Salary : $95,472.40 - $117,419.01 Annually
Location : Madera County, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Sheriff-Coroner
Division: Sheriff's Administration
Opening Date: 08/12/2025
Closing Date: 9/3/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: UNREP

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of public relations and information for the Sheriff's Office. The Director of Public Safety Communications performs a variety of duties related to the dissemination of information to promote the understanding of Madera County Sheriff's Office programs, services, activities, regulations, objectives and administrative proceedings to a wide variety of audiences, including the general public, communications and media representatives, community and civic groups, public agencies, and private organizations, and performs other related duties as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the Sheriff or their designee. May exercise direct supervision of assigned staff, including supervisory, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.
Examples of Duties

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The job functions listed below are not inclusive or exclusive and are intended only as illustrations or examples of the various types of work that may be performed. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.

• Writes, plans, organizes, and coordinates the dissemination of information to the general public, communications media, public and private sector officials, industry and businesses
• Directs activities associated with the release of information to the communications media by providing information and presenting the County's position in order to obtain support and promote community relations
• Develops guidelines, regulations, and operations manuals and ensures the dissemination of readily understandable pamphlets, brochures, articles, fact sheets, bulletins, photographs, video/film materials, graphics, websites, and other informational material related to assigned programs, activities, regulations, and administrative proceedings to non-technical users
• Initiates evacuation warnings, shelter-in-place orders, AMBER/Silver alerts, and hazardous-material notices through various notification systems and sites
• Serves on the Incident Command Staff of every wildfire, flood, missing-person search, high-risk warrant, mass-casualty event, or civil-unrest incident
• Issues or withholds details involving criminal investigations, juvenile records, victim privacy, officer-involved shootings, and tactical operations
• Manages daily media inquiries, Public Records Act (PRA) requests, policy-transparency portals, and rapid rumor control across all major social-media platforms
• Analyzes and evaluates the public's interest and extent of understanding of County programs and services
• Reviews legislative bills for news value and to bring to the attention of concerned departmental personnel
• Composes material to be presented before legislative bodies for the purpose of obtaining assistance for County programs or legislation
• Prepares speeches, scripts, and other informational material for public information purposes
• Develops and implements policies and procedures that enhance the County's community, legislative, communications media, public outreach, industry and business programs
• Prepares correspondence in reply to inquiries, general complaints, and suggestions relative to the County's programs, activities and administrative procedures
• Prepares program specific reports, newsletters, studies, and other informational documents, and oversees the maintenance of records and press clippings
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with representatives of the media and identifies opportunities to strengthen and improve communications

OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES

• Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and techniques of mass and targeted communications practices, public speaking, and journalism
• Principles, techniques, and methods to plan, develop, and coordinate a local government public relations/education and media liaison program
• Relationship of federal and state programs with local government programs
• County government programs, services, activities, regulations, and administrative proceedings
• Principles, techniques, and methods to plan, develop, and represent a public agency before the general public and officials of public/private organizations
• Techniques involved in preparing press releases
• Techniques of preparation and methods of dissemination of informational materials targeted to a wide variety of internal and external audiences
• Requirements and techniques utilized in the dissemination of information during emergency situations
• Writing, editing, publishing and media productions procedures
• Principles, practices, and methods of social media
• Graphic display techniques and the styles and techniques used in developing and producing audiovisual, radio, television, cable TV, and website presentations
• Emerging communication technologies
• Principles and techniques of establishing and maintaining good public relations
• Regional and local media outlets
• Safe driving principles and practices
• Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work being performed
• Local geography, County streets, public buildings, and businesses
• Principles and practices of sound business communication including proper English usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• General office software programs as well as publishing software programs
• Principles of supervision and training
• Basic principles and practices of organizational improvement and culture change

Skill to:

• Use sound judgement and make appropriate decisions in stressful situations and analyze and adapt to new situations quickly
• Operate modern office equipment, including computer equipment
• Operate a motor vehicle safely

Ability to:

• Develop, implement, and coordinate an effective and responsible local government public relations and media liaison program
• Plan, collect, organize, synthesize, and evaluate data and information from a variety of sources
• Demonstrate resourcefulness in gathering, preparing, and disseminating information
• Respond to the press and the public during emergency situations
• Assess political environments and develop appropriate communication strategies
• Assist members of the Board of Supervisors and the County Administrative Officer to formulate responses to complaints from concerned citizens and employees
• Read, understand and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations
• Make effective individual and group presentations
• Understand and effectively communicate County regulations and procedures in an understandable format
• Prepare a variety of written analyses, evaluation summaries, recommendations, speeches, scripts, correspondence, and reports
• Communicate tactfully, respectfully, and effectively with board members, administrators, staff, and the public, both orally and in writing, in a manner consistent with the department's policing and customer service policies
• Use tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues, situations and concerned people
• Effectively and persuasively interact with various media organizations, community groups and outside agencies
• Provide lead supervision and training to assigned staff
• Speak in public and before a wide diversity of groups
• Write, edit, and direct the preparation of publications
• Adhere to deadlines and short time constraints
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Work nights, weekends and holidays
• Effectively engage and support historically minoritized groups by addressing issues of equity and improving culturally responsive service-oriented practices
• Develop and maintain an inclusive work environment that fosters diversity, respect, and engagement
• Act quickly and calmly in emergencies

Education and Experience:

Any combination equivalent to experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be:

1. Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in journalism, communications, media, English, or a closely related field; and

Two (2) years of public relations and/or communications media experience including the writing, editing, producing and/or placing of news and
feature articles for the various communications media.

Professional experience in a closely related field may be substituted for the education on a year for year basis.

Licenses and Special Conditions:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain by date of appointment, a valid California Driver's license.
• Successful completion of a comprehensive background investigation is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.

ENRIVONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees predominately work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, and road hazards. Employees may interact with members of the public or with staff under emotionally stressful conditions.
Application Process
The application review process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to complete the Supplemental Questions to further evaluate their education, training and experience relative to the required knowledge, skills and abilities for the position. Applicants must submit answers that are as complete as possible.

Only the most qualified applicants who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the examination process which may be administered by a written examination, oral interview, or any combination of qualifications appraisal determined by the Department of Human Resources to be appropriate. The Department of Human Resources will make reasonable accommodation in the examination process for disabled applicants. If you have an accommodation request, please indicate such on your application.

Depending upon the number of applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants may be scheduled for one or more assessments listed below. Of those passing the initial assessment, only the top 15 will move forward to the appraisal panel. Passing score is 70% out of 100% on each assessment section. If only one assessment is conducted, the weight for that assessment will be 100%.

THE APPRAISAL PANEL (100%) IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2025

To move forward in the application process, you must complete an online application through our website All job postings are also included via the TDD phone at 559-675-8970 and the 24-hour job line at 559-675-8685. Please attach a copy of your unofficial transcripts (indicating when degree was awarded), licenses, and certificates to your application or your application may be considered incomplete. Resumes may be uploaded but cannot be used in place of a completed application.

For an open recruitment, applicants claiming veteran's preference must submit a copy of their DD-214 form along with the application. Candidates who attain ranking on an eligible list and are involuntarily called to active duty may be considered for eligibility reinstatement upon their return.

PLACEMENT ON THE ELIGIBLE LIST:
The Civil Service Commission may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the examination process. If two or more candidates have the same total final score on an examination, they shall be ranked in order of their scores in that portion of the examination which has the greatest weight. The names of two or more eligibles having final ratings which are identical shall be grouped on the eligible list as tie names with equal rank for certification and appointment purposes.

Candidates who are successful in all phases of the examination process will be placed on an eligible list, in rank order based on a calculation of their total score from the examination process. The eligible list established by this recruitment will be active for a minimum of six (6) months or one (1) year, unless otherwise determined by the Director pursuant to section 6-4 (b) and may be extended for up to an additional year by the Commission.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:
As a condition of employment with the County of Madera, a candidate must submit to a Tuberculosis (TB) screening, and related follow up testing as necessary. Designated classifications* are also subject to a medical examination, which includes a review of medical history. TB screenings and medical exams are administered by the Madera County Public Health Department and/or health care professional designated by the County.

Designated classifications required to submit to an employment medical examination generally include those that are physical in nature or as may be required by law. If you have any questions about the pre-employment requirements, please contact the Department of Human Resources at (559) 675-7705 or

ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT:
You will be required to submit verification of your identity and citizenship or legal right to work in the United States at the time of and as a condition of an offer of employment.

As a condition of employment, all prospective employees shall be required to be fingerprinted.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Madera County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, political affiliation, or any other basis protected by Federal or State law.
Benefits of employment with the County of Madera include:

• 14 paid holidays per year;
• 1 sick leave day per month (unlimited accrual);
• 2 weeks paid vacation after 1 year, vacation accrual increasing thereafter with years of service (45 days maximum accrual);
• Membership in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), with an enhanced 2.7% @ 55 retirement benefit formula (based on the highest 12 months with the employee paying 8% toward the retirement cost) for those individuals with current or prior qualifying public sector service that establishes eligibility as a "classic member" pursuant to the provisions of California's 2013 Pension Reform Act (Act) and CalPERS Regulations. Individuals with no current or prior qualifying public sector service, and who are defined as new members or new employees under the Act, will be eligible for the 2% @ 62 retirement benefit formula (based on the average compensation over 36 consecutive months with the employee paying 7.75% toward the retirement cost);
• County participates in the Public Employees' Retirement System Health Benefit Program and for certain selected health plans, the County pays 95% of health insurance premium for employee and 50% for either two-party or dependent coverage;
• Additional salary increases after 10, 15, and 20 years of service.

01

Please select the level of education you possess which includes major course work in journalism, communications, media, English, or a closely related field:

• Formal or informal education equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
• Associate's degree.
• Bachelor's degree or higher.

02

Please select the years of experience you possess in public relations and/or communications media experience including the writing, editing, producing and/or placing of news and feature articles for the various communications media:

• Less than two (2) years experience.
• Two (2) to less than four (4) years' experience.
• Four (4) to less than six (6) years' experience.
• Six (6) or more years' experience.

03

I understand that if selected, successful completion of a comprehensive background investigation is required.

• Yes, I understand.

04

I understand that I must indicate the specific time period and distinct job title in the applications work experience section. I understand that I am required to describe, in detail, my qualifying experience on my application.

• Yes, I understand.

Required Question