
3. Describe experience crafting speeches, talking points, sound bites or other informational broadcasts.

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: 6/30/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP 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. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

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:

Department of Transportation
N/A
Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact
Certification Services MS-90
P O Box 168036
Sacramento, CA 95816-8036

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Transportation
Drop-Off Address
Caltrans DHR Contact
Classification and Hiring Unit - ECOS
1727 30th Street, MS 90
Sacramento, CA 95816
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 -

    Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see the Special Requirements section for SOQ instructions.

    • Additional documents that may be required by the Program:

    Writing Sample is required.  Please see the Special Requirements section for Writing Sample 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:
Must have knowledge of modern office methods and equipment, including personal computers and their software, must communicate effectively and clearly booth verbally and in writing (letters, fact sheets, interoffice memos/e-mail notices, etc). Must have knowledge of district, government and local activities. This position requires a high degree of expertise in many areas dealing with laws and policies affecting the department. Must also have the knowledge of methods used to determine needs for public information-techniques of preparing, producing and disseminating information. Must be skilled at handling multiple task and projects in various stage of development and implementation. Must be able to meet deadlines. Must have knowledge of techniques for preparing, producing and disseminating information utilizing all major media communication channels; principles and techniques of establishing and maintaining good relations with news media and other public groups and knowledge of local government operations, public event management, and marketing. Must be skilled at writing, including proper grammar usage, spelling and punctuation. Must possess the ability to write, edit, and prepare for publication or reproduction news releases, magazines, articles, correspondence, booklets, brochures, pamphlets, reports, speeches, scripts for radio, television and other informational material. Must have ability to analyze data, develop and evaluate alternatives. Must possess the ability to express and present ideas and information effectively, both orally and in writing. Develop and maintain good working relationships with management, staff, elected officials, partners, members of the media, the general public and community organizations. Must possess the ability to think quickly and respond appropriately.
Analyzes and solves communication problems, including those dealing with public attitudes. Immediate reaction is often a necessary part of dealing with communication problems. Must be able to provide rapid analysis of alternatives and potential impacts. Appreciation of news values; ability to analyze situation accurately and adopt effective course for action; demonstrated capacity for assuming progressively greater responsibility; emotional stability under stress; appreciation of the need to inform and educate the public on various phases of the district's programs; ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relations with news media and other public groups; ability to gain and hold the confidence and respect of those contacted while work is performed. Must be skilled at working with people and have ability to work cooperatively with other public information office staff and peer group. Must be able to participate in public relations activities after normal working hours. Requires the ability to travel independently and set up miscellaneous multimedia and miscellaneous equipment for presentations or events.

Benefits

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

Click HERE  to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Human Resources Contact:
David Maxwell
(279) 234-2433
David.Maxwell@dot.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Nicolas Singh
(510) 385-6900
nicolas.singh@dot.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:
Caltrans EEO Office
(844) 368-3367
Ask.eeo@dot.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.

Important Application Instructions:

The State application (STD. 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. For mailed or hand delivered applications to be considered for this position, the Job Control number (JC-521704), PARF# 04-26-0687 and title of the position (INFORMATION OFFICER I (SPECIALIST)) must be included on the STD. 678 form.

 

Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.

 

Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.

 

NOTE: Do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts.  Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number, birth date, driver’s license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age.  The job application packet checklist is not required to apply for this position.  Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for this position.

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.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job