Public Information Officer

Ramsey County•(Ramsey County Government Center) Saint Paul, MN

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The current vacancy is in the Communications and Public Relations Department. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department. Ramsey County is hiring for a Public Information Officer (PIO/Communications Manager) to create, implement and oversee communications programs that effectively promote the work across several departments at the county. Join a dynamic, creative and passionate team doing impactful work that makes a difference every day—supporting employees with the information they need to do their best work and helping residents, businesses, partners and other stakeholders understand, access and connect with the services that matter most. The PIO (Communications Manager) will support one of five service teams: County Operations, Community Services & Supports, Economic Growth & Community Investment, Health & Wellness, Safety & Justice. A key member of the Communications and Public Relations (CPR) department leadership team, the PIO (Communications Manager) manages a team of communications associates and specialists that provide strategic communications to all departments within a service team. The PIO (Communications Manager) provides day-to-day leadership, direction and coaching to a team of communications associates and specialists. This includes setting clear priorities, aligning work plans with countywide communications strategies, overseeing project intake and workflow management, and ensuring high-quality and timely deliverables. The PIO (Communications Manager) also directly contributes to and leads communications projects, including developing communications strategies and campaigns, creating key messages and communications plans, advising leaders and subject matter experts, and developing communications materials. This position serves as a strategic communications advisor to county leadership and staff, providing counsel on complex or high-profile issues and helping leaders effectively communicate with employees, residents, media, partners or other stakeholders. The PIO (Communications Manager) may lead communications for complex projects involving multiple internal departments and external public stakeholders, coordinating messaging, engagement strategies and communications activities across organizational boundaries. The PIO (Communications Manager) will work with other department team members to respond to media inquiries and provide media engagement, crisis communications and response activities.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in English, journalism, marketing, communications, education or a related field.
Five years experience in public relations, marketing or a related field.
Two years experience in a public (governmental) setting is desired.
Equivalent combination of education and related experience.
None.

Nice To Haves

Two years experience in a public (governmental) setting is desired.

Responsibilities

Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
Assist in developing public information plans and strategies for increasing public awareness of services, activities and accomplishments; coordinate the gathering and analysis of demographic, market and other information necessary for formulating and evaluating the effectiveness of the overall public information plan; evaluate the results of public information activities and ensure that the public information plan addresses the needs and concerns of all the various constituencies and communities.
Oversee the development of the various public information activities such as electronic, print, audio and visual materials.
Oversee involvement in special events; public relations; presence on the internet and other electronic media; mass mailings, reports, signage and other informational and promotional documents; in order to ensure adherence to the organization’s protocol and standards, and to ensure that a unified, consistent message/identity is delivered.
Coordinate and oversee the organization’s presence on the internet and other electronic media.
Develop, produce and coordinate communication pieces for the public, employees and other audiences via several mediums including content for the web, newsletters, fact sheets, intranet, newspapers, media, and other communication vehicles.
Oversee and produce internal employee communications including e-newsletters and intranet content.
Serve as a contact and liaison with media/press representatives; coordinate with Communications leadership on requests from the press for official statements with respect to the county’s position on issues/incidents of public interest; develop contacts with media, community and business representatives to promote coverage of county issues, activities and accomplishments, and ensure involvement by various constituencies and communities.
Assist the Director Communications & Public Relations in identifying appropriate spokespeople (to include the Public Information Officer) and subject matter experts for interviews with the news media.
Ensure a unified, consistent message/theme concerning the crisis/emergency activities is delivered and adheres to protocol and standards.
Advise senior leadership in the establishment of policies, procedures, and protocol with respect to public relations.
Produce informational products by working with outside vendors to ensure quality, accuracy and tone, locating and hiring skilled translators as needed, preparing bids for printed projects, and arrange for the appropriate distribution of materials throughout the county, region or state to improve communication and education.
Develop presentations to brief elected officials and other county personnel about specific projects; make presentations to regional, state, or national audiences about communications issues.