County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, to coordinate and facilitate a County wide public information program regarding activities of Alameda County and its various departments; to actively promote the services and successes of operating departments and the benefits to County residents; to proactively establish and maintain productive relationships between the County and area media; and to perform related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This single position class is located in the office of the County Administrator and is primarily charged with the coordination of public information concerning County operations and objectives. This class is distinguished from Public Information Specialist in that the latter classification performs related duties and responsibilities for a large County department or agency. This classification is further distinguished from the Administrative Analyst series in that positions in this series focus on review and analysis of operating departments’ programs and financial management.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Coordinates the development and implementation of a countywide external communication plan to increase the public’s awareness of County’s services, successes and accomplishments.

2. Establishes and maintains productive relationships with area media, providing the media with basic and background information, arranging contacts with departments and Board of Supervisors, as appropriate, and preparing press releases as required.

3. Facilitates thorough, accurate coverage, preparing concise factual briefing papers for distribution to media, department heads and senior staff, cities’ mayors/managers, legislative contingent, and other appropriate parties.

4. Alerts Board of Supervisors’ members, or their representatives, department heads and the County Administrator as appropriate of inquiries regarding significant or controversial issues relating to County operations. This includes anticipating and predicting issues that may generate media interest.

5. Serves as spokesperson in specific situations as requested by the Board of Supervisors, County Administrator, and/or an affected department head. Conducts press events and conferences as assigned. Recommends when such events are needed and appropriate.

6. Serves as resource to the Board of Supervisors, County Administrator and departments in developing and implementing a public communications program and in planning significant special media events.

7. Reviews with departments, press releases on significant, controversial or critical subjects, and assists or prepares and disseminates news releases, bulletins and other publications or material for dissemination to the public and/or the media.

8. Monitors news publications and other media coverage of County news and maintains a clip file of media coverage of County affairs and distributes clips to affected County departments and the Board of Supervisors.

9. Identifies and pursues opportunities to generate positive media coverage of the County’s programs and services.

10. Provides ongoing media relations training for the Board of Supervisors and County operating departments.

11. Prepares and/or edits pamphlets, articles, speeches, scripts, films, and other material for public information purposes.

12. Edits the County newsletter; plans, writes, does layout, supervises production.

13. Coordinates press coverage and community information issued by the County in times of disaster or emergencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in public relations, journalism, communications or a closely related field (Additional experience in journalism, public relations or the media may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis).

AND

The equivalent of three years of experience in journalism, public relations or the media which included providing information to the public in the capacity of an organization’s pubic relations spokesperson and writing and placing news releases or writing of news and feature articles for various communications media.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

· English grammar, spelling, syntax and punctuation.
· Information dissemination techniques and methods.
· Public relations and marketing strategies.
· Understanding of the working media.
· Principles of effective written communication.
· Layout and editing techniques and procedures.
· Interviewing techniques.
· Government and public service processes.
· Television production and scriptwriting techniques.
· Automated techniques in developing audiovisual presentations.

Ability:

· Excellent written communications as it pertains to media releases, articles, bulletins, etc.
· Clear and concise oral communications.
· Public speaking ability.
· Decision-Making.
· Strong analysis and problem solving.
· Interpersonal communication.
· Planning and organization.
· Produce accurate information in short timeframes.
· Manage multiple and changing priorities.
· Meet deadlines.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

RP:ab 11/85
JH:pb
Revised: 8/22/88
SA:jc
Revised 10/98
l040h
TB:jc
Updated 7/99
Co:updated 5/3/00
New doc. name: 0254 under Jobspec/newspec
Csc date: 10/14/98

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.