Media Relations Manager

The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) protects consumers and oversees financial service providers and products. The DFPI supervises state-licensed financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and money transmitters, and licenses and regulates financial service providers such as securities brokers, investment advisers, payday lenders, and other consumer finance lenders. The DFPI offers benefit packages, competitive salary, a robust training program, and opportunities for advancement.

About the role

This is a full-time, permanent Public Information Officer II position within the Office of Public Affairs, located in the Sacramento office. Under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Public Affairs (OPA), the incumbent will act as a lead information officer, developing and implementing media relations strategies and materials to educate California journalists, residents, industry stakeholders, and interest groups about DFPI.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive media relations program.
• Create engaging public messaging by translating technical language for external audiences.
• Serve as a subject matter expert to the media and external stakeholders.
• Work closely with DFPI’s Executive leadership, state and federal agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Support internal communications efforts.
• Manage media relations and social media outreach to ensure continuity, transparency, and effective representation of DFPI.

Qualifications

Either I

• Two years of experience in the California state service performing duties equivalent to those of an Information Officer I.

Or II

• Broad and successful experience demonstrating the ability to plan and direct a comprehensive public information program, including at least five years of professional experience in preparing and disseminating information, with a substantial portion involving supervising the writing of others.
• Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional qualifying experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.)

Pay

$7,498.00 - $9,317.00 per month. New state employees will be hired at the minimum salary of the classification or the minimum of the alternate range, if applicable.

Effective July 1, 2025, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) directs a 3% reduction in pay for SEIU bargaining units (1, 3, 4, 11, 14, 15, 17, 20, 21) in exchange for 5 hours of PLP 2025 leave credits per month. The salary range does not reflect this reduction.

Schedule

• Permanent, full-time position.
• Work location: Sacramento County (in-office).