Overview
The Public Communications Specialist will serve as a proactive collaborative team player to work on VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Phase II Project, an exciting transformative infrastructure project connecting Santa Clara County to the regional BART system.
The candidate will be a member of the BSVII External Affairs team, engaging with the community.
The ideal candidate will possess a unique blend of communication skills, strategic thinking, and community engagement experience.
The candidate should have a proven track record in crafting compelling written content, managing communication projects across various channels, and fostering partnerships with external stakeholders.
The BSVII Project is anticipated to start revenue service in 2037.
BART Division VTA’s BART Silicon Valley involves a program of transportation improvements in the corridor that generally extends from the southern boundary of Alameda County in the City of Fremont through the cities of Milpitas, San Jose, and Santa Clara in Santa Clara County.
These improvements include a planned 16-mile, six-station extension of the existing San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) system into Silicon Valley.
VTA’s BART Silicon Valley program also includes other related projects and activities that were required to prepare the rail corridor for BART, such as relocation of existing UPRR tracks and utilities, drainage improvements, and grade separation projects within the alignment that were funded through other sources.
VTA’s BART Silicon Valley is being managed by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) in cooperation with BART.
VTA’s BART Silicon Valley is being constructed in phases.
Phase I (Berryessa Extension) is the first 10 miles which includes two stations and opened in 2020.
The Phase II Extension Project will include a 5-mile-long subway tunnel through downtown San Jose and will extend the BART system from the Phase I terminus for approximately six miles to the City of Santa Clara.
Four stations are proposed for Phase II: 28th Street/Little Portugal, Downtown San Jose, Diridon, and Santa Clara.
What You Will Be Doing
Under supervision, the Public Communication Specialist I performs or assists in the performance of a variety of activities in support of VTA’s public and news media relations, community outreach, employee communications, and marketing/promotional efforts, including writing and editing material for publication, conceptualizing and developing programs, and preparing and making presentations.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is the first working level of the Public Communication Specialist series.
Incumbents in this classification work under supervision and perform continuing projects of a routine and limited scope, with a limited amount of discretion.
Incumbents may receive general supervision on routine assignments or may assist on more complex assignments under closer supervision.
The Public Communication Specialist I is distinguished from the Public Communication Specialist II in that the latter works independently in the performance of the full range of duties, and may lead and train staff as required.
About VTA
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley.
Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County’s authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning.
With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region.
VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.
As the county’s congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit oriented development.
VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale.
VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.
As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.
For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: VTAForward
Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)
The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.
Typical Tasks
- Assists in the concept, development, coordination, conduct, and evaluation of marketing, outreach, public awareness, public and news media relations, and other promotional efforts;
- Develops, writes, and edits written materials for advertisements, news releases, brochures, pamphlets, promotional events, campaigns, VTA internal communications, and other public information projects;
- Assists with the development of professional partnerships with public and private sector organizations;
- Responds to daily information requests from the public, in person, via telephone and Internet, and in writing;
- Prepares and presents, or assists in the preparation and presentation of information regarding VTA projects to the public and VTA employees;
- Plans and coordinates, or assists in the planning and coordination of events and promotions for VTA employees and for the public; may provide event photography;
- Interviews VTA officials, VTA employees, representatives from various groups and organizations, and the public to secure and verify information;
- Coordinates internal and external project activities, including public meetings;
- Assists in scheduling, negotiating cost, and purchasing media space and time;
- Prepares reports requiring the collection and analysis of data from a variety of sources;
- May assist with developing and maintaining website content;
- May participate in meetings and promotions on weekends and evenings;
- Performs related work as required.
Employment Standards Sufficient training, education, and experience to demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Development of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is typically obtained through training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in marketing, journalism, communications, or a related field.
Experience in journalism, advertising, marketing, or public relations (including making public presentations; writing news releases, employee communications or similar materials; or responding to citizen complaints and concerns) may be substituted for the education requirement on a year for year basis.
Possession of a California driver’s license is required at the time of appointment.
Knowledge Of
- Principles, techniques, and methods of effective public communications, public relations, news media communications, and community outreach;
- Principles and techniques of preparing advertising writing copy, layout, and production;
- Customs and practices of various public information media;
- Techniques of interviewing;
- Standard English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Ability To
- Compile and analyze data from a variety of sources to draft news releases;
- Communicate ideas and concepts through creative writing and through presentations to large and small groups;
- Draft, edit, and proofread written materials for publication;
- Conceptualize print and broadcast advertising;
- Plan and organize outreach and promotional activities;
- Complete multiple assignments efficiently and meet established deadlines in a fast paced team environment;
- Understand and effectively communicate technical data to the media and the public;
- Assist in the development and implementation of responses to community concerns related to VTA projects;
- Operate a personal computer with common software applications (i.e., word processing, spreadsheet, database, etc.); learn specialty software of the work unit;
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
General Application Instructions Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying.
We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.
To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline.
If the job posting is listed as “continuous,” we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without prior notice.
Once your application is submitted, you will receive an immediate email confirmation.
Important: Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment.
We do not accept paper applications, resumes, Job Interest Notification Cards, or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.
Communication & Contact Information
All updates regarding your application—including notices for testing and interviews—will be sent via email.
Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid, up-to-date email address.
Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual updates.
Please check your application status through your online account.
For technical support, contact NEOGOV at (855) 524-5627, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM — 5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays.
Application Review & Processing
All current and prior relevant work experience—including experience with VTA—must be fully detailed in the Work Experience section of your application.
Entries such as “see resume” are not acceptable.
Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected, even if you meet the minimum qualifications.
While you are welcome to upload a resume, it does not substitute for completing the online application in full.
Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.
Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications.
Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration.
Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications, experience, education, or training may result in disqualification and/or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA.
This classification is represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU).Wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between VTA and the union.
Tentative Oral Panels Oral Panel: Thursday, October 30, 2025
Conditions of Employment
Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check, reference checks, verification of education or certifications, and a criminal history review before appointment.
Eligibility List
The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur.
Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months.
However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period.
Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years.
Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment.
Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations
VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process.
To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or email Personnel@vta.org at least five business days before the test.
Equal Employment Opportunity
VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer.
VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.
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