Public Information Officer

Basic Function

Provide professional public information and public relations for the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Serve as Lead Public Information Officer during emergency events; coordinate and train other employees to fulfill public information needs. Coordinate social media programs and other avenues to disseminate public information. Provide training and resources to staff in areas of public relations. Provide a wide range of complex administrative assistance to the Borough Mayor and executive staff.

This position is required to handle sensitive and confidential communications and documents that pertain to the operation of the Mayor’s office.

14A

Deputy Chief of Staff

None

Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 5:00 PM, occasional hours outside normal work schedule

• 1. Provide public relations support to the Mayor’s Office. Communicate with the media and public regarding Borough issues. Assist departments with creating information pieces about their programs and services.
• 2. Coordinate and develop the Borough’s internal and external strategic communication plans. Integrate the organization’s communication and public relation initiatives into a cohesive effort that conveys a consistent message in support of its mission, strategic goals, and objectives.
• 3. Arrange, organize, and coordinate press conferences and special events hosted by the office of the Borough Mayor.
• 4. Serve as the point of contact and assist with projects related to the Borough Mayor's functions with professional organizations, other governmental agencies, the business community, and within the Borough's departments/divisions.
• 5. Review/update procedures and manage crisis communication during an emergency event to include staffing the public information component as required under the Emergency Operations Plan. Provide or coordinate training for back-up PIO’s. Work with public information officers at other agencies to coordinate information dissemination. Perform work within the National Incident Management System (NIMS) framework, including staffing of joint information centers. Send out external Rave notices.
• 6. Provide complex administrative support to the Borough Mayor. Prepare press releases, special advertisements, public notices, reports, newsletters, slideshows, videos, and other communications. Create information documents such as fliers, mailers, posters, and other graphic materials. Disseminate information to media, legislature, local governments, public agencies, etc.
• 7. Coordinate and organize interdepartmental web teams, monitor webpage and social media programs for the Borough. Review and approve webpage design and content management plans. Assist with the use of technology to enhance communications in support of department missions. Monitor websites for relevant content and accuracy.
• 8. Coordinate arrangements for meetings and special events including pick-up and delivery services. Represent the Borough at public meetings as assigned and coordinate planning and outreach activities. Meet at various locations on short notice and/or during non-duty hours.
• 9. Respond to citizen and media requests for information. Coordinate the timely response to public information requests made upon the Borough by working with appropriate departments. Monitor community concerns and make administration aware of issues that may need to be addressed.
• 10. Serve as backup for the Executive Administrative Assistant. Certain duties as applicable.
• 11. Communicate with community members directly to resolve issues. Receive, research, and resolve customer complaints received by phone, mail, email, fax, and social media. Forward complaints you are unable to address to the Chief of Staff…