PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST II - 64066649

State of Florida • Destin, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This highly responsible Public Information Specialist position involves coordinating and assisting with a variety of communications and marketing efforts for the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) in Okaloosa County, working under the direct supervision of the Senior Management Analyst I-SES. Position works with the Office of Communications (COMMS) and all internal Okaloosa County Health Department (OCHD) program areas to ensure that information is disseminated accurately and effectively to outside organizations and the public. Duties and responsibilities are performed with strict adherence to all state and local policies, procedures and guidelines.

Position involves frequent communication with external audiences including members of the general public, outside organizations, community officials, and internal audiences such as department leadership, program managers or department staff. Identifies appropriate audiences and disseminates pertinent information on a variety of topics.

Requirements

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships between internal departments and external organizations
• Experience in coordinating logistics and materials for meetings or events
• Ability to disseminate technical information in a way that meets the needs of the intended audience(s)
• Ability to provide guidance and expertise to audiences with varying levels and diverse application of communication skills
• Experience working with equipment such as computers, printers and cameras
• Experience and proficiency in working with Microsoft Office/O365 applications (i.e., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, OneNote, SharePoint)
• Experience in or ability to learn website management systems
• Experience creating/designing a variety of general print or digital products (i.e., flyers, presentations, social media graphics or other relevant types of materials)
• Experience preparing and working with professional/official documents with a high degree of accuracy (i.e., Reports, informational documents, guides, or other official business documents)
• Must maintain a valid U.S. Drivers’ License.
• All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English.

Nice To Haves

• Work experience may be considered as substitute for degree requirement.

Responsibilities

• Monitors the PIO mailbox, responds to or routes inquiries to the appropriate department or individual.
• Monitors and updates the local PIO Request tracking system to ensure requests are completed timely.
• Assists programs in obtaining vendor quotes for ad delivery by social media, billboards or other digital advertising methods. Provides technical guidance and product-related resources to programs to obtain quotes for print materials, promotional items, or other general items.
• Approves branding related purchase requests in the state procurement system, ensuring all purchases are made in accordance with department branding and content standards and all prior approvals have been obtained as required.
• Participates in ongoing or episodic projects to contribute subject matter knowledge and skills.
• Assists within the section on the coordination, logistics and production of materials for training events, staff activities and other functions.
• Services as back up for other applicable tasks/functions within the section as assigned by supervisor.
• Works collaboratively with OCHD program managers to develop, review and update marketing plans designed to promote department programs and services, community outreach initiatives and other public health messaging.
• Assists programs in designing/producing general branded content and materials including flyers, brochures, advertising content, etc. May coordinate utilization of COMMS for technical or specialized design requests.
• Facilitates COMMS or other approvals as required for all marketing campaigns, branded content/items or other materials.
• Receives and reviews all information requests received from media, responds to requests as appropriate or routes requests to COMMS or other appropriate local spokesperson.
• Produces press releases and other public information content, to be distributed to the media and the public as approved.
• Maintains and updates media contact lists as needed, establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with Okaloosa County general media.
• Monitor Department of Health and local media releases to keep leadership, supervisor and other key staff informed of emerging or potential concerns.
• Performs Public Information Officer duties as a part of the ESF-14 response team in emergency situations.
• Works collaboratively with local subject matter experts and the Web Management Team in maintaining the public OCHD website, ensuring accuracy, relevance and applicable approval of website content.
• Assists with maintaining the OCHD internal communication site (SharePoint), works collaboratively with program managers in developing and applying approved content or information to program specific areas, and works with the SharePoint Administration Team in accomplishing specialized site needs or resolving issues.
• Participates in a variety of department-wide committees, teams and workgroups; attends meetings, participates in projects/activities and prepares meeting notes as directed.
• Represent the department on various boards, committees or advisory groups and attend department or community hosted events as directed.
• Completes/attends all state mandatory training and department-wide or position specific trainings or opportunities for applicable cross-training.
• Research new tools and resources to improve the quality and efficiency of the department’s communication, marketing and public information initiatives.
• Provides or facilitates training and development for department staff to improve communication skills.
• Performs all other duties as assigned in support of the Agency’s mission and vision.

Benefits

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

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