Public Information Officer 1

State of Nevada•Reno, NV

About The Position

The Public Information Officer 1 (PIO), within the Nevada Medicaid Division of the Nevada Health Authority (NVHA), supports Nevada Medicaid and the PIO 2 by managing critical divisional communications, public transparency requirements, and information coordination across programs, partners, and the public. This position ensures accurate, accessible communication while upholding Nevada Medicaid’s standards for public engagement, language access, and digital content management. The PIO 1 manages public records requests, maintains division-wide reporting logs, supports external communications, and serves as the Medicaid web editor responsible for timely and accurate content updates. They oversee ListServ notices, coordinate content with program staff, support branding and newsletter efforts, and collaborate with partners to maintain strong communication workflows. The role also leads updates to the Medicaid app, manages the Language Access Plan, and provides essential cross-agency coordination to ensure clear, compliant, and reliable information for members, providers, and the public. Using modern communications equipment and social media, Public Information Officers manage the public relations and public information program for an agency on a statewide basis; write media releases, newsletters and informational brochures; produce multi-media presentations and take photographs; design, organize and maintain web platforms.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in journalism, English, public or community relations, communications or closely related field and two years of professional experience in public relations or public information including writing media releases and newsletters, preparing speeches and multimedia presentations; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.
Detailed knowledge of desktop publishing software.
Detailed knowledge of journalistic writing and reporting.
Working knowledge of techniques for publicizing material through television, print, radio and other outlets.
Working knowledge of purpose and use of modern communications equipment.
Working knowledge of layout/design principles including cropping photos.
Working knowledge of photographic techniques and equipment.
Working knowledge of printing, graphics production processes, and copy writing.
Working knowledge of web design.
Ability to respond appropriately to inquiries.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with key media representatives, story sources, and co-workers.
Ability to write speeches and narration in a manner that facilitates reading aloud.
Ability to edit and proofread for accuracy and readability, cutting material/stories where needed.
Ability to work independently and follow through on assignments with minimal direction.
Ability to present difficult subjects so they can be understood by lay people.
Ability to conceptualize publication needs and plan for articles and photo shoots.
Ability to take quality photos.
Ability to research information through records and people.
Ability to interview and create rapport with interview subjects.
Ability to interact diplomatically with the public in a high volume, continuous contact setting.

Responsibilities

Manages public records requests.
Maintains division-wide reporting logs.
Supports external communications.
Serves as the Medicaid web editor responsible for timely and accurate content updates.
Oversees ListServ notices.
Coordinates content with program staff.
Supports branding and newsletter efforts.
Collaborates with partners to maintain strong communication workflows.
Leads updates to the Medicaid app.
Manages the Language Access Plan.
Provides essential cross-agency coordination to ensure clear, compliant, and reliable information for members, providers, and the public.
Writes news releases, creates informational brochures, coordinates and scripts public service announcements, and researches and authors articles for publication and/or to inform the public of activities or items of interest.
Organizes, drafts and edits material for printing or publication and distribution.
Evaluates advertising and promotional materials for compatibility with public relations efforts.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with State and local government officials and media representatives.
Responds to queries and directs questions to appropriate staff.
Arranges press conferences and notifies media representatives of newsworthy events.
Develops internal and community relations publicity campaigns designed to build agency morale, community support, and a positive agency image and identity.
Prepares agency newsletters or brochures.
Drafts and edits articles.
Layouts and designs materials for printing.
Drafts speeches for special audiences and attends meetings.
Collects articles, recordings of radio and television newscasts, and other informational releases pertaining to the agency.
Maintains informational files of background information.
Files information in order to monitor and maintain records of press coverage.
Determines the need for photos or receives photo requests.
Arranges for appointments or photo shoots.
Selects site and equipment.
Determines aesthetics and lighting.
Selects poses or angles.
Prints quality photos and/or prepares for publication.
Writes scripts.
Determines sequence for slide presentations.
Creates multimedia presentations.
Plans, organizes, coordinates and publicizes special events to provide information regarding agency services and activities.
Develops and maintains the public communications portion of the departmental crisis disaster response plan.
Serves as the agency spokesperson during crisis or emergency situations.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Manages and implements a public relations and public information program.
Writes media releases, newsletters and brochures, and creates multimedia presentations as described in the series concept.