The Position
Community Engagement Specialist
(Community Information Specialist)
This classification title may be subject to change.
Do you have a knack for creating content in all forms of media for various platforms? Are you passionate about public relations and marketing? Do you have a desire to brand and build the Ontario Fire Department's presence in an influential way that impacts the community we serve? If so, we may have the perfect career opportunity for you!
The City of Ontario is seeking a marketing expert to join the Ontario Fire Department Team as a Community Engagement Specialist. This position will assist with the City's comprehensive and multifaceted community relations and public information program. This position requires exceptional judgment, adaptability, and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure while serving as a trusted representative of the Fire Department. The successful candidate will be a motivated self-starter with strong written communication skills and experience supporting public-facing initiatives, including the City’s marketing efforts, community engagement activities, social media, and event management programs. Additionally successful candidates will embody the values of the City's Approach to Public Service and exhibit the qualities of a "Five Tool Player"– Leader, Thinker, Communicator, Operator and Public Servant - and the City's Customer Service Philosophy–Empathy, Respect, and Problem Solving.
The
Ideal candidate and
Best Fit for this position will possess:
- Marketing, Digital Engagement, and Strategic Thinking: Demonstrated experience in marketing, branding, and social media strategy, with the ability to develop, manage, and evaluate engaging content and outreach initiatives—including event promotion—that strengthen community awareness and support broader organizational and departmental goals. Skilled in leveraging digital channels, performance analytics, and modern communication technologies to enhance public outreach and foster meaningful community engagement.
- Communication and Stakeholder Engagement: Excellent written and verbal communication and comprehension skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex and sometimes sensitive information in a high-stress environment to diverse stakeholders, including municipal staff, elected officials, and the public.
- Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and innovative thinking skills, with the ability to assess, research, and analyze information—even when incomplete—identify issues, and develop effective, policy-aligned solutions. Demonstrated capacity to provide insights, exercise sound judgment, and support informed decision-making.
The Following Procedures Will Apply
Completed applications will be reviewed and only qualified applicants whose qualifications best meet or exceed the requirements of the position and needs of the City, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.
- The Eligibility List will consist of both internal and external applicants who meet the qualifications and successfully complete any required selection processes.
- The hiring department has the discretion to consider internal applicants on the Eligibility list prior to considering all applicants on the Eligibility list.
- The City reserves the right to limit the number of external applications accepted to the first one hundred (100) applications.
- Qualified candidates whose qualifications best meet or exceed the requirements of the position and needs of the City will be asked to participate in an Examination process that may include a combination of an in-person Panel Oral Interview, in-person Practical Exam, Training and Experience evaluation, and/or in-person Written Exam.
The Ontario Fire Department
The Ontario Fire Department is a team committed to professional and compassionate public service. The Department responds to more than 23,000 calls per year serving and protecting a population well over 180,000 residents, covering nearly 50 square miles. There are eleven (11) fire stations that house ten (10) engine companies and four (4) truck companies. The City of Ontario is in the process of developing 13 square miles in the Ontario Ranch area where the Fire Department will soon begin construction of Fire Station Nine.
Ontario is a full-service department providing fire/rescue services; medical services through the department's paramedic program; safety education; fire inspections; plan review; and various specialty teams such as SWAT medics, bomb squad, hazmat, and urban search and rescue.
The Ontario Fire Department is proud to serve the residents, businesses, and visitors of the City of Ontario with a high degree of professionalism. The members of the Ontario Fire Department realize the value of each team member and constantly strive to improve service to the community by living up to the motto:
Integrity – Accountability – Service – Respect – Honor.
The Fire Prevention Bureau is committed to Community Risk Reduction and is operated in a business-like manner, providing responsive customer-friendly service. The Bureau utilizes various databases in conjunction with other City departments to identify the most hazardous occupancies in the City. Periodic inspections are then conducted to ensure code compliance. The Bureau of Fire Prevention is responsible for developing and implementing programs and policies that prevent or reduce the magnitude of emergency occurrences, such as loss of life and property, or environmental damage.
The City of Ontario is a dynamic leading community in the Inland Empire with a variety of full-time and part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. Ontario enjoys the reputation of being a progressive City which provides solid leadership to its citizens and to the business community. The City provides a full range of services to the community including; Police, Fire, Management Services, Community Life & Culture, Community Development, Economic Development, Financial Services, Human Resources/Risk Management, Public Works, and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company. The City's team is staffed with approximately 1,517 full-time equivalent diverse and talented employees who work to support a common goal of providing excellent service to the community.
We invite you to learn more about the City of Ontario by reviewing the City's website including the City’s State of the City Address to learn more about the exciting opportunities this position will play in the vital growth of the City in becoming the Premier Community of the Inland Empire!
State of the City The Ontario Plan
Smart Ontario Downtown Ontario
Examples Of Essential Functions
The essential functions typically performed by the
Community Engagement Specialist include the following:
- Assists in developing, implementing, coordinating, and maintaining community outreach programs and activities.
- Serves as a liaison between the City, residents, business owners, community groups, neighborhood associations, local non-profits, and other governmental agencies to address community concerns, issues and priorities; coordinates efforts to maintain cooperative and efficient relations; performs and coordinates conflict resolution.
- Provides information about services and programs offered by the City.
- Prepares strategies to disseminate information and elicit feedback from the community.
- Coordinates and attends community outreach events and meetings to represent the City; may serve as Master of Ceremonies at public events.
- Develops marketing materials for community outreach and public education events including social media campaigns, newsletters, press releases, brochures, flyers and other related items.
- Assists with drafting correspondence, memoranda or reports for routine to complex matters related to neighborhood or community concerns, pending issues before the City Council, state or federal legislation, or other related matters.
- Assess community needs and trends; performs research and analysis and prepares reports and recommendations on various community relations matters.
- Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints.
- Performs related duties as required.
Qualification Guidelines
Education
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, public administration or a closely related field. Additional years of applicable experience may be substituted for educational requirements.
NOTE: Proof of successful completion of a
bachelor’s degree must be provided by way of attachment to your online application or as an email attachment sent to the Hiring Agency Representative at, or before, time of the reference check process. Acceptable forms of proof include Unofficial Transcripts, Official Transcripts, Photos and/or Photocopies of Institutional Degree/Certifications. Failure to provide the required documentation at, or before, time of the reference check process will result in disqualification.
Experience
One (1) year of experience involving the coordination of public affairs, public information, community relations or outreach activities.
Licenses
A valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record at the time of appointment and throughout employment.
Desirables
- Bilingual/Spanish is highly desired.
- Experience in content creating; Adobe Illustrator, Indesign, Lighthouse and Photoshop.
- Experience in social editing applications, social listening tools and/or how to report analytics.
- Proficient in branding/marketing, strong writing skills, ability to research topics and skillful in proofreading writing content.
Supplemental Information
How To Apply
Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" link at the top of this announcement. If this is the first time applying for a position using governmentjobs.com you will be prompted to create a new user account, otherwise log in with your user name and password. Your application and responses to any supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. It is suggested that your application include the following:
- List any relevant experience and education that demonstrates that you qualify for the position.
- List all periods of employment for at least the past 10 years, beginning with your most recent or present employer (including, if applicable, all employment with the City of Ontario).
- Separately list each position held, including different positions with the same employer.
A resume may be attached to your application but will not substitute for the proper completion of your application. Applications that are not properly completed may be rejected.
NOTE: Transcripts from colleges, universities or technical schools outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report will result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.
Application Process
Applicants are required to submit required certification(s) or other required documentation as outlined in the Qualifications Guideline section of this bulletin. Please use the attachment function found on the City's online application to attach copies of the requested certification(s) or other documentation. Failure to attach required certifications may result in the rejection of your application. Please contact the Human Resources Department if you have any questions regarding the application process.
Your application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications. It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. List all periods of employment, beginning with your most recent or present employer (including, if applicable, all employment with the City of Ontario). List any experience that may help you to qualify for the position. List separately each position held, including different positions with the same employer. Resumes may be included but will not substitute for the employment history section. Failure to complete these sections may result in the rejection of your application.
Supplemental Question
To complete your application for this position you will be prompted to respond to supplemental questions. This information will be used as part of the application screening and selection process and is designed to help you present your qualifications for this position. This may include a selection step in which your application and supplemental questions are reviewed and scored by a panel of raters familiar with this position.
Incomplete responses, false statements, omission, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Your responses should be consistent with the information provided on your application.
Please provide succinct, concise, descriptive, and detailed information for each question. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.
Email Notices
Email is the primary way that the Human Resources or Hiring Department will communicate with you. Please check your email account (including the SPAM folder) on a regular basis for any emails related to the application or selection process. Emails from the City of Ontario will come from "@ontarioca.gov" or "governmentjobs.com." If you change your email address after submitting your application please visit governmentjobs.com and update your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any additional questions regarding the application process, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page.
The City of Ontario values the health and wellness of our employees and their families. We understand benefits are an important part of your total compensation and we take pride in offering a comprehensive benefit package. Please check out our excellent benefit packages here.
Employees in this classification are under the Confidential Employees Compensation and Benefits Profile. For a list of benefits for Confidential employees please click here 2025 CON, SCON, and MCON Benefit Summary.
01
INSTRUCTIONS: The information on your application and the following supplemental questionnaire will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility and to further identify those applicants who are best qualified to continue in the selection process for this position. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, partial information or AI-generated responses may result in disqualification from the selection process. Resumes may be attached, but they will not be accepted in lieu of completing the job experience section of the application or the supplemental questions. Responses to the supplemental questions that indicate "see resume" are considered incomplete. By checking the 'Yes' response below, I indicate that I have read the job bulletin and these instructions for completing the supplemental questionnaire. Additionally, I certify that my application and supplemental answers accurately reflect my training, education and experience; and I understand that my responses are subject to verification.
- I understand the above statement.
02
Which of the following best describes your highest related level of education completed from an accredited college or university?
Note: Failure to include your education information in the Education section of your application may result in disqualification of your application.
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Some College Coursework, No Degree
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree
- Doctorate Degree
- None of the Above
03
All appointments to this position are required to provide proof of completion of the listed education requirements. Acceptable forms of proof include Unofficial Transcripts, Official Transcripts, Photos and/or Photocopies of Institutional Degrees/Certifications. This must be provided by way of attachment to your online application or as an email attachment sent to the Hiring Agency Representative conducting the reference check. Failure to provide the required documentation at, or before, time of the reference check process will result in disqualification If you require clarification on this requirement, please call the City of Ontario Recruitment Team at (909) 395-2035. Please indicate that you have read the statement above by selecting "Yes."
04
Do you currently possess a California Class C Driver's License and an acceptable driving record?
05
Please indicate your
FULL years of experience involving the coordination of public affairs, public information, community relations or outreach activities.
- Less than one (1) year
- One (1) year or more but less than three (3) years
- Three (3) years or more but less than five (5) years
- Five (5) years or more but less than eight (8) years
- Eight (8) years or more
- No experience
06
Please select your level of responsibility assigned involving community and/or specialized scheduled events.
- Lead
- Assistant
- Coordinator
- Volunteer
- Other
07
Which of the following programs do you have experience using? Please select all that apply.
- Adobe Illustrator
- Indesign
- Lightroom
- Photoshop
08
Please describe your experience creating content, including examples of how you have supported community and/or specialized events. Please indicate the approximate number of events you have supported. If no experience, write N/A.
09
Please identify the social media platforms, content creation or editing applications, and scheduling tools you currently use or have used to support marketing, community engagement, or event promotion. If no experience, write N/A.
10
Please describe any social listening, analytics, or reporting tools you currently utilize or have experience using, including applications used to measure marketing or community engagement performance. If no experience, write N/A.
11
Are you bilingual in Spanish?
