Placer County

To assist with a wide variety of county-wide or department specific communication projects in support of the county’s public information program; to plan, organize and implement comprehensive public information, media relations and communication programs; to write press releases and other public information materials; to serve as assigned department spokesperson; and to provide staff assistance to  management/executive level staff.

Receives general direction from assigned management staff.

May exercise direct or technical and functional supervision over assigned staff.

Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serve as spokesperson for print, television, radio, and/or social media; hold press conferences to brief the public providing essential information regarding critical incidents, emergencies, and community or department events.
• Research and write news releases, newsletter articles, brochures, fliers, and other materials in support of the public information effort.
• Assist in planning, organizing, staffing and managing logistical details of special events, community outreach activities, employee activities and significant projects.
• Take photographs, attend events, research, write copy and provide logistical support for newsletters.
• Update and maintain websites and other social media platforms.
• Provide logistical support to video and other media projects.
• Respond to a wide variety of questions from the public regarding technical topics or general inquiries on behalf of the County or assigned department.
• Assist with forecasting budget justifications for staff, equipment, materials and supplies; may monitor and control expenditures for unit.
• Attend occasional night or weekend meetings; provide public information in time of emergency or critical incidents; travel to any Placer County location for occasional work-related duties.
• Build positive working relationships with the public and other county employees, using principles of good customer service.
• Contact businesses, civic organizations and people in leadership positions in conjunction with county projects or issues.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible professional level communications, media and/or public information experience including spokesperson responsibilities and/or developing and implementing public relations programs.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in English, journalism, marketing, communication, public relations, or a related field.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of communications and journalism.
• Principles of good customer service.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal rules, regulations and laws.
• Principles and practices used within a public information function.
• Budgeting procedures and techniques.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training and performance evaluations.
• Techniques used in preparing and delivering effective oral and written presentations.
• Photography, videography and audio production equipment and software.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Computer software programs such as word processing, graphical design or layout programs, and/or internet web page maintenance or design.

Ability to:

• Operate modern office equipment including computers, copiers, document scanners, fax machines, cell phones and/or other electronic devices. On a continuous basis, sit at desk and in meetings for long periods of time.  Intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel or twist to observe emergency conditions and/or provide on-site public information; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and use a keyboard to communicate through written means.
• Interpret and apply County and department policies, procedures, rules and regulations; interpret complex information about a variety of County programs and issues.
• Perform moderately complex mathematical and statistical calculations accurately.
• Supervise, train and evaluate staff.
• Perform independent research, analyze and explain detailed information in a meaningful way.
• Effectively use photography, videography and other audio-visual tools.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Work on multiple project assignments simultaneously, analyze and establish priorities, and maintain the flexibility to change priorities often as required.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with reporters, news media, other agencies, the public county employees and all those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work odd or unusual hours during emergency or disaster situations requiring Public Information services.