Public Information Officer

Public Information Officer Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ramsey/jobs/newprint/4392724) Apply  Public Information Officer Salary $74,402.35 - $110,347.49 AnnuallyLocation (Ramsey County Courthouse) Saint Paul, MNJob TypeFull TimeJob Number2024-00053Department22C01-Countywide Communications/AdmnOpening Date02/15/2024Closing Date2/29/2024 11:59 PM Central

Description

Benefits

Questions

Basic FunctionThe current vacancy is in the Communications & Public Relations department. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department or County.Ramsey County is hiring a Public Information Officer/Media Relations Manager (PIO) to build out and oversee the public relations functions within the Communications and Public Relations department. Responsibilities include:

Serve as the primary point of contact for the media.

Prepare press releases and advisories.

Plan and oversee media events.

Develop talking points and briefing materials.

Provide media training for county leadership and subject matter experts.

Cultivate relationships with media.

Participate in a rotating on-call public information officer schedule with the department director and deputy director.

Supervise Public Relations Team.

Collaborate with Communications & Public Relations to ensure the county’s crisis communications plans are up to date.

Public Relations TeamThis new leadership position is an exciting opportunity to build out the department’s public relations functions in partnership with department leadership and staff.Goals for the Public Relations Team/Manager include:

Provide support and strategic guidance for the team as new public relations programs/initiatives are launched or elevated.

Enhance how the county uses media relations to tell our story while highlighting our outcomes and impacts.

Develop and deepen relationships with community and cultural media.

Support the volunteer services program and assist in developing it as a resource within public relations.

The basic functions of this position are to plan, direct and coordinate public information activities including strategic and crisis communications; responsibility for developing an overall public information plan; to advise senior management on public information/public relations issues; to supervise and coordinate the activities of staff responsible for public information programming; and to perform related duties as assigned. Flexible WorkplaceThis position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy (https://www.ramseycounty.us/sites/default/files/Departments/Policy%20and%20Planning/Flexible%20Workplace%20Policy%20May%202022.pdf) .If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with the personnel rules (i.e., promotion, transfer, or voluntary reduction).To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions (http://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ramsey/classspecs) . Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.Examples of Work Performed

Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.

Assist in developing public information plans and strategies for increasing public awareness of services, activities and accomplishments; coordinate the gathering and analysis of demographic, market and other information necessary for formulating and evaluating the effectiveness of the overall public information plan; evaluate the results of public information activities and ensure that the public information plan addresses the needs and concerns of all the various constituencies and communities.

Oversee the development of the various public information activities such as electronic, print, audio and visual materials.

Oversee involvement in special events; public relations; presence on the internet and other electronic media; mass mailings, reports, signage and other informational and promotional documents; in order to ensure adherence to the organization’s protocol and standards, and to ensure that a unified, consistent message/identity is delivered.

Coordinate and oversee the organization's presence on the internet and other electronic media.

Develop, produce and coordinate communication pieces for the public, employees and other audiences via several mediums including content for the web, newsletters, fact sheets, intranet, newspapers, media, and other communication vehicles.

Oversee and produce internal employee communications including e-newsletters and intranet content.

Serve as a contact and liaison with media/press representatives; coordinate with Communications leadership on requests from the press for official statements with respect to the county’s position on issues/incidents of public interest; develop contacts with media, community and business representatives to promote coverage of county issues, activities and accomplishments, and ensure involvement by various constituencies and communities.

Assist the Public Communications Director in identifying appropriate spokespeople (to include the Public Information Officer) and subject matter experts for interviews with the news media.

Ensure a unified, consistent message/theme concerning the crisis/emergency activities is delivered and adheres to protocol and standards.

Advise senior leadership in the establishment of policies, procedures, and protocol with respect to public relations.

Produce informational products by working with outside vendors to ensure quality, accuracy and tone, locating and hiring skilled translators as needed, preparing bids for printed projects, and arrange for the appropriate distribution of materials throughout the county, region or state to improve communication and education.

Develop presentations to brief elected officials and other county personnel about specific projects; make presentations to regional, state, or national audiences about communications issues.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.Minimum QualificationsEducation: Bachelor's Degree in English, journalism, marketing, communications, education or a related field.Experience: Five years experience in public relations, marketing or a related field.Two years experience in a public (governmental) setting is desired.Substitution: Masters Degree in English, journalism, marketing, communications, education or a related field, may substitute for up to two years of experience in public relations, marketing or a related field.Preferred Experience: Successful candidates will have demonstrated crisis communications experience.Exam/Screening Process InformationThe examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated:

Training and Experience Rating = 100%

The examination for Public Information Officer will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions – do not mark “see resume” or “see work history” as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.Eligible List: The names of all applicants who filed a properly completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a Public Information Officer. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for three months or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted, informing them that the list has been posted and their rank on the list.Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin. Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of our workforce.To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application (https://www.ramseycounty.us/sites/default/files/Departments/Human%20Resources%20Dept/RAMSEY%20COUNTY%20EMPLOYMENT%20APPLICATION.pdf) . You will need to print this posting and answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.For further information regarding this posting, please contact [email protected].