Public Information Officer I/II, Grade N21/N25

Montgomery County•101 Monroe St Rockville MD 20850 USA, MD

17h•Onsite

About The Position

The Montgomery County Office of Public Information is seeking a Public Information Officer focused on media relations and internal and external communications about public policy, community, and government issues. The position informs residents, property and business owners, and regional and community-based nonprofit organizations. The work requires excellent communication skills and the ability to perform assignments independently. The Public Information Officer develops and maintains written and digital communications for executive branch departments and the County Executive’s Office, including news releases, media advisories, website content, briefing materials, reports, social media content, and other public information resources. The role interprets public policy issues in accessible written or graphic formats, works with internal and external teams under tight deadlines, and assists with media and community outreach events and special projects. It also contributes to communications strategies, policies, and best practices supporting public information, transparency, and community engagement, and assists with emergency public information during critical incidents as directed. This is an internal-only merit-term position with benefits. The term ends December 31, 2030, and may be extended for an additional four years, through December 31, 2034. The position requires on-site work; offsite work may also be required. Applicants selected for an interview must complete an on-site writing assignment. A pre-employment medical evaluation and successful completion of a probationary period are required. The role may involve evening or weekend work during holidays, emergencies, severe weather, or other crises.

Requirements

For Public Information Officer I: two years of professional experience in journalism, public relations, or a closely related field.
For Public Information Officer II: three years of professional experience in journalism, public relations, or a related field.
For either level: graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to perform assignments independently.
Ability to effectively communicate in writing and orally, including by telephone, in face-to-face meetings, and to groups.
Strong proofreading and editing skills.
Organizational, planning, project management, time-management, and problem-solving skills.
Communication and customer service skills sufficient to deal effectively with the public, vendors, and staff through written and verbal communication.
Ability to adapt to frequent changes in workload.
Successful completion of a pre-employment medical evaluation.
Successful completion of a probationary period.
Applicants selected for an interview must complete an on-site writing assignment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in communications, marketing, or media production, preferably for a government, nonprofit, or equivalent organization, including community and public relations, media relations, and social media.
Professional experience in government communications, particularly at the state or local level.
Experience developing and implementing communications campaigns.
Experience collaborating with elected officials, executive leadership, or public-facing departments to ensure accurate and strategic messaging.
Experience with successful marketing and outreach using newsletters, brochures, and social media to reach diverse populations.
Experience writing social media posts, press releases, scripts, talking points, speeches, copy, and newsletter articles.
Experience measuring communications effectiveness using analytics, performance metrics, or evaluation tools.
Working knowledge and experience with local government operations.
Experience writing materials for a government or political organization.
A proven track record of developing and implementing high-quality, impactful public education campaigns using social media and collateral materials.
Experience drafting press releases, remarks, and other collateral communications materials.

Responsibilities

Develop and draft press releases, media advisories, executive remarks, digital content, and other written materials about public policy, government services, and executive branch departments.
Develop and maintain news releases, media advisories, website content, briefing materials, reports, social media content, and other public information resources for executive branch departments and the County Executive’s Office.
Interpret public policy issues into easily understandable written or graphic formats.
Work with internal and external teams under tight deadlines.
Assist with organizing media and community outreach events.
Assist with special projects assigned by the County Executive’s Office.
Develop and implement communications strategies, policies, and best practices that support public information, transparency, and community engagement initiatives.
Assist in preparing emergency public information and serve as a communications resource and backup during critical incidents as directed.
Perform other duties as assigned.