Public Information Officer 4

Arizona Department of Administration • Apache Junction, AZ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) works to protect the health and safety of consumers while advancing the state's agricultural industry and safeguarding commerce. Its core functions include protecting plants and animals, issuing environmental licenses, and overseeing commerce standards and measurement devices. AZDA is looking for individuals who are committed to serving and supporting farming, ranching, and agribusiness in Arizona. The Arizona Department of Agriculture is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as the Department’s Public Information Officer. Under the general direction of the Agency Director and working in partnership with agency leadership, this position is responsible for public relations and the writing, editing, and overseeing the production of effective communication materials. This includes writing, editing, and producing reports, fact sheets, brochures, and other written communication materials such as news releases, publications, internal and external newsletters, reports, social media, and overseeing the development of marketing materials supporting the agency brand. The PIO will serve as the agency's spokesperson and be responsible for effective communication and working relationships with news media, social media, other external audiences, and nongovernmental organizations. This position develops and implements effective communication strategies and actions plans, provides counsel to executive leaders and staff and coordinates with the Rules and Policy Administrator to assure timely response to public information requests. This position may be required to work outside of regular business hours, including weekends and holidays. Travel will be required to attend meetings, events, and project work.

Requirements

• Principles and practices of journalism, public relations, social media, and mass communication as applied to public information.
• Agribusiness and agricultural practices and products.
• Benefits, issues, concerns, challenges, and opportunities of Agriculture in AZ and the US, including dairy, livestock, poultry, produce, organic operations, etc.
• General business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership technique, production methods and coordination of people and resources.
• Computer based software and applications including but not limited to MS Office, Adobe and Google Suites, etc.
• Exceptional, professional verbal and written communication, including public speaking and electronic communication.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to network, establish and maintain professional working relationships with individuals within and outside the agency.
• Planning and project/program management; developing and implementing marketing and promotional programs.
• The preparation and production of written and visual materials, and presenting to large and small groups.
• Organizing and prioritizing work, researching, collecting and compiling data.
• Using judgment when dealing with sensitive issues, maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Understand agency policies and procedures. Become familiar with the issues being addressed by the agency.
• Maintain working relationships with the media, the public, and external stakeholders and exercise sound judgment with these interactions.
• Respond in a timely manner to the public, coworkers, internal and external partners, including the Governor's Office staff.
• Modify technical and scientific verbiage into understandable language as part of internal and external communications, i.e., media releases, website content, social media content etc.
• Produce ideas and content for media and social media campaigns along with implementation of those ideas.
• Work in a fast-paced environment with changing goals and priorities to meet agency metrics and other support analytics.
• In-state travel is required. Driver’s License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).
• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Public Relations, Government Relations, Journalism, or other closely related field.
• Experience in public speaking, social media management for business highly preferred.
• Experience in local, State, or Federal governmental processes and procedures related to production of public information and/ or experience in Governmental/Public interactions preferred.

Responsibilities

• Arranging media appearances for the Director and other agency staff when not personally appearing as spokesperson for the agency. Delivering speeches to interested groups, and appearing on radio and television programs.
• Recruiting and arranging public appearances for experts in the agency’s field of activity. Arranging tours for visitors.
• Supervise/advise staff and direct an extensive information and education program, including commitments to television, radio, and newspapers.
• Design, write, review and edit materials such as news releases, newsletters, reports, fact sheets, brochures, manuals, for diverse audiences, both internal and external. Create social media content to support the agency's social media channels. In addition, produces website content to engage the public with timely and newsworthy information.
• Advise agency executives and staff on effective strategies for communicating with news media to include counseling and direction regarding crisis media relations. This includes supporting AZDA’s Lead on Emergency Support Function 11 (ESF11) regarding Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station emergency exercises as a Joint Information Center (JIC) lead, and the communication lead on any and all federally designated animal or plant disease and/or pest detection or declared emergency.
• Track internal analytics for agency metrics and Governor's office successes. Monitor media including traditional media engagement, social media analytics, and other performance metrics. Prepare reports, as needed. Respond to inquiries from the media and general public, including conducting research to provide an appropriate response.
• Act as the agency Ombudsman. Respond to inquiries from the Ombudsman Citizen Aide Office, Legislative Constituent Offices and the Governor's Office of Constituent Services.

Benefits

• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior