Public Information Specialist

Placer County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking an individual who can utilize public speaking, news media, publications, and social networking to effectively communicate the agency's unified system of services which safeguard the health and well-being of the people and animals in our communities. To realize its mission, HHS strives to keep all children, adults, and families healthy and safe, at home, in school or work, out of trouble, and self-sufficient.

HHS is a mission driven organization responsible for a broad range of behavioral health, social services, and public health services. HHS places people first through an award winning integrated system of services comprised of the following divisions:

For more information regarding HHS click HERE.

Regarding the County of Placer, it is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, westward through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play and learn. For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.

THIS RECRUITMENT CLOSES 5:00 PM SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2016

This is a full time benefited position in the Department of Health and Human Services. This position will assist and work directly with the Department Head and the executive management team with both internal and external communications related to the Department's services. The ideal candidate will possess excellent writing skills, social media fluency, and web-page design experience. The HHS Public Information Specialist will be responsible to:

• Set up and maintain Facebook and Twitter accounts for HHS in addition to other relevant social media platforms;
• Redevelop and maintain the HHS website;
• Work with HHS divisions on community outreach campaigns to promote HHS programs, including CalFresh benefits and homeless services in addition to engaging homeless veterans and landlords with affordable housing; and
• Work with the Public Health Officer to promote countywide health and wellness initiatives.

To perform a wide variety of public information and communication projects in support of a County department’s public information program, including assisting in planning, organizing and/or implementing a comprehensive public information, media relations and communication program; write press releases and public information materials; and provide staff assistance to supervisory or management personnel.

This is a full journey-level classification and employees are expected to perform with a large degree of independence.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  The Public Information Specialist is distinguished from other classifications that provide public information on a county-wide basis, for the Board of Supervisors and perform functions encompassing multi-jurisdictional and multi-functional impacts.  

Receives general supervision from higher level supervisory or management personnel.  Functional or technical supervision may also be received from higher level management.
 
May exercise technical or functional supervision over outside consultants, contract employees, and/or technical and clerical staff.

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

• Plan, implement and participate in public information and public affairs programs in accordance with the department’s goals and objectives; coordinates the dissemination of information to the general public, communications media, public and private sector officials, industry and businesses.
• Manage public outreach efforts; plan, arrange and coordinate briefings, press conferences, workshops, information sessions, conferences and public hearings.
• Represent the department before the news media, public and private sector officials and administrative and legislative bodies on a variety of issues; speak at workshops, panel discussions, educational groups, and other events. 
• Develop, recommend and implement guidelines, and procedures regarding, brochures, articles, fact sheets, photographs, video, web pages, graphics, advertisements, newsletters, news releases and other materials; ensure materials are maintained, up-to-date, and enhance the department’s image. 
• Prepare correspondence in response to inquiries, general complaints, and suggestions relative to the department’s regulatory programs and activities; consult with appropriate staff members to secure pertinent technical facts and information. 
• Research, write, and edit press releases, newsletter articles, brochures, fliers, and other materials in support of the department’s public information effort. 
• Plan, organize, staff and manage 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 the department’s newsletter. 
• Provide logistical support to and/or prepare special projects, including brochures, display boards, magazine photos, and other media projects. 
• Attend occasional night or weekend meetings; provide public information in time of emergency; remain on-call, as needed; 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. 
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training

It is the applicant's responsibility to identify in their application materials how they meet the Minimum Qualifications listed below.

Experience: Two years of experience performing progressively responsible media, communications, or public information work which included responsibility for developing and implementing one or more public sector media or public information 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.

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 journalism.
• Principles of good customer service.
• Techniques used in preparing and delivering effective oral and written presentations.
• 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.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal rules, regulations and laws.
• Principles and practices used within a public information function.

Ability to:

• Operate office machines, such as facsimiles and copiers.
• 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.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Perform independent research or an interview, then analyze and explain detailed information in a meaningful way.
• Handle multiple project assignments, analyze and establish priorities, and maintain the flexibility to change priorities often as required.
• 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 orally and in writing.
• Work odd or unusual hours during emergency or disaster situations requiring Public information services.
• Interpret and apply County and Department policies, procedures, rules and regulations; interpret complex information about a variety of county programs and issues.
• Perform independent research or an interview, then analyze and explain detailed information in a meaningful way.
• Effectively use photography, videography and other audio-visual tools.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be required to respond to an online Conviction History Questionnaire, which will be sent as a link on their notification that minimum qualifications have been met.  Failure to respond to this questionnaire within (3) three calendar days of the minimum qualification notification will result in disqualification from the examination.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination, which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation, sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation and/or be bonded.

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and those in management and confidential groups, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view benefits for General bargaining unit