Public Information Specialist, Project

This is a reinstatement, transfer or voluntary demotion opportunity for current and former regularly appointed employees of Alameda County.

Reinstatement:
Pursuant to Civil Service Rule 1744: On the request of a department head and approval of the Commission, a regularly appointed employee who resigned in good standing may, within three years after the effective date of his/her resignation, be reinstated in a position in the class from which he/she resigned or in a position in another class for which he/she may be eligible as determined by the Commission. Appointments by reinstatement following resignation are subject to the probationary period established for the class. You must have been a classified County employee in the same job code or in a job code at the same salary maximum and left the County in good standing. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

Transfer:
You must be a current County classified employee in the same job code or in a job code with the same salary maximum for which you are applying. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

Voluntary Demotion:
You must be a current County classified employee in a job code which is at a higher salary maximum than the vacancy for which you are applying. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

THE AGENCY

Alameda County's Health Services Program is administered by the Health Care Services Agency and includes the following program areas: Behavioral Health Care, Public Health, Environmental Health, and Agency Administration/Indigent Health. The ultimate mission of the Health Care Services Agency is to provide fully integrated health care services through a comprehensive network of public and private partnerships that ensure optimal health and well-being and respect the diversity of all residents. Health Care Services Agency currently has multiple career opportunities for experienced professionals to become part of a service delivery team dedicated to the optimal health and well being of Alameda County residents.

THE POSITION

Under general direction, to develop, maintain, and coordinate public information activities within a County Department or Agency; to advise and assist management in public information/relations activities; and to perform related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES:

The class of Public Information Specialist is located in multiple departments/agencies within Alameda County and is responsible for internal and external public information/relations activities. The Public Information Specialist class is distinguished from the next higher class of Departmental Communications Manager in that the latter is responsible for supervising/managing a departmental communications unit and may report to an executive level manager or directly to the department/agency head.

Education:  

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public relations, journalism, communications, marketing, English, business administration, or a closely related field.  

AND

Experience:  

The equivalent of two (2) years of experience in journalism, public relations, media, social media strategy, marketing, advertising, or closely related field which included the development and editing of a variety of documents, publications and/or new releases and the exposure of working with media representatives in the coordination of public information and other related program activities.   

Substitution:  

Additional experience listed above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.  

Special Requirements:

• Some positions will require a full background check and fingerprint to determine suitability for assigned work.  A felony conviction may be disqualifying.  

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

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:  

• Principles and practices of public information, media relations, community outreach, and program development.
• Understanding of the working media.
• Methods and techniques used in gathering and evaluating public attitudes regarding the program.
• Copyright and trademarks laws pertaining to the use of multi-media.
• Departmental/Agency programs and activities.
• Information dissemination techniques and methods.
• Marketing strategies and techniques.
• Media relations and outreach.
• Risk communications.
• Desktop publishing, basic graphics preparation, presentation applications and equipment.
• Principles, techniques, procedures, and methods used to create and produce a variety of print, social/digital media, and related communications.
• Multimedia communications.
• Current multimedia technologies and digital platform trends and use in the public sector.
• English grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation.
• Writing styles for different platforms and audiences.  

Ability to:

• Create and implement a variety of communications, marketing materials, media releases, and outreach products or activities.
• Develop a public information program.
• Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Stay abreast of current communication and marketing trends.
• Provide a high level of customer service to the public, vendors, contractors, and staff.
• Manage multiple and changing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Produce accurate information within short timeframes.
• Evaluate and analyze information to reach logical conclusions.
• Organize information in a comprehensive and understandable package.
• Determine potential public information items.
• Collaborate and work effectively across diverse teams.

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
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• 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.

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TO APPLY: 

Please submit a PDF of your updated Alameda County application to Jerri Randrup at jerri.randrup@acgov.org. Please be in contact if you have any questions.

You are encouraged to apply immediately as this posting is open until filled and may close at anytime.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer