Senior Public Information Specialist - Emergency Appointment

Position/Program Information

Applications will be accepted from Friday, October 9, 2026 until the department hiring needs are met. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.

Exam Number: AG1609A-EA

The LA County Board of Supervisors recently declared a local state of emergency for homelessness, and the County is working to revise and expand our response to help all who are affected. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to help us in the mission of addressing issues like housing, mental health, and substance use. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.

Aging and Disabilities is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Senior Public Information Specialist vacancies related to the homelessness crisis.

Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.

During your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%.

Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Senior Information Public Specialist.

The position is located at Aging and Disabilities' headquarters located at 510 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90020. The department has an established hybrid telework schedule, subject to changes based on operational needs.

• Serve as an advisor on media relations, messaging, and communications planning.
• Lead the development and review of executive communications, including speeches, talking points, statements, briefing materials, and leadership messaging.
• Lead and supervise Public Information staff, providing technical direction, and quality control of communications products.
• Develop and execute proactive and reactive media relations strategies, including story pitching, press coordination, and interview facilitation.
• Serve as primary liaison to media outlets, cultivating and maintaining effective relationships with journalists and news organizations.
• Draft, edit, and approve press releases, statements, speeches, talking points, and editorial content for the Department’s newsroom and publications.
• Coordinate and respond to media inquiries and interview requests, including those involving sensitive, high-profile, or complex issues.
• Manage communications related to California Public Records Act (CPRA) requests in coordination with County Counsel and internal stakeholders.
• Monitor media coverage and emerging issues; recommend appropriate response strategies.
• Lead communications during emergency or crisis situations, ensuring timely, accurate, and coordinated messaging.
• Plan and support press conferences, public events, and outreach efforts.
• Develop and support internal communications initiatives to ensure alignment across the Department.
• May be required to travel to various worksites and respond outside of standard business hours, as needed.

A Bachelor's degree
* from an accredited college or university with a major in Communications, Journalism, Public Administration, Public Relations, English or a closely-related field
-AND
- Four years of experience at the level of Los Angeles County’s class of Public Information Specialist
** initiating, planning, developing, maintaining, evaluating, implementing, and coordinating a public information program or professional experience as a journalist or publicist within a media organization, public relations firm, nonprofit organization, or other company. One additional year of the required experience will be accepted for each year of college.

You MUST meet the above requirement(s) in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment.

Candidates must be willing and able to occasionally work outside of normal business hours, including evenings or weekends, when needed for media events, public events, emergencies, crisis communications, or other Department needs. Candidates must also be willing to organize and/or attend off-site meetings, community events, press events, and other activities as needed.

• To receive credit for your education, include a copy of your official diploma, official transcript, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution within seven (7) calendar days of the end of the filing period. Please submit documentation to…