Public Information Officer

Public Information Officer

Job ID: 107004
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary:Regular

CLACKAMAS COUNTY CORE VALUES



Clackamas County employees work to serve the public and enrich our community. In that spirit, we pledge to hold ourselves to these standards at all times in our interactions with customers and one another:

Service Professionalism Integrity Respect Individual accountability Trust

By incorporating these values into our daily routines, we can better serve our customers, ourselves and our projects. We're always looking to improve. That's the Clackamas County SPIRIT. Clackamas County Core Values

Clackamas County is committed to building a community where people thrive, have a sense of safety, connection, and belonging, so that everyone is honored and celebrated for the richness in diversity they bring. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and lived experience to apply.



CLOSE DATE

This position will remain open until filled. The first application review will be Monday, May 15, 2023. We reserve the right to close this recruitment at any time on or after that date.


PAY AND BENEFITS

Annual Pay Range: $85,683.13 - $115,672.20

Hourly Pay Range: $41.193813 - $55.611634

Salary offers will be made within the posted pay range and will be based on a candidate's experience (paid or unpaid) that is directly relevant to the position.

Clackamas County proudly offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including competitive wages, cost-of-living adjustments, merit increases (for eligible employees), and a robust sick and vacation plan for regular status employees.

We encourage and support employee health and wellness by offering, health and wellness classes and events, and alternative care benefits, so you can customize your wellness needs to fit your lifestyle. Employee benefits become effective the first of the month following an employee's date of hire.

Attractive benefits package and incentives for employees in regular status positions include:

Generous paid time off package, including:

• 16 hours of vacation accrual per month
• 8 hours of sick accrual per month
• 10 paid holidays and 1 personal day per year

Other Benefits:

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP):
  • Employer-paid 6% PERS retirement contribution (The county currently pays the employee's share of the retirement contribution.)
• A Choice of Medical Plans that include chiropractic coverage, alternative care, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• A Choice of Dental Plans
• Robust EAP and wellness programs, including gym discounts and wellness education classes
• Longevity pay
• Other retirement Savings Options that allow for additional retirement funds savings, including an option to contribute a portion of employee earnings on a pre or post-tax basis to a 457b Deferred Compensation Plan
• A variety of additional optional benefits (see links below for additional information)

This is a full time non-represented group 2 County position

Non-Represented Group 2 Full Time Benefits

Learn More About Benefits


JOB DETAILS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Clackamas County's Department of Public and Government Affairs (PGA) is seeking an experienced, highly-skilled, dynamic, and creative public relations professional to serve as our Public Information Officer (PIO). The selected candidate will be responsible for serving as spokesperson for the county, with responsibility daily for coordinating, developing, and evaluating content to share with a broad range of audiences using diverse, modern platforms.

The Public Information Officer is a highly visible position responsible for public and media information and communications to increase awareness, understanding and involvement in county programs, activities, opportunities and resources. The PIO writes, edits, and/or disseminates all county media materials, including press releases and supporting materials. The Public Information Officer participates as a team member in originating communication ideas based on the needs of the public, Board of County Commissioners, County Administrator and employees, and serves as the initial resource to the public in contacting the county and its departments. The Public Information Officer also monitors Board of County Commissioner meetings, identifies pressing topics in need of Public and Government Affairs Department support, and is available 24/7 monitoring media requests.

This position serves a key role in the county in coordinating and directing communication plans and public information methods for various county departments. This will require a candidate with proven knowledge of effective business communications, industry trends and media practices as they apply to carrying out public information and public affairs programs. The PIO is responsible for news conferences, briefings, community events, and media interviews, including on-camera interviews. The incumbent must be able to develop and maintain relationships with media, stakeholders, and diverse communities to connect the people of Clackamas County and to create original and compelling content to further tell the county's story through the use of traditional media, social media, and web-based methods of communication and engagement.

The mission of PGA is to provide public engagement, intergovernmental and legislative relations, and consultation and communication services to the public, the Board of County Commissioners and all departments so they can build connections and trust between people and their government.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate for this position will demonstrate a passion for effective communications, public involvement, business and/or media relations with a history of excellent judgment under pressure. We are looking for someone who can successfully present the county's message in front of a diverse array of audiences and is able to employ crisis and risk management communication techniques and best practices. The ideal candidate will be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of management and staff, elected officials, and the community to best represent Clackamas County.

Candidates should possess solid knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration, including the maintenance of public records and media news releases. This position also requires familiarity and experience with community involvement and the ability to establish cooperative working relationships and participative processes with community organizations and county residents. The responsibilities of this position will demand someone with sophisticated knowledge of public and media relations, marketing, advertising and public administration related to intergovernmental relations, strategic planning and project management.

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• A minimum of six (6) years of increasing responsibility in leadership positions involving communications and/or business and media relations department or program
• Experience developing strategic communications plans, key messages and strategies
• Strong working knowledge of media, social media and web based methods of communication and engagement
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, and patience
• Familiarity with a broad range of federal, state, and local government operating methods and procedures
• Ability to travel long distances that may include overnight travel
• Must be available for 24-hour on-call response to perform incident management functions and related duties during an emergency
• Driving is required for County business on a regular basis or to accomplish work. Incumbents must possess a valid driver's license, and possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the County's driving policy

Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• Experience working with and on behalf of elected officialsExperience working in a unionized environment, including knowledge of labor relations procedures and collective bargaining practices
• Experience developing or refining strategic plans, developing and refining performance measures, and collecting and analyzing performance data
• Experience in equity, diversity and inclusion best practices
• Experience with engaging the public/public involvement programs
• Ability to speak and write in Spanish

*For Veterans qualified for Veteran's Preference: If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.


TYPICAL TASKS

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

1. Establish and maintain positive relations with media by providing accurate and timely information about the County; monitor and report on media stories involving the County; provide public and media relations counsel and advice to County staff; educate and assist County personnel in working effectively with the media.
2. Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with County departments and divisions, and/or other jurisdictions related to media issues; consult with County departments and divisions in the development of new communications and outreach activities; assist departments or divisions in development of marketing programs; provide advice on messaging of County projects in order to align department goals and objectives with countywide standards.
3. Attend Board of County Commissioners meetings and track Board's strategic priorities and initiatives; identify pressing topics in need of Public and Government Affairs Department support; provide oversight of messaging for cross-departmental initiatives
4. Prepare and distribute informational materials such as media releases, fact sheets, annual reports, speeches, or public service announcements; review, coordinate and disseminate internal and/or external County communications.
5. Act as public information officer for the County during internal and/or external emergency and non-emergency situations; participates as a member of the Situation Assessment Team and works with the Emergency Operations Center during times of crisis; oversee use of the emergency information hotline, participate in regional emergency preparedness awareness efforts.
6. Act as spokesperson and/or representative of the County and department at conferences and meetings.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Thorough knowledge of: Principles and practices of public administration, including public policy decision-making processes; principles and techniques of public relations; methods and techniques of broadcast and print media; English grammar and composition. Working knowledge of: Organization and operation of County and other levels of government; community organizations and service providers involved in the delivery of public service programs; business management; principles of local government processes; standard office equipment, including computer systems and software programs such as word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, and internet applications.

Skill to: Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; prepare and deliver written and oral presentations to individuals, small groups and large audiences; identify and respond to politically sensitive issues; analyze and evaluate public relations issues; generate positive and fair media coverage of County issues even during incidents of negative exposure; promote and maintain effective relationships with the public, the media, community and business leaders, and public officials; work effectively with County personnel and other jurisdictions to develop strategies to deal with changing informational needs and desires of the community and media; design and write promotional and informational materials; develop effective informational campaigns for a host of issues; effectively develop and utilize program and community resources; collect, evaluate and analyze data; translate technical material into commonly understood language; analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of County goals; operate computers systems, software programs and video production equipment.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Must be available for 24-hour on-call response to perform incident management functions and related duties during an emergency.


WORK SCHEDULE

This position is included in the County's alternate workweek program, working 40 hours during a standard workweek of Monday through Thursday and a flexible schedule on Fridays. Occasional evening hours will be required for advisory board and/or task force meetings, as well as occasional weekend hours for special projects or events. Available 24/7 monitoring media requests. Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended. This position is eligible for full telework subject to the Clackamas County Teleworking Policy and based on the Department's business needs. Telework locations cannot be located outside of Oregon or Washington. Washington residents must perform 50% of their time on-site at Clackamas County.


EXPLORE CLACKAMAS COUNTY

Clackamas County is in a prime location in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area and is recognized nationally as one of the most livable areas in the United States. Located on the southern edge of the City of Portland and extending to the top of Mt. Hood, Clackamas County is part of a thriving region in the Northwest. It has a population of about 420,000 residents..

• Explore Clackamas County
• Working for Clackamas County
• Recreation, Arts & Heritage
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The mission of the Department of Public & Government Affairs (PGA) is to promote communication, cooperation and strong connections between County government and its residents, the business community and other government agencies to provide information to respond to key issues and increase awareness of opportunities and resources.

We are the communications team that provides strategic messaging, community involvement and informative content to the public, the Board of Commissioners and all the departments that serve Clackamas County.

Our goal is to help connect the community with the services, programs and opportunities the county provides. We manage the county's communication channels, including a print magazine, monthly digital newsletter, social media, and the YouTube channel, #ClackCo TV.

Learn more about the Clackamas County PGA Department


APPLICATION PROCESS

Clackamas County only accepts online applications.

Help With Your Application:

• Application Process
• Help with the Application

If you have any questions or issues you may contact the Department of Human Resources at 503-655-8459 or e-mail us. Our office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (closed on Fridays).

HOW TO CLAIM VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

• Request Veterans' Preference
• Learn more about the County's Veterans' Preference

VISA SPONSORSHIP

Clackamas County does not offer visa sponsorships. Once a job applicant has accepted a position, they will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States prior to their first day.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Clackamas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the Department of Human Resources prior to the recruitment close date. You may request an accommodation during the online application process.




To apply, visit https://hrapp.clackamas.us/psc/recruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&JobOpeningId=107004&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=1&languageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant



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