Public Information Officer (Information & Communication Specialist III)
Public Information Officer (Information & Communication Specialist III)
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$ 62541 - 99848
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Join our team. Buncombe Countys Communications & Public Engagement team is looking for a dynamic Public Information Officer to help inform empower and connect our community to the information they need. In this role youll craft clear compelling messages manage media relations public records requests and support strategic outreach across all of our platforms.
Our team is divided into two portfolios and this position will serve our general government services. Your focus will be Elections Property Assessment Tax Collections Libraries Planning & Development the Governing Body and general administrative functions from Human Resources to Finance & Budget. We communicate through an inside-out style empowering our employees with the knowledge to be Buncombe ambassadors in addition to building on traditional grassroots community engagement-style relationship building. This position is considered essential personnel with on-call responsibilities and FEMA PIO training is a plus.
If youre passionate about public service storytelling and building trust through transparency wed love to hear from you!
Bilingual is preferred
Purpose of the position:
The primary purpose of this position is to perform professional public relations and communications work within the community and across the organization to ensure an integrated message that supports and reflects the mission and vision of the Agency.
Minimum Education Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire): Bachelors degree in English Journalism Communications or closely related field and a minimum of four (4) years of experience in communications public relations or publicity work; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Essential Functions of the position:
- Participate in media contact as a 24/7 liaison in situations that require rapid response.
- Assist with training personnel in proper media relation techniques that comply with policies and procedures.
- Develop effective internal and external messaging and communication materials that are consistent branded and targeted to the appropriate audience.
- Write and edit news and informational communication materials; prepare and disseminate news releases and feature stories through various public information media outlets.
- Perform public relations activities that involve developing relationships and coordinating activities with County staff other agencies divisions and private organizations.
- Assist in responding to public records requests and may serve as agency spokesperson representing the County or specific department at community public and private meetings or events.
- Create content for a variety of internal and external communication channels including social media mass notification systems web email print TV video and presentations.
- Develop and produce web-based communications for the internal County Intranet and on the County website keeping content up-to-date interesting and interactive; and ensure all content meets brand specifications and design standards.
- Develop crisis and emergency communication messaging and related response plans and procedures as needed.
- Attend events and meetings to ensure effective message dissemination and to support community engagement efforts.
- Conduct ongoing reviews and updates of communications materials to ensure information is current and meets the needs of the county clients and general public.
- Responsible for researching analyzing and compiling various data to support community communications.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
- Knowledge of journalistic communication and/or publication principles and practices.
- Knowledge of the techniques for disseminating information to the public through a variety of news media.
- Knowledge of web development video development and editing and print and graphic layout with an ability to utilize programs such as photoshop and editing features as well as film and video.
- Knowledge and competence of all aspects of Microsoft Office and programs such as Power Point Publisher Excel Word Photoshop SharePoint etc.
- Knowledge of the methods of planning writing and editing publications.
- Knowledge of the principles and methods of planning an agency public information Program.
- Ability to write according to correct English usage and accepted standards and magazine and press publications with an eye to graphic layout and design.
- Ability to edit and analyze information materials prepared by others.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of vendors and other persons contacted in the course of work.
- Ability to take prompt and effective action during emergencies.
In order to uphold internal pay parity and equity salaries are non-negotiable for new and current Buncombe County employees. All new employees are paid according to their years of relevant education and experience above minimum requirements for the position and employees have the opportunity to obtain pay increases via cost of living increases and promotions.
Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture one that fully engages all of our employees honoring and building on each employees unique experiences opinions and perspective.
It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race natural hair or hairstyles ethnicity creed color sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression national origin or ancestry marital or familial status pregnancy veteran status religious belief or non-belief age or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment hiring assignment promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
