Public Information Officer (Communication Specialist III)
Salary Range:$83,960.00 - $125,939.00
This is anexempt (salaried) position. Please note: pay rates are based on education,skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerationsinclude an assessment of the applicant's salary history and qualifications incomparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.
The PublicInformation Department is an internal department of Mecklenburg County thatprovides the public, media, and County employees with up-to-the-minute Countynews and information. Public Information includes divisions in SocialMedia, Web Services, Marketing and Branding and Production Services.Weare looking for a self-starter whocan thrivein a team environment.
PositionSummary
TheCommunication Specialist III position, is a lead position with the highestlevel of knowledge in information, planning, preparing, and deploying a publicinformation tactics, initiatives or programs for the County and will serve asofficial point of contact and/or spokesperson for a department or function.
EssentialFunctions
• Plan,coordinate, and execute specialized public information and/or education tacticsto inform the public of the County's programs and services.
• Plan, coordinate, and deploy emergency communications inpartnership with Emergency Management teams with potentially immediate deadlineneeds.
• Establish,maintain and collaborate regular contacts with the media, community groups, andgovernment/private representatives to meet the organization's public information, awareness, and education needs.
• Performpublic speaking engagements as needed; write scripts and use various forms ofpresentations; coordinate activities with audio and visual specialists, graphic artists, or other related staff.
• Providewriting support to the organization; coordinate and edit the organization'snewsletter as needed.
• Research,analyze and assist in the development of best practice communications andoutreach plans and strategies including efforts dealing with complex, emergency and/or sensitive issues; identify communication needs; research communicationtechnologies and engagement tools; and recommend promotional campaigns and communications initiatives.
• Design,prepare, edit and/or coordinate the distribution of news releases, scripts,bulletins, bill inserts, articles, publications, website/web content, videocontent, graphic material, creative concepts, and/or information to mediachannels; coordinate news or information-gathering interviews; may serve asofficial department spokesperson and representative.
• Receivepublic information requests, customer inquiries and complaints; respond and/ordetermine appropriate resource and coordinate response; provide recommendations and implement solutions to customer concerns.
• Coordinateresources and logistics in support of event communications and specialprojects; attend events and coordinate project-related activities.
• Develop anddetermine effectiveness of distribution and outreach media plan; makerecommendations for modifications as required.
• Serve in an on-camera role as needed to convey County messaging tothe community and our media partners.
• Ability to speak Spanish and translate news releases and othertactics into Spanish is preferred.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience:
Minimum of six years of public relations, communications, orrelated experience.
Education:
Bachelor'sDegree in Communications, Public Relations, or directlyrelated field.
Combinationof relevant education and relevant experience accepted?: Yes
Licenses andCertifications
• Spanish-Language Certification preferred
• Requires avalid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License
• RequiresCounty Driving Privileges
• AnnualMotor Vehicle Record (MVR) check required
Knowledge,Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of• Practicesand guidelines of news writing and editing.
• Principlesand applications of critical thinking and analysis.
• Principlesand methods of qualitative and quantitative research.
• Practices, concepts and methods of graphic design and printproduction.
• Businessmath concepts and understandingof data,anddata trends.
• Bestpractices, trends and emerging technologies in communications.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations (based on assignment).
• Specializedequipment relevant to areas of assignment.
Skills
• Planning,preparing, designing and editing communications materials.
• Gatheringdata, analyzing findings and applying logic and reason.
• Coordinating deadlines and prioritizing competing demands.
• Monitoringschedules, status and compliance.
• Researchingindustry trends, solutions and best practices.
• Compilingand sorting data and articulating issues and recommendations.
• Authoringand preparing original reports, documents and presentations.
• Organizingand maintaining records and files.
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, codes, regulations and standards(based on assignment).
• Providingcustomer service.
• Utilizing acomputer and relevant software applications.
• Utilizingcommunication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction withcoworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchangeor convey information and to receive work direction.
Abilities
• Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in workresponsibilities or environment; adjusting effectively to work within new workstructures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
• BuildingTrust: Interacting with others in a way that instills confidence in one'sintentions and those of the organization.
• Collaboration: Working effectively and cooperatively with others; establishingand maintaining good working relationships.
• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety ofmedia to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helpsthem understand and retain the information provided.
• FormalPresentations: presenting ideas effectively to individuals or groups;delivering presentations suited to the characteristics and needs of theaudience.
• GainingCommitment: Using appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gainacceptance of ideas or plans; modifying one's own behavior to accommodatetasks, situations, and individuals involved.
• Impact:Creating a good first impression; commanding attention and respect; displayingconfidence.
• Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills: Having achieved a satisfactorylevel of technical and professional skill or knowledge in position-relatedareas; keeping up with current developments and trends in areas of expertise.
ComputerSkills
• Advanced invarious computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite.
ReasonableAccommodations Statement
To accomplishthis job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or withoutreasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonableaccommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals withdisabilities to perform the essential functions.
DisclaimerStatement
This is notintended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties,skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned basedon business need and the supervisor's request. Mecklenburg County reserves theright to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may berequired to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.
