Public Information Officer II
Public Information Officer II
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Job Description
About the Position
The anticipated salary range for this position is$81122 $116903. WHO WE ARE
Montgomery County islocatedadjacent toWashington D.C. and with over one million residentsitis the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery Countycontainsmany major U.S. government offices scientific research and learning centers and business campuses.
TheDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDHHS)is responsible forthedelivery of the Countys public health and human services that meet the needs of our communitys most vulnerable childrenadultsand seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2000 employees the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.
Collectively we believethat thehealth and wellness of theCounty can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing transportation education employment health care human services safe neighborhoods and healthy food.DHHS provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential.DHHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
TheDepartment of Health and Human Servicesseeksan experiencedprofessional to serve asitsPublic Information Officer. Thispositionwillmanageinternal and external communicationson behalfofthe Department.Successful coordination withmedia outletsstakeholders colleaguesandcounty departments willbe;ensuring thataccurateandtimelyinformation is consistently disseminated. The ideal candidate will take ownership of their work and can seamlessly transition from selfdirected initiatives to collaborating on team projects. Recruitment ofa candidatewith adeepinterest in public health/social servicesis sought.
What Youll Be Doing
ThePublic Information Officera memberoftheDHHS Senior Leadership Teamserves as thecentral pointof contactfor internal and external communications; ensuring thattimelyandaccurateinformationisdisseminatedon behalf of the Department.
Communications
Serve as media relations point of contact for all DHHS programs and relatedissues (public health emergenciesand special initiativessuch asthe Departments response to the ongoingopioid epidemic effortsregardingyouth safety or DHHSsponsored townhalls/community conversations).
Develop and prepare informational and promotional materials focused on the programs and services that DHHS provides to residents.
Consult with program stafftoproduce print and electronic materialsincluding theidentificationand selection ofpertinentinformation);researchingdraftingand editing materialsfor dissemination; servingasaliaison with graphicdesignerswebsite developers and other communications professionals.
Social mediaresponsibilitiesinclude but not limited to the following: 1monitoringmoderatingand responding to comments;2management ofsocial media partnerships with other Countydepartments andagencies; and3 thecreation promotion andleveragingof social media content.
Work closely with the Countys Officeof Public Information.
Media Relations
Serve as the media spokesperson for the Department.
Promote story ideas to local and national media develop andmaintainrelationships with local media outlets train departmental staff on interacting with the mediaconnect media outlets toappropriate staffand manage the media contacts.
Develop talking points quotes and other responses for staff responding to the media. Develop talkingpointsand/orspeeches for department representatives attending County and other press events.
Work closely with the CountysOfficeofPublic Information on requests for information and forassistanceinthe distribution of press releases media advisories and media statements.
Planning and strategic communications
As a member of the DepartmentsSeniorLeadershipTeam continually work to develop strategic initiatives to respond to the needs of the community.
Design and implement effective communication and public relations messages that articulate theCounty Executivesand DHHS vision mission and strategic goals for helping residents be healthy safe and selfsufficient.
Website Management
Manages and guides the departmental websiteas well as web pages devoted to special initiatives.
Post and update messages on the department website and accompanying web pages. Direct redesign of departmental website.
Work daily with web designer and serve as liaison with program staff.
Provide content for web pages and ensure website content is up to date and userfriendly.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience:Three 3 years of professional experience in journalism public relations orcommunications.
Education:Graduation from an accredited college or university with aBachelorsdegree in Journalism Communications PublicRelationsorMedia Studies.
Equivalency:An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Preferred Criteria Interview Preferences
Preferred Criteria Do youpossessthree 3 or more years managing social media accounts for a department or company
Have you developed and implemented communications campaigns
Interview PreferencePublic sector media and public relations experience.
Experience overseeing website development and management.
Experience working in public health and/or public human services.
Professionalexperiencecommunicating inEnglish and Spanish(written and verbalfluency.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.
Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly as it relates to employment opportunities the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.
MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference refer to the Careers webpage onHiring Preference.
All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education relevant experience knowledge skills and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicants responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a Lateral Transfer candidate and may be considered for an interview.
This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.
If selected for consideration for this position you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge skills and abilities indicated on your resume.
Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation the Countys Public Employees (which does not include employees of the Sheriffs office) are subject to the Countys ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employmentand the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at19A12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from theEthics Commissionwebsite.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
