**Initial review of applications starts on 7/24/2026**This is a Part-Time Position, up to 19-hours per week**
The City of Palm Desert provides exemplary and sustainable services, amenities and programs for the benefit of the local and surrounding communities. When you interact with a City employee, you will find our collaborative, driven and efficient staff working together to provide strategic solutions for the community and each other. We are a city focused on external and internal customer service and try to find a way to say “yes,” while not compromising the City’s or our own integrity.
Our efforts are guided by our core values:
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Integrity
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Stewardship
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Service
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Community
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Innovation
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Teamwork
Our employees are passionate about innovation, collaboration and growth, which is supported by the City’s Council and Executive Team. We are an environment that thrives on making changes, pivoting quickly, and is full of movers and shakers. We are constantly striving to improve processes and better our approach so that we can better support the needs of the City. If you have growth mindset and find change exciting, the City of Palm Desert may be your ideal working environment!
THE OPPORTUNITY
The City of Palm Desert is seeking a proficient Communications Assistant to support the Communications Division with content creation, public outreach, and administrative coordination. This role assists with producing and editing video and photo content, drafting press releases and public notices, developing written stories highlighting City programs, and supporting social media, website, and digital communications. The position also provides essential administrative and technical support, including data collection, report preparation, document design, and event assistance. Candidates with strong writing skills, multimedia capabilities, and the ability to translate complex information into clear public messaging are encouraged to apply.
Appointment to this position is expected to fall within the salary range of $31.30 to 36.22 hourly; however, the final amount will be carefully determined based on the candidate’s knowledge, skills, qualifications, and an evaluation of internal equity within the organization. Exceptional candidates with highly relevant experience and credentials may be considered for compensation above the anticipated hiring range.
Under general supervision, assists the Communications Division with research, planning, scheduling, and organizing in areas of communications, social media, video, events, and related activities. Supports the division with a wide range of administrative activities: gather data and generate reports; keep current on activities, events and attractions in the City and the Coachella Valley as well as current trends in marketing and tourism. This position will be required to assist with special events, as needed, that may include working on weekend and evenings. This class is distinguished from Communications Specialist by a lower level of required independent judgment and responsibility.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff
Communications Assistant: This is the entry-level class in the Communications classification system. This is an entry-level position. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform work that has technical and programmatic aspects, requiring the interpretation and application of policies, procedures, and regulations, as well as performing various research functions. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform independently. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the Communications Specialist level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods.
Communications Specialist: This is the fully-qualified journey-level class in the Communications classification system. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Communications Assistant level in that incumbents possess a comprehensive, authoritative understanding of department or division functions and activities, and provide support to management staff in the completion of their duties, in addition to completing administrative and technical assignments and assisting in managing department projects and programs. Incumbents at this level are capable of performing advanced and complex technical and programmatic support duties requiring the use of considerable discretion and independent judgment in performing assigned work, and have responsibility for ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of assigned program or operational area. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to deliver work products or services. Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements.
These classifications are flexibly staffed and positions at the Communications Specialist level may be filled by advancement from the Communications Assistant level; progression to the Communications Specialist level is subject to management approval and is dependent on the incumbent (i) performing the full range of duties assigned to the Communications Assistant level, and (ii) acquiring the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to meet the minimum qualifications for the Communications Specialist level of the series.
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed job functions depending on functional area of assignment.
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Produce, edit, and assist in the creation of short-form video content for social media, website, and public outreach
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Provide narration and voiceover for video projects and informational content
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Write, draft, and edit press releases, media advisories, and public notices
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Develop compelling written stories highlighting City programs, services, events, and community impact
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Assist in capturing video and photo content at City events, meetings, and field locations
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Support storytelling across digital platforms (social media, website, email communications)
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Collaborate with departments to gather information and translate technical topics into accessible public messaging
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Maintain consistency with City branding, messaging standards, and communications guidelines
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Helps to organize communications for programs and events.
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Contributes to data collection and monthly statistics reporting
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Provides administrative, programmatic, and technical support for assigned department or division in the daily management of operations.
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Verifies and reviews forms and reports for completeness and conformance with established regulations and procedures; applies departmental and program policies and procedures in determining completeness of applications, records, and files.
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Designs, creates, and edits a variety of documents, including correspondence, letters, memos, agendas, reports, lists, forms, schedules, flyers, event materials, and statistical reports.
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Researches, summarizes, and interprets data from various sources and prepares a variety of reports according to established procedures and practices; may submit reports to various local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.
Knowledge of:
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Experience in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, digital media, or a related field
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Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills with attention to clarity and accuracy
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Basic knowledge of video production, editing, and content creation tools
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Ability to provide clear voice narration and communicate effectively on camera
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Ability to translate complex or technical information into accessible public-facing content
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Strong organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
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Familiarity with social media platforms and digital communications practices
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Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, CapCut, Final Cut Pro, or similar production tools
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Photography/videography and event coverage experience
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Modern office management practices, procedures, technology, and computer equipment and applications, including word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.
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Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and City policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
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Record keeping and filing systems and methods.
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Principles and practices of data research, analysis, and report preparation.
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Methods of preparing and processing various records, reports, forms, and other documents specific to assigned program, department, or division.
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English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
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Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
Ability to:
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Develop compelling written materials including press releases, media advisories, and feature stories
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Create, edit, and publish multimedia content including video, photography, and narration
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Translate complex or technical subject matter into clear, accessible public information
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Communicate effectively with staff, leadership, media representatives, and the public
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Collaborate across departments to collect information and develop accurate messaging
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Work independently with general direction while exercising sound judgment in content development
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Meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
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Maintain consistency with established City communications standards and branding guidelines
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Adapt tone, style, and messaging across various platforms and audiences
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Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
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Interpret, apply, and explain applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and City policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
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Gather, analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
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Maintain accurate databases, records, and files.
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Maintain confidentiality and be discreet in handling and processing confidential information and data.
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Compose correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions.
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Perform arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations accurately.
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Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
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Effectively use computer systems, software, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
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Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
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Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
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Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be
Communications Assistant/Specialist: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by college-level coursework or vocational training related to marketing, tourism, communications, and/or hospitality.
Communications Assistant: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible and varied administrative support experience is required. Increasingly responsible and varied journalism, public relations, marketing, digital media, or a related field, is preferred.
Communications Specialist: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible and varied journalism, public relations, marketing, digital media, or a related field.
Licenses and Certifications:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment may be required for certain assignments.
Licenses and Certifications:
None.
Physical Demands
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds with the use of proper equipment. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals on a case-by-case basis.
Environmental Elements
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
