SENIOR PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST- Emergency Appointment Fire

About the position

The LA County Board of Supervisors has unanimously ratified a Proclamation of Local Emergency in response to the windstorms and wildfires, including the Palisades and Eaton Fires, that have devastated communities across the County. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to assist the County in mobilizing resources and support needed to help our residents recover and rebuild. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you. The Department of Beaches and Harbors is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Senior Public Information Specialist vacancies related to this unprecedented natural disaster. Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a key resource to executive management, advising on media relations, strategic communications, procedures, and processes.
• Provides technical guidance or supervises a team of lower-level public information staff.
• Establishes the objectives of the department's public information program and develops strategies and tactics to accomplish these objectives.
• Organizes and may assign work, sets priorities, and follows-up to ensure coordination and completion of assigned work.
• Participates in or may supervise the development and execution of communication strategies, tactics and deliverables, through various communication channels such as web and social media content, email newsletters, print collateral such as brochures, annual reports and other content.
• Oversees the coordination and execution of videography, photography and graphic design services, as needed.
• Researches and oversees research of departmental projects for proactive media outreach (story pitches).
• Develops procedures, standards, and guidelines for collection, review, and presentation of information to be communicated to the public through the various media channels and platforms.
• Coordinates releases and distribution to the media; organizes and arranges public information campaigns and press conferences.
• Identifies, develops, and maintains key communication channels, adapting and improving them in line with external trends and business needs.
• Handles intake and response to media requests for information under the California Public Records Act, in coordination with departmental management, County Counsel and the department's Public Records Act coordinator.
• Attends and participates in meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations related to the field of public information and media relations.
• Serves as liaison between the department and media representatives and develops effective relationships with media outlets.
• Monitors and tracks issues affecting the department, monitors media channels and informs management accordingly.
• Works with department representatives to develop communications such as an annual report, annual budget, mission and vision, and other critical documents.
• Serves as an information conduit to Board staff and Board Deputies and alerts them of inquiries regarding high-profile or controversial issues affecting the department and provides opportunities to generate accurate media coverage to highlight departmental activities to the public.
• Responds to newsworthy events and media inquiries, which may include emergencies as a result of an epidemic or following the occurrence of natural or other disaster by providing contacts and immediate responsiveness to inquiries including receiving and assessing information, tailoring releases to the audience, cooperating with the Board Office, Chief Executive Office, communications media, and advising appropriate personnel.
• Develops and maintains internal communication projects.
• Assesses effectiveness of digital content using online metrics.
• Maintains departmental website's public information content.
• Manage a photo archive of key word-searchable photos, as needed.
• Staff public information booth and make presentations to community groups, as needed.
• Develop and manage annual operating budget and provides fiscal direction to the unit(s) supervised, as needed.
• Respond to emergencies, newsworthy events, and media inquiries, as needed.
• Drive to different sites, as necessary.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Communications, Journalism, Public Administration, Public Relations, English or a closely-related field.
• Four (4) years of experience at the level of Los Angeles County's class of Public Information Specialist initiating, planning, developing, maintaining, evaluating, implementing, and coordinating a public information program or professional experience as a journalist within a media organization.
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.