Department Public Information Officer

Butte County•Oroville, CA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Butte County Administration Department is seeking a Public Information Officer (PIO) to serve as a backup during periods of absence and functions as a PIO during emergency activations. The position is scheduled for approximately 10 hours per week, much of which could be done remotely, assisting with public communications, media inquiries, and outreach activities as needed. Additionally, the incumbent will respond during county emergencies to support timely and effective public information efforts at the County’s Emergency Operations Center. This is an Extra Help Position, meaning it may be a Part-Time or Non-Permanent position. The number of hours worked per week may vary and depend on the needs of the department. Under general direction, performs varied professional, technical, and confidential work required to administer public information functions within a County department; provides consulting services to department management and staff on various public information issues; coordinates work with County Communications and Public Information Officer; and performs related duties as assigned. This classification is responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing public information functions in an assigned department. Incumbents exercise independent judgment and have accountability and ongoing decision-making responsibilities associated with the work. Performance of the work requires the use of independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines.

Requirements

Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of strategic communication, public information, media relations, and graphic design.
Principles, techniques, and practices of journalism including expository writing and editing.
Methods to prepare, design, layout, produce, and disseminate educational, informational, and promotional materials.
Best practices for social media and digital content.
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances and County policies and procedures relevant to public information programs.
Practices of researching issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing effective reports and related materials.
Methods and techniques of preparing reports and general business correspondence.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
Plan, develop, and implement department public information programs.
Assist in developing and implementing department guidelines and procedures for communications and dissemination of public information.
Write and edit presentations, speeches, scripts, news releases, public relations articles, factsheets, brochures, bulletins, graphic materials, and educational materials.
Oversee and implement department social media program.
Provide creative direction for visual communications including design, layout, and content.
Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
Organize and maintain accurate recordkeeping systems.
Effectively represent the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public administration, journalism, marketing, communications, public relations, political science, or a related field; and Three (3) years of experience in public communications, public relations, marketing, or program management.
Must possess a valid US driver’s license upon date of application.
Must obtain California driver’s license following hire date per California DMV regulations.

Responsibilities

Plans, develops, and directs a comprehensive communication strategy for internal and external communications for assigned department, in cooperation with formal or informal work teams, including developing procedures and action plans for public information, marketing, and communications programs and materials.
Ensures compliance with countywide policies, guidelines, and procedures for communications and dissemination of public information, internally and externally.
Provides technical guidance and consultation to management and staff on departmental communications projects and programs; provides training on media-related processes and procedures.
Advises department heads, management, and staff on media relations; provides guidance on preparing, presenting, and distributing informational materials and communications; prepares materials and scripts for use.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the news media, community groups, elected officials, and other governmental agencies to meet departmental communication and outreach needs; provides information on department services, events, and newsworthy incidents.
Oversees and implements the department’s social media program; maintains department social media platforms and presence; creates digital content by applying graphic design principles and using video editing applications.
Provides creative direction for visual communications including design, layout, and content.
Serves as public information officer for the department during disasters and emergencies.
Creates and updates content and information on the department’s websites.
Researches, compiles, and summarizes data from various sources; writes and edits presentations, speeches, scripts, news releases, public relations articles, factsheets, brochures, bulletins, graphic materials, reports, and educational materials.
Organizes and maintains accurate and detailed databases, electronic and physical files, and records; verifies accuracy of information, researches discrepancies, and records information; ensures compliance with established records retention schedules including archiving, scanning, and destructing files.
Receives, processes, and responds to public records requests, complaints, and other requests for information; researches and organizes information; coordinates resolution to problems and issues.
Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications to remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in the field of public information.
Performs related duties as assigned.