THE POSITIONThe Ventura County Health Care Agency seeks a poised, articulate, bilingual professional with outstanding communication skills to act as the agency public information officer. The ideal candidate will be able to speak, act, and respond in situations with various audiences including elected officials, community groups, and individuals. They must have a positive attitude, strong interpersonal skills, work effectively in a team and fast-paced environment, show initiative and adapt well to change; as well as be organized and detail oriented.
Under general direction, this class is responsible for managing the flow of department information internally and externally and for establishing public relations standards, goals, priorities, operational plans, policies and procedures. The incumbent will plan, coordinate and organize the Health Care Agency's communications with the public and media and implement special events and community outreach and education programs and perform related duties as required.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:- Some experience developing and editing brochures, newsletters, promotional materials for internal and external publications.
- Some experience writing news releases, press releases.
- Some experience creating and managing content for a variety of social media platforms.
- Excellent written communication skills must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:- Oversees the public information and community outreach and education programs for the Health Care Agency; aligns program goals and priorities with the Agency mission and strategic plan; coordinates with the County Public Information Officer as appropriate;
- Provides oversight of the agency's website development, social media management, and marketing;
- Handles high profile incidents and exercises a high level of independent judgment and discretion in advising executive management on public and community relations matters. Addresses the media, community groups, and general public on behalf of the Agency regarding activities and programs;
- Oversees the preparation and release of Agency information to the media, including newspaper, television, radio and other media outlets;
- Plans, organizes and oversees all major Agency events; administers public relations programs that promote the department's standing in the community; participates in budget administration for related programs;
- Supervises the work of assigned staff. Evaluates work performance, prepares and signs performance evaluations. Participates in personnel decisions including hiring and disciplinary actions, assists in resolving employee grievances, and approves leave requests. May provide second-level supervision;
- Plans, organizes, schedules, assigns and reviews work; establishes priorities, deadlines, and work standard;
- Develops and implements policies and procedures pertaining to public relations activities within the Agency. Provides training to department staff in media relations;
- Prepares a variety of correspondence and reports;
- Develops and produces promotional and educational materials as needed;
- Makes speeches and presentations to community groups; represents the Agency at meetings and functions; and
- Performs other related duties as required.
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCEExtensive experience in communications management in the public sector or similar environment which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
An example of a qualifying education and experience is:
- Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Business/Public Administration, Marketing, Public Relations, Mass Communications, or other related field AND
- Agency Public Information Officer I: Two (2) years of recent, paid, and progressively responsible professional experience in journalism, public relations, or the media managing the communication and information for a public or private sector organization.
- Agency Public Information Officer II: Two (2) years of recent, paid, and progressively responsible experience serving as a public information officer in the public sector or similar environment equivalent to that of an Agency Public Information Officer I.
- Agency Public Information Officer III: At least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in an organization with primary responsibility for organizing, coordinating, and overseeing outreach projects and programs to provide the public with the information to promote an organization's events and activities.
DESIRED- Bilingual (English/Spanish) or Trilingual (English/Spanish/Mixteco)
- Experience working with governmental bodies, special districts, and/or non-profit organizations
- Experience with the design and production of communication materials
APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the examination process.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
