Human Resource Services
Alameda Skyline

Public Information Specialist

Recruitment #15-0320-01

Introduction

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended. Applications must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.  Postmarks are not accepted.  Applications will only be accepted on-line.

Supplemental Questionnaire:  A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application.  Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Postmarks are not accepted.  Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification. 

Applications will only be accepted on-line.

DESCRIPTION

ABOUT THE ALAMEDA COUNTY LIBRARY
The Alameda County Library provides library services from ten branch libraries in the cities of Albany, Dublin, Fremont, Newark and Union City and the unincorporated communities of Castro Valley and San Lorenzo. Outreach services are provided through the Bookmobile, the Literacy Program, PULSE, and the County Jails. The County Library was established in 1910 and is governed by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.

The Alameda County Library Advisory Commission advises the County Librarian and the Board of Supervisors on library services. The County Library is funded primarily by local property taxes, with additional revenue from State grants and contracts with cities for additional open hours and services. The Board of Supervisors allocates a portion of a utility users and business license tax which is collected only in the unincorporated areas of the County to the Library for service to the unincorporated areas.

The Alameda County Library Foundation and active Friends of the Library or Library League groups in each community support library programs and services. To learn more about the Alameda County Library, please visit their website at: http://www.aclibrary.org/   

THE POSITION 
Under general direction, to develop, maintain, and coordinate a public information program for a large County department or agency; to advise and assist management in public information/relations activities.  This position will be highly visible, serving as the primary media contact for the Library Department and for executive management. This position requires individuals to possess excellent presentation skills and the ability to effectively represent the organization as a spokesperson both with the media, and the community. 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will encompass the following attributes, and have demonstrated a successful track record in:

  • Effective time management by balancing competing priorities and ensuring work is completed efficiently.
  • Planning, developing and implementing marketing strategies, marketing communications, and public relations activities, both external and internal. 
  • Overseeing development and implementation of support materials and services in the area of marketing, communications, and public relations. 
  • Researching prospective content to share on the internet and social media accounts; identifying emerging trends and best practices.
  • Developing long-term interactive marketing plans to guide content creation.
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams to plan and execute communication and outreach strategies.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Proactively seeks and participates in public relations opportunities to promote the department and related programs.  Strategizes with department director, branch managers and program managers to execute the overall internal and external communication strategy for the department, to include internal and external stakeholders.  Produces/coordinates production and dissemination of informational publications, audio-visual material, media releases, displays, exhibits, and/or speeches.

This includes development of purpose, copy, design, visuals, and layout so that it will reach and be understood by the target audience.  Provides targeted assistance to department divisions/programs in public engagement or education activities. Posts news and announcements to  social media outlets, writes articles for newsletters, writes news releases, requests for coverage, and speaking points, coordinates news conferences and performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in journalism, public relations, advertising or a related field,

AND

Experience:

Two years of full-time experience in journalism or public relations which included the development and editing of publications and/or new releases and the exposure of working with media representatives in the coordination of a public information program. (Additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

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:

· All forms of media.
· Departmental/agency programs and activities.
· Information dissemination techniques and methods.
· Marketing strategies and techniques.
· Media Relations and Outreach.
· Risk Communications.
· Computer applications.
· Web-based communications.

Ability to:

· Discern potential public information items.
· Develop a public information program.
· Speak and write effectively.
· Develop effective working relationships with media representatives.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF the following steps: 1) A review of candidates' applications to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process. 2) A review of candidates’ Supplemental Questionnaires to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process. 3) An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION.

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components. Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work. To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

Selection Plan

Applicants will be informed via e-mail with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

 

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:

Deadline for Filing:


Review of Minimum Qualifications:


Screening of Supplemental Questionnaire for Best Qualified:

Oral Interviews
:

 

 

5:00 pm, Monday, July 6, 2015


July 10, 2015

 

July 20, 2015

TBD

 

 

*WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN*

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statues. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statues.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

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 & Welfare Benefits

  • Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
  • Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance
  • Vision
  • Basic Life Insurance
  • Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage)
  • County Allowance (Employer Credit)
  • Health Flexible Spending Account
  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
  • Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

  • Short-term Disability Insurance
  • Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
  • Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

  • 11 paid holidays
  • Vacation and sick leave accrual
  • Vacation purchase program
  • Management Paid Leave**
  • Group Auto/Home Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits Program
  • Group Legal
  • 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
  • 1st 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.

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you.

All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page. Please take the steps recommended above to insure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the bulletin for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Nicole Lewis-Bolton
Human Resources Analyst II
Human Resource Services Division-County of Alameda
510-272-6468
www.acgov.org