Department Public Information Officer II - Social Services - County of Riverside
Riverside, CA 92501
About the Job
The County of Riverside, Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) seeks a highly qualified Department Public Information Officer II (PIO) for their Community and Government Relations unit.
The Department PIO II will direct and maintain a public information program for DPSS, including communications, marketing, internet presence, and public affairs. This position is further characterized by the high-level of independent judgement and discretion in advising management on public relations matters, and providing professional media and communication strategies in support of public relations events, projects, and programs to enhance public awareness of departmental operations and services. This position will supervise the Community and Government Relations team and lead the development of public facing and intra-departmental communications, external and intranet websites, marketing campaigns, and projects supporting department's strategic priorities.
Competitive candidates will have experience in public relations, marketing, social media, and excellent written and verbal communication.
This class has been designated At-Will by the Board of Supervisors, in accordance with the provisions provided under Article 6, Section 601E (8) of the County Management Resolution and serves at the pleasure of the Agency/Department Head.
This class has been deemed eligible for the Performance Recognition Plan as set forth under Article 3, Section 311 of the County Management Resolution. Program eligibility requires employees to be in a leadership position, manage other employees or programs, and have significant influence on the achievement of organizational objectives.
Meet the Team!
The County of Riverside Department of Public Social Services is comprised of employees who work collectively and in partnership with community-based organizations to serve the needs of the community. Can you see yourself here?
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Manage the department's public information program, which serves as the primary point of contact for media requests for information.
• Plan, direct and oversee the activities of the public relations staff engaged in the production, development, publication, and broadcast of information of department policies, services and activities to the public and the community.
• Oversee, design and coordinate the preparation of effective and timely news releases, newsletters and other informational and promotional material concerning departmental activities related to interaction with the media.
• Lead and supervise the Community and Government Relations team in the development of public facing and internal communications, intranet websites, website analytics, forms design, graphics design, marketing campaigns, supporting initiatives for departmental strategic priorities and annual reports.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of the department's internet presence to effectively communicate services, image and identity.
• Serve as the liaison between departmental executive management and the Board of Supervisors, various public and private agencies, community organizations and customers, the Executive Office, and various County departments for the investigation and response to public relations and media related issues, inquiries and complaints of a sensitive or controversial nature having potential for media coverage and community concern.
• Serve as part of the department's executive management team to set strategic direction for public affairs and relations initiatives, formulate, develop and implement public relations, media communications and community outreach strategies, initiatives, objectives, and policies; maintain a proactive relationship with the Board of Supervisors, public and private entities, communications media, and provide a positive department image through the internet to enhance the department's service image.
• Conduct administrative studies of the effectiveness of departmental public affairs and relations initiatives and recommend new and revised policies, procedures and systems designed to improve effectiveness of services and reduce administrative costs in the areas of community coordination, customer relations, and marketing strategies.
• Facilitate and ensure the timely, coordinated response on all assignments initiated by the Department Head, including outside requests for information, requests from the Board of Supervisors, communications media, other County departments, and administrative communication with other government agencies.
• Develop and maintain liaisons with representatives from other governmental jurisdictions, community entities, stakeholders, and public agencies to promote positive communications and public image.
• Direct the preparation of written responses to inquiries, complaints and suggestions relative to sensitive or controversial departmental programs incorporating the official management position and factual information obtained from knowledgeable administrative and technical personnel.
• Formulate policies and procedures related to the department's public information programs; plan and administer communication activities by developing and maintaining a proactive communications program with the public, communications media and through the internet to enhance the department's service image.
• Schedule press conferences, news releases and public service announcements.
• Direct the development and implementation of the most effective and appropriate methods for communicating information to the public and stakeholders, by the use of videos, e-mail, the internet, brochures, news releases, presentations, graphic displays, photos, fact sheets, directories, or other mediums.
• Write speeches and make presentations to the media, community groups and other agency representatives on information regarding Departmental issues, programs and activities.
• Consult with executive management, division managers, County departments, and public and community entities regarding immediate and long-range publicity and public information plans and public service programs; advise executive management in the formulation of immediate and long-range policies and programs.
• Analyze the extent of public understanding of the public education and community outreach programs administered by the department, and determine the need for further public information, community outreach and educational activities.
• Direct and oversee activities of outside consultants in the development and production of community liaison work and special media projects.
• Negotiate partnerships and contractual agreements with private/public entities to implement community and outreach projects.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, English, public relations, public/business administration, or a closely related field. (Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the education on the basis of one year of full-time experience equaling 30 semester or 45 quarter units of education.)
Experience: Five years of professional experience in journalism, media or public relations composing news articles and providing information to the public as an organization's spokesperson.
Knowledge of: Methods of planning, coordinating and implementing an effective public information program; methods and techniques used in planning press conferences; techniques in developing and producing audio-visual presentations; styles and techniques in speech writing.
Ability to: Complete assignments within strict time constraints; evaluate and apply government regulations to program planning; maintain confidentiality of sensitive information; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, public and representatives from outside agencies; coordinate public information and education programs with other jurisdictions; coordinate the activities of audio-visual specialists, graphic artists or other specialists in preparing public information medium; recognize problems and develop effective solutions; act independently in converting complex technical information into a meaningful and applicable format for the targeted audience.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Other Requirements
License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Veterans' Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy. Upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 (or NGB-22) indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. See the policy here ( Download PDF reader ).
What's Next?
This recruitment is open to all applicants. Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the department.
Applicants who are current County of Riverside employees and/or current employees of the Department/Agency may be considered before other applicants depending on the volume of applications received.
Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County.
Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: http://dao.rc-hr.com/ .
Application Period
BASED ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, THIS POSTING MAY CLOSE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Applications received prior to the closing date will be considered based on the information submitted. Changes or alterations cannot be accepted. All applicants must submit a complete application by the close date of the recruitment. No late applications will be permitted.
Include relevant work experience details on resume and/or application.
Proof of Education
Upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account.If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ).
For questions regarding this recruitment
Contact Cameron Hacker at chacker@rivco.org with any questions regarding this recruitment.
MEDICAL/DENTAL INSURANCE: A Flexible Benefit Credit is provided on a monthly basis as governed by the Management Resolution or applicable bargaining unit. Vision coverage is provided through Vision Service Plan (VSP) at no cost to employee or eligible dependents.
Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).
- Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
- Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
- Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. As of July 1, 2020, the employee contribution is 7.25% and subject to change annually.
A new member is defined as any of the following:
CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".
Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.
Note:
This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.
If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.
401(a) MONEY PURCHASE PLAN: County contribution of $50 per pay period towards choice between two 401(a) plan providers.
ANNUAL LEAVE (Bi-Weekly Accrual):
0 < 36 months = 8.92 Hours
36 to <108>108 or more months = 12.00 Hours
Maximum Annual Leave accumulation is 1,800 hours. Employee may receive pay in lieu of up to 80 hours per calendar year. Agency/Department Head may approve an additional 80 hours.
ANNUAL LEAVE for Unrepresented Management Attorneys: Effective July 12, 2012, the specific affected Unrepresented Management Attorney classifications as stated in Article 22 of the Management Resolution will receive an additional 4 hours per pay period to their Annual Leave accrual. This additional leave accrual will expire at the end of the last pay period in June 2014. In addition, the maximum accrual for Annual Leave (or vacation) will be raised by 200 hours for eligible employees only. Maximum Annual Leave accumulation is 2,000 hours.
HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 days can be taken through use of accrued leave balances).
BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.
LONG-TERM DISABILITY (LTD): Benefit pays 66.67% of earnings to a maximum of $10,000 per month; 30-day waiting period; pays to age 65. Benefit can be coordinated with other available leave balances to provide up to 100% of pay.
POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the Management Resolution or applicable bargaining unit.
OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, Management Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.