OPT Public Relations Specialist Jobs
Public Relations Specialist roles are widely available to F-1 OPT students with a degree in communications, PR, journalism, or a related field. Most positions qualify as specialty occupations, supporting both standard 12-month OPT and the 24-month STEM extension for qualifying programs. Agency and in-house roles are common entry points.
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THIS IS A CITYWIDE RECRUITMENT FOR CURRENT CITY EMPLOYEES ONLY. This is an Exempt to Permanent position in accordance with Class-Based Test (CBT) Civil Service Rules. This recruitment is restricted to current category 16, 17, and 18 exempt employees of the City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco Unified School District, or San Francisco City College, working within the 1310 Public Relations Assistant classification. This is a Citywide Exam posting. Your application to this posting is an application to take a citywide exam. If you pass the exam, you will be emailed your score and ranking on the eligible candidate list. When a department has an open position with this job classification they will use this eligible list to hire for that position. Departments will contact candidates from this list to gauge interest in their specific roles. Learn more about the City’s hiring process here: https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/
Application Opening: Monday, November 2, 2026
Deadline to Apply: Apply Immediately. Application filing will be open at least through Monday, November 9, 2026 and will close any time thereafter.
Compensation Range: $75,426 to $91,598 annually (For more information, click here)
San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.
Job Description
Under general supervision, the Public Relations Assistant prepares and distributes public information materials through press releases, memoranda, speeches, schedules, surveys, and reports for a City department; assembles material for files; assists in the preparation of public information and publicity reports.
Examples of Important and Essential Duties
According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.
- Creates drafts of public relations materials or publicity releases; prepares and distributes public relations materials as directed for the coordination of public information and other related program activity.
- Prepares and maintains accurate and up-to-date departmental publicity mailing lists; mails pamphlets, booklets and other material to interested parties.
- Compiles, gathers and proofreads data used in the preparation of annual reports, pamphlets and other reports related to departmental public relations and community activities.
- Gathers, categorizes and organizes media advisories; maintains files of newspaper, radio, television and internet research of interest to the public relations department.
- Assists with advertising strategies and arranges for and takes part in special events such as workshops, retirement ceremonies, contests, conferences, etc.
- Makes regular contacts with the public, other departments, and outside organizations to arrange/conduct department tours, and to furnish and obtain a large variety of public information.
- Answers telephones and e-mails; responds to the public and refers questions or problems regarding media advisories or publicity releases to departments or agencies.
- Maintains computer files, databases and lists of relevant groups (e.g. media) and generates computerized reports.
- Conducts online research regarding department media and publicity activities, as directed.
- Tracks and monitors contract invoices and other section costs.
Nature of Work:
Some positions may be subject to adverse weather conditions, walking long distances, and driving a vehicle to project sites and meetings. May require work on nights, weekends and/or holidays.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.
- City Employment Status: Current Category 16, 17, or 18 Exempt Employee in Class 1310 who has worked at least 2,080 hours in class 1310; AND
- Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
Education Substitution:
Experience in public relations, public affairs, public information, editorial, newspaper, magazine, radio, television, social media, digital engagement, advertising, marketing or similar work directly responsible for the preparation, and/or dissemination of news and information in a variety of formats for internal and external communications may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis. Thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units equal one year.
Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.
Note:
Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
SELECTION PROCEDURES:
- Job Application - Applicants must fully complete the job application for this recruitment on the City and County of San Francisco's website. Information from resumes does not substitute for the information on the job application, the Minimum Qualifications Supplemental Questionnaire, or the Training & Experience Assessment.
- Preliminary Questionnaire - Training & Experience Assessment (Weight – 100%) – Candidates will be required to complete a Preliminary Questionnaire (PQ) and a Training & Experience Assessment (T&E) as part of the application and exam process. The questions on the T&E will be used to determine your score and rank and the eligible list. Qualified applicants will be ranked on the eligible list based on the length of their exempt City service (in Category 16, 17, and/or 18) in the 1310 job class, along with any additional qualifying points (e.g., promotive status), as outlined in Civil Service Commission (CSC) rules. All work history will be verified using official City records, which will serve as the final authority in determining qualifying service.
Eligible List/Score Report:
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission. The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be 6 months, and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.
Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations.
[Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov.] The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4. Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement. Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at https://sf.gov/departments/civil-service-commission.
Additional Information
Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
- Copies of Application Documents
- Conviction History
- Disaster Service Worker
- Diversity/Equal Employment Opportunity
- Employee Benefits Overview
- Information About the Hiring Process
- Reasonable Accommodation
- Right to Work
- Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
Where to Apply
All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal.
- Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process.
- Type "1310" into the "Search by class or keyword" field
- Click the link to open the job ad
- Select the “Apply Now” button and follow instructions on the screen
Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110. Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues. Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notifications@smartrecruiters.com that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records.
Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received. If you have any questions, you may contact Angela Ng at Angela.Ng@sfmta.com.
Recruitment ID: ETP-1310-169008
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
Company Description
THIS IS A CITYWIDE RECRUITMENT FOR CURRENT CITY EMPLOYEES ONLY. This is an Exempt to Permanent position in accordance with Class-Based Test (CBT) Civil Service Rules. This recruitment is restricted to current category 16, 17, and 18 exempt employees of the City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco Unified School District, or San Francisco City College, working within the 1310 Public Relations Assistant classification. This is a Citywide Exam posting. Your application to this posting is an application to take a citywide exam. If you pass the exam, you will be emailed your score and ranking on the eligible candidate list. When a department has an open position with this job classification they will use this eligible list to hire for that position. Departments will contact candidates from this list to gauge interest in their specific roles. Learn more about the City’s hiring process here: https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/
Application Opening: Monday, November 2, 2026
Deadline to Apply: Apply Immediately. Application filing will be open at least through Monday, November 9, 2026 and will close any time thereafter.
Compensation Range: $75,426 to $91,598 annually (For more information, click here)
San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.
Job Description
Under general supervision, the Public Relations Assistant prepares and distributes public information materials through press releases, memoranda, speeches, schedules, surveys, and reports for a City department; assembles material for files; assists in the preparation of public information and publicity reports.
Examples of Important and Essential Duties
According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.
- Creates drafts of public relations materials or publicity releases; prepares and distributes public relations materials as directed for the coordination of public information and other related program activity.
- Prepares and maintains accurate and up-to-date departmental publicity mailing lists; mails pamphlets, booklets and other material to interested parties.
- Compiles, gathers and proofreads data used in the preparation of annual reports, pamphlets and other reports related to departmental public relations and community activities.
- Gathers, categorizes and organizes media advisories; maintains files of newspaper, radio, television and internet research of interest to the public relations department.
- Assists with advertising strategies and arranges for and takes part in special events such as workshops, retirement ceremonies, contests, conferences, etc.
- Makes regular contacts with the public, other departments, and outside organizations to arrange/conduct department tours, and to furnish and obtain a large variety of public information.
- Answers telephones and e-mails; responds to the public and refers questions or problems regarding media advisories or publicity releases to departments or agencies.
- Maintains computer files, databases and lists of relevant groups (e.g. media) and generates computerized reports.
- Conducts online research regarding department media and publicity activities, as directed.
- Tracks and monitors contract invoices and other section costs.
Nature of Work:
Some positions may be subject to adverse weather conditions, walking long distances, and driving a vehicle to project sites and meetings. May require work on nights, weekends and/or holidays.
Qualifications
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.
- City Employment Status: Current Category 16, 17, or 18 Exempt Employee in Class 1310 who has worked at least 2,080 hours in class 1310; AND
- Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
Education Substitution:
Experience in public relations, public affairs, public information, editorial, newspaper, magazine, radio, television, social media, digital engagement, advertising, marketing or similar work directly responsible for the preparation, and/or dissemination of news and information in a variety of formats for internal and external communications may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis. Thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units equal one year.
Verification of Education and Experience:
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications. Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.
Note:
Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
SELECTION PROCEDURES:
- Job Application - Applicants must fully complete the job application for this recruitment on the City and County of San Francisco's website. Information from resumes does not substitute for the information on the job application, the Minimum Qualifications Supplemental Questionnaire, or the Training & Experience Assessment.
- Preliminary Questionnaire - Training & Experience Assessment (Weight – 100%) – Candidates will be required to complete a Preliminary Questionnaire (PQ) and a Training & Experience Assessment (T&E) as part of the application and exam process. The questions on the T&E will be used to determine your score and rank and the eligible list. Qualified applicants will be ranked on the eligible list based on the length of their exempt City service (in Category 16, 17, and/or 18) in the 1310 job class, along with any additional qualifying points (e.g., promotive status), as outlined in Civil Service Commission (CSC) rules. All work history will be verified using official City records, which will serve as the final authority in determining qualifying service.
Eligible List/Score Report:
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission. The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be 6 months, and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.
Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations.
[Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov.] The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4. Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement. Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at https://sf.gov/departments/civil-service-commission.
Additional Information
Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
- Copies of Application Documents
- Conviction History
- Disaster Service Worker
- Diversity/Equal Employment Opportunity
- Employee Benefits Overview
- Information About the Hiring Process
- Reasonable Accommodation
- Right to Work
- Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
Where to Apply
All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal.
- Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process.
- Type "1310" into the "Search by class or keyword" field
- Click the link to open the job ad
- Select the “Apply Now” button and follow instructions on the screen
Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110. Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues. Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notifications@smartrecruiters.com that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records.
Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received. If you have any questions, you may contact Angela Ng at Angela.Ng@sfmta.com.
Recruitment ID: ETP-1310-169008
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
See all 299+ OPT Public Relations Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Public Relations Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Public Relations Specialist
Lead with your degree field
PR Specialist roles require a direct tie between your degree and the position. Communications, journalism, and marketing degrees align cleanly. Highlight your specific major in your resume summary so hiring managers can confirm specialty occupation eligibility without guessing.
Target in-house corporate teams
Large corporations with dedicated communications departments are more likely to sponsor visas than boutique PR agencies. Fortune 500 companies have established HR and immigration infrastructure, making the OPT-to-H-1B visa transition more straightforward than at smaller firms.
Highlight measurable media results
Quantify your PR wins: placements secured, impressions generated, or coverage in named outlets. Concrete outcomes demonstrate professional-level impact and help justify specialty occupation classification, which matters when employers evaluate whether to support future visa sponsorship.
Apply before your OPT clock runs out
Start your job search at least three months before your OPT authorization ends. PR hiring timelines often run four to eight weeks, and you need buffer time to receive an offer, confirm sponsorship willingness, and file any necessary work authorization paperwork.
Ask about sponsorship during the second interview
Raise visa sponsorship after you have established genuine interest from the employer, typically in a second interview or after a strong first round. Frame it as a logistics question, not a request, and confirm whether the company has sponsored PR or communications roles previously.
Build a portfolio of published work
Press releases, media pitches, campaign recaps, and earned media links form a concrete portfolio that PR employers can evaluate quickly. A strong portfolio reduces hiring hesitation and signals the kind of specialized communications skill set that supports specialty occupation arguments.
Public Relations Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Public Relations Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS generally recognizes Public Relations Specialist as a specialty occupation when the employer requires a bachelor's degree or higher in communications, public relations, journalism, or a closely related field. Roles where any degree is accepted regardless of field are less likely to qualify. Review the job description carefully before applying.
Can F-1 OPT students work at PR agencies or only in-house roles?
Both are valid. Agency positions and in-house corporate communications roles are open to F-1 OPT students as long as the work is directly related to your degree. Agency roles often offer faster-paced experience and diverse client exposure, while in-house positions tend to provide more stability and a clearer path to visa sponsorship after OPT ends.
How do I find Public Relations Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and lists Public Relations Specialist roles from employers who are open to candidates on work authorization. Searching general job boards often returns postings that exclude international students without flagging it clearly. Migrate Mate filters for sponsorship-friendly employers, saving you time and reducing the risk of applying to roles that won't work for your visa status.
Do PR roles at nonprofit organizations count toward OPT employment requirements?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations are valid OPT employers as long as the role is directly related to your degree field and meets the minimum hours requirement, which is typically 20 hours per week for OPT to count as active employment. Many nonprofits have active communications teams, and the work often qualifies as a specialty occupation if a relevant degree is required.
What happens to my OPT if my PR employer does layoffs?
If you lose your job, your 60-day unemployment grace period starts immediately. During that window, you can continue job searching and accept a new offer without losing your OPT status. You must report the change to your DSO promptly. Exceeding 90 cumulative days of unemployment during the OPT period, or 60 days for STEM OPT, will terminate your authorization.