Communications and Public Information Officer

Butte County•Oroville, CA

11h•Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as the Communications and Public Information Officer (PIO) for Butte County, responsible for developing and implementing countywide strategic communications. The PIO disseminates accurate and timely information to the public about county programs, policies, and events, through press releases, statements, social media, and other channels. The position advises County leadership on media relations and facilitates effective and factual media coverage. This single-position classification is responsible for providing strategic leadership over the County’s public information and communication function. The incumbent must be sensitive to the impact of County programs on the community and be able to work independently and creatively to communicate program goals, strategic direction, and operational issues in an effective and tactful manner. The role carries broad authority for developing, coordinating, and managing a comprehensive countywide communications and community engagement program. The position is responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and managing a countywide strategy for public information, media relations, internal and external communications, and community relations programs, with the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines. The incumbent is responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include comprehensive knowledge of public information and community relations programs. The incumbent serves as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies.

Requirements

Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes and ordinances, and County policies and procedures relevant to public information and community relations programs.
Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures related to public agency public information function.
Knowledge of practices of researching issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing effective reports and related materials.
Knowledge of methods and techniques of preparing reports and general business correspondence.
Knowledge of crisis and emergency communications techniques.
Knowledge of methods and techniques used in evaluating public attitude regarding countywide operations and issues and the determination of public affairs needs.
Knowledge of principles, practices, methods, and techniques of strategic communication, public information, media relations, graphic design, and community relations programs.
Knowledge of principles, techniques, and practices of journalism including expository writing and editing.
Knowledge of methods to prepare, design, layout, produce, and disseminate educational, informational, and promotional materials.
Knowledge of best practices for social media and digital content.
Knowledge of techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Knowledge of modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
Ability to understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Ability to effectively represent the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
Ability to independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
Ability to organize and maintain accurate recordkeeping systems.
Ability to use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Ability to plan, develop, and implement public information, media relations, and community relations programs.
Ability to assist in developing and implementing countywide policies, guidelines, and procedures for communications and dissemination of public information.
Ability to assess political environment and develop appropriate communication strategies.
Ability to write and edit presentations, speeches, scripts, news releases, public relations articles, factsheets, brochures, bulletins, graphic materials, and educational materials.
Ability to oversee and implement the County’s social media program and policies.
Ability to provide creative direction for visual communications including design, layout, and content.
Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
Ability to effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Must possess a valid US driver’s license upon date of application.
Must obtain California driver’s license following hire date per California DMV regulations.

Nice To Haves

At least one (1) year of experience within a public agency preferred.

Responsibilities

Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of the highly visible countywide communications and public information program to support organizational priorities and engage internal and external audiences.
Serves as the County’s advisor on media relations, public messaging and communication strategy, and coaches County leaders and departments on media protocols and response practices.
Prepares and directs the creation and dissemination of written, digital, and multimedia materials including newsletter, reports, press releases, speeches, presentations, and major publications.
Provides creative direction for visual communications, including design, layout, and content.
Acts as the County’s primary spokesperson and represents the organization with the media, community groups, partner agencies, and the public to seek support for public programs, suggest new editorial ideas, encourage coverage of County issues, direct reporters to stories and cultivate future stories.
Acts as the County’s lead public information officer during emergencies and disasters, including wildfires; coordinates with emergency management personnel to ensure accurate and timely public messaging.
Provides technical guidance and consultation to management and staff on cross-departmental and departmental communications, projects, and programs; provides training on media-related processes and procedures.
Advises Board of Supervisors members, Chief Administrative Officer, department heads, management, and staff on media relations; provides guidance on preparing, presenting, and distributing informational materials and communications; and prepares materials and scripts for use.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the news media, community groups, elected officials, and other governmental agencies and/or stakeholders to meet communication and outreach needs; provides information on County services, events, and newsworthy incidents.
Manages public outreach efforts; plans, arranges, and coordinates briefings, workshops, and information sessions.
Oversees and implements the County’s social media program and policies; maintains countywide social media platforms and presence; creates digital content by applying graphic design principles and using video editing applications.
Serves as public information officer in emergency operations center during disasters and emergencies.
Researches, compiles, and summarizes data from various sources; writes and edits presentations, speeches, scripts, news releases, public relations articles, factsheets, brochures, bulletins, graphic materials, reports, and educational materials.
Organizes and maintains accurate and detailed databases, electronic and physical files, and records; verifies accuracy of information, researches discrepancies, and records information; ensures compliance with established records retention schedules including archiving, scanning, and destructing files.
Receives, processes, and responds to public records requests, complaints, and other requests for information; researches and organizes information; coordinates resolution to problems and issues.
Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications to remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in the field of public information and community relations.
Performs related duties as assigned.