Placer County

(Unclassified)

Under direction of the County Communications and Public Information Director plan, organize, and manage the day-to-day operations of the Communications and Public Affairs Division within the County Executive Office including preparation and dissemination of information concerning the activities of Placer County; to coordinate Public Information activities with other divisions and departments; and to provide highly complex administrative assistance to the County Communications and Public Information Director.

Receives general direction from the County Communications and Public Information Director.

Exercises direct supervision over assigned management, supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist in the planning, organizing, and direction of the County's communications, civic engagement, media relations, neighborhood outreach services, special events, and public information activities, including the development and implementation of internal and external communications, facilitating meetings, utilization of the internet and intranet, and government relations strategic plans.
• Initiate and implement strategic communications plans and support County departments in developing communications strategies to address emerging issues.
• Assist in managing and coordinating County-wide public information and media relations activities, operations, and programs on behalf of the County Executive Office.
• Serve as County spokesperson and manage coordinated responses on behalf of multiple stakeholders for electronic and print media and the preparation of information for use by news media.
• Serve as public information contact for county agencies during emergencies and disasters and coordinate the public information activity of the department-level communications managers.
• Assist in the development and implementation of division goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Develop and implement communications plans and strategies that support the county's priorities, objectives, and strategic plan to build trust with the public and various stakeholders.
• Manage the county's media relations training program and coach executive leadership and staff on effective practices and media communications.
• Oversee editorial operations for county-wide news products, ensuring consistency with news style, messaging, and upholding professional standards.
• Plan, organize, and manage public information activities including advising elected officials and department heads about potential issues and/or current topics that require public information outreach and/or public response.
• Assist in budget preparation and implementation; participate in the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; assist with administering the approved budget.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate staff; provide and/or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; implement discipline procedures, and maintain high standards necessary for the efficient and professional operation of the division.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with reporters, media leaders, other county employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Represent the County Executive Office to the public, outside agencies, and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; provide technical assistance as necessary.
• Provide advice and counsel on strategic communication matters to county stakeholders including the Board of Supervisors, elected and appointed department heads, and management teams.
• Research and prepare technical and administrative reports; prepare written correspondence.
• Act on behalf of the County Communications and Public Information Director in their absence.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training:

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in public communications or customer relations in the public or private sector including emergency response.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in communications, journalism, business or public administration, or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:

May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of communications and public affairs.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• Pertinent local, state and federal rules, regulations, and laws.
• Effective public presentation methods to attract and inform a variety of audiences.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• Methods and techniques for the development of press releases, talking points, newsletters, presentations, business correspondence, and information dissemination.
• Social media, web design, and graphic/visual presentation methods.
• Principles and practices of policy development.
• Principles and practices of organizational analysis and management.
• Budgeting procedures and techniques.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; read, identify, interpret, understand, analyze, apply, recall, and explain complex and technical policies and procedures, numerical information, work papers, technical reports, special projects, and pertinent laws, rules, and regulations; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks with frequent interruptions; analyze situations and determine proper course of action; manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and quickly switch between tasks; focus on a single task for long periods of time.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk or in meetings for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, or twist to reach equipment or when in the field; perform simple and power grasping and fine manipulation; speak, use a telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate; see and hear with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; lift moderate weight.
• Organize and direct public information operations.
• Perform the most complex work of the division.
• Make effective public presentations in routine and emergency situations.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Gain cooperation through discussion, persuasion and group facilitation.
• Interpret and apply county and department policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Assist with budget preparation and administration.
• Operate modern office equipment including computers, copiers, document scanners, fax machines, cell phones and/or other electronic devices.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with 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 verbally and in writing.