Public Information Officer (#MECA01)
$40,446.00 Yearly Min / $50,558.00 Yearly Mid / $60,670.00 Yearly Max

Community Relations Officer (#MECA02)
$45,798.00 Yearly Min / $57,248.00 Yearly Mid / $68,698.00 Yearly Max

Community Relations Coordinator (#MECA03)
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$51,858.00 Yearly Min / $64,822.00 Yearly Mid / $77,786.00 Yearly Max

Chief Community Relations (#MECA04)
$62,483.00 Yearly Min / $78,104.00 Yearly Mid / $93,725.00 Yearly Max

This class series uses four levels in the Cultural and Information Resources Services occupational group, Marketing and Public Information Services occupational series and describes public relations work preparing and disseminating information to be communicated via print, broadcast, public forum, or educational programs.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.  

• Gathers, organizes, and formats information related to an agency's goals, objectives and services.
   
• Promotes an agency's image consistent with the overall direction of the agency.
   
• Coordinates timely and accurate responses and information to citizens, community groups or governmental agencies.
   
• Encourages participation in the use of agency services.
   
• Coordinates and conducts public meetings, media events or educational programs.
   
• Ensures a mutual sharing of information with other agencies, media and the general public.  
    
• May supervise staff.

Public Information Officer

This is the first level in the series.

• Reports to an administrative or technical supervisor. 
• Performs the full range of Essential Functions.
• Contacts include colleagues in technical fields to gather and translate technical, complex information and issues into forms more easily understood by the media and/or public.

Community Relations Officer

This is the second level in the series responsible for interpreting an agency's role within the community.

• Develops agency policies, procedures and programs for dissemination of information and matters of public debate. 
• Directs and participates in gathering, organizing and formatting statistical data, educational materials, promotion and advertising information related to the agency's goals, objectives and services
• Evaluates and recommends agency events, programs and services to meet community needs.
• Trains and/or assists agency staff in the methods and techniques of public relations.

Community Relations Coordinator

This is the third level in the series responsible for overseeing and coordinating public relations and information functions for all divisions within a department.

• Reports to an administrative supervisor.
• Serves as primary media and constituent contact for the department.
• Provides communication of departmental goals through a coordinated public relations and public education campaign.
• Plans and directs agency events, programs and services to meet community needs; conducts press conferences, public education campaigns and training seminars for the public.
• Recognizes and mediates complex and diverse issues which are frequently controversial and explosive in nature and critical to department operations.

Chief, Community Relations

This level is responsible for managing a departmental public relations program.

• Supervises and coordinates the activities of technical and support staff.  Supervision is exercised over at least two or more merit full time positions per the Merit Rules.  The elements of supervision include planning, assigning, reviewing, evaluating, coaching, training, and recommending hire, fire and discipline.
• Manages public relations functions for all divisions within a department; responsibilities include planning, directing and coordinating the work of public relations staff.
• Promotes internal and external communications in the agency.
• Resolves complex and diverse issues which are frequently controversial and explosive in nature and critical to department operations.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA's listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public relations and communication.
• Knowledge of the methods and techniques of public speaking.
• Knowledge of agency goals, objectives and services.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules and regulations governing agency activities.
• Knowledge of the technical and social disciplines applicable to the agency.
• Skill in applying the methods and techniques of print and electronic communication.
• Ability to address controversial issues.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Community Relations Officer requires:

• Skill in public relations and communications.
• Skill in public speaking.
• Skill in developing effective relationships with the media and mutual interest organizations or individuals.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Community Relations Coordinator requires:

• Skill in public speaking which includes addressing large audiences.
• Skill in recognizing and mediating controversial and explosive issues.
• Ability to coordinate and motivate staff.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Chief, Community Relations requires:

• Knowledge of planning, directing and coordinating a public relations program.
• Skill in staff supervision.
• Skill in resolving controversial and explosive issues.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Public Information Officer
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Six months experience in public relations or media relations to establish and promote a positive image and inform or influence specific audiences through the use of internal and external communications such as public forums, print or electronic media, speech writing, writing/editing, marketing, advertising, or special events.
2. Six months experience in gathering, organizing, formatting and translating or interpreting information into forms more easily understood by the media or public, and disseminating the information through the use of print, broadcast or electronic media.
3. Six months experience in public speaking which includes gathering, preparing and presenting information to the public or media groups.
4. Knowledge of developing, planning and directing public events, campaigns, programs or services to meet community needs.