207 - Communications - Director of Constituent Services

Canyon County•Caldwell, ID

About The Position

The Director of Constituent Services develops, conducts, and evaluates public information and public contact programs for Canyon County Elected Officials and Departments as necessary or assigned. The work requires providing direction to county officials involving public information, internal information, and community relations activities; publicizes county progress and accomplishments, community communications, open government, points of view, and programs; may develop and distribute the county communications and electronic media; and performs related duties as required.

Requirements

Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and standards for the management, storage and disclosure of confidential and public information and current principles, techniques, methods, and objectives of public information management.
Roles of local governments; the goals and objectives of news media organizations; and the strategies used in advertising, marketing, and promotional activities.
Exercise good judgment regarding effective methods for communicating policies, practices, achievements, philosophies, political positions, and events to the media, the public, and employees.
Write a variety of articles, news releases, fact sheets, and speeches.
Facilitate multimedia presentations for diverse internal and external groups
Develop appropriate recommendations, and work independently.
Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.
Respects the opinion of others and demonstrates tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment to establish a reasonable relationship with employees, supervisors and others.
Is punctual and timely in meeting requirements of performance, including attendance standards and work deadlines.
Professional attire standard to represent Elected Officials in public settings or in the office
Must be available evenings and weekends
Idaho driver’s license
Must successfully complete a background investigation
Bachelor’s degree in public information, Journalism, Communication, or a related field
Or a minimum of five years of experience in public relations or related field is required
Clear speech with or without accommodation, to effectively convey detailed or important instructions or ideas accurately, loudly and/or quickly
Sufficient clarity of hearing with or without reasonable accommodation to enable the employee to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information
Visual acuity, with or without an accommodation, to read instructions, review and organize documents
Requires sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, which permits the employee to function in a general office environment to accomplish tasks.
Ability to lift 20 lbs.

Responsibilities

Works closely with the Board of County Commissioners on policy, guidelines, procedures, or needs specific to the county or the Constituent Services Department.
Manages and coordinates public and media relations’ activities on behalf of the Elected Officials and Department Administrators as assigned.
Conceptualizes, creates and assist with the production of brochures, flyers, slide shows, videos, displays, graphics, multimedia presentations, social media posts and other informational material as assigned.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with media outlets and representatives.
Develop, organize, and use public contacts and publicity and promotional strategies to promote community awareness and support.
Responds to community information requests and distributes information, photographs, and press releases to media representatives and the public.
As spokesperson to the media, schedules, facilitates and plans news conferences, editorial board meetings and interviews with organizations on behalf of the Elected Officials and departments.
Handles many citizen complaints without assistance by gathering information and responding to the citizen or directing the complaint to the proper party for response.
Handles emergency communication involving crisis or unforeseen circumstances requiring research, writing, editing and speaking.
Responsible for department’s annual budget
Supervision of assigned staff
Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
Works in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Public Information Officer.
Performs all work duties and activities following county policies, procedures and safety practices
Performs other duties as required.