Public Information Supervisor

County of Thurston•Olympia, WA

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is recruiting for a Public Information Supervisor at 0.75-FTE for its Communications Division. In this essential Executive Team role, you will develop and manage PHSS’s public information program to connect community members with vital health and human services resources. We are looking for a creative manager to lead the production of high-quality outreach materials, elevate public awareness, and guarantee that all segments of our diverse community stay informed, safe, and supported. This position is budgeted at 75% of the posted salary range, resulting in a salary range of $4,974.75–$6,543.75. However, we anticipate overfilling this position at 1.0 FTE, pending available budget.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree involving major study in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, English, or closely related field. Additional experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
Five (5) years of professional experience in public information, public relations, journalism, or other field involving preparation and distribution of public information materials.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the public or private sector
Ability to communicate verbally, in writing, and via various graphic and electronic media, complex ideas and technical information to a variety of audiences in a clear, concise, effective, and professional manner
Knowledge of public information strategy and the principles and methods used in the preparation of public information materials.
Ability to identify communication solutions to various organizational issues.
Ability to conceptualize and design public information materials.
Knowledge of graphic arts and printing methods, materials, and terminology
Computer/desktop publishing experience preferred
Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with local media.
Knowledge of various media sources and how to package information to ensure wide dissemination
Ability to plan and carry out promotional and marketing campaigns.
Ability to plan, organize, schedule and carry out multiple tasks and priorities.
Knowledge of public policy and decision-making processes.
Basic knowledge of county government organization, programs and services.
Knowledge of basic supervisory skills and techniques
Respect and Organizational Culture Create an environment where employees and partners can safely express needs or concerns and where employees can make and correct mistakes
Effectively interact with sensitivity while working with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles
Thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization maintaining a positive work environment
Communication Serve the public in a timely, complete, accurate, and professional manner while ensuring that written and verbal communication is clearly understood by others
Maintain cultural competency to support diverse perspectives in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, programs, and services that affect the health of the community
Strong oral communication for networking and interpersonal relationships
Excellent written communication including the ability to craft correspondence, reports, and articles or web postings with minimal grammatical and syntax errors
Leadership: Supervise, motivate, and develop employees and team to become more productive and effective in achieving desired goals and career growth while encouraging employee critical reflection; able to give direction without conflict
Show fairness and impartiality in interactions; is interested in employee welfare, elicits staff input where feasible; respond to staff suggestions and complaints in a sincere, sensitive, and timely manner
Goal Setting and Accomplishment Use strategic thinking and planning for goal setting and evaluation
Effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure
Create a sense of mission by articulating and modeling confidentiality, professional values, and ethics with honesty and integrity
Operate with a high degree of flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment
Delegate and use persuasion and negotiating skills for shared responsibility and acceptance of change

Responsibilities

Develops public information strategies for specific public health and social services programs based on internal and external stakeholder needs.
Administers public information and education programs to provide the public with greater knowledge and understanding of the Thurston County Public Health & Social Services department and to enhance the department's communication with the media and the community.
Coordinates with the County’s Communications Office and provides input into the development, implementation, and evaluation of county-wide communication policies and plans.
Supervises staff engaged in the design, preparation, and production of public information materials. Participates in selection and performance evaluation of those staff members.
Plans, develops, and produces or supervises the production of public information and educational materials, such as news articles, brochures, fact sheets, newsletters, advertisements, displays, etc.
Participates in the selection and supervision of outside consultants for public information services, such as graphic design, printing, and advertising.
Coordinates or supervises the coordination and dissemination of information about special events, public forums, neighborhood meetings, etc.
Disseminates information about office or department programs in response to requests by the media, residents, business community, neighborhood organizations, and other jurisdictions to educate and facilitate positive communications with the County.
Prepares or supervises the preparation of press releases, public service announcements, and other information for release to the media.
May serve as media liaison or spokesperson on specific projects.
Perform other work as required or assigned, including, but not limited to, a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations. This includes emergency preparedness training and exercises, relevant to the work expectations of duties during emergencies.