Public Information Officer

Position Information / Definition

The City of Turlock is currently accepting applications for the position of Public Information Officer. Under direction, plans, organizes, and provides direction and oversight for comprehensive public/community relations and communications programs for the City including all departments; plans, manages, implements, coordinates, and evaluates public information, community outreach, and media relations functions and activities including conducting press briefings; oversees Citywide strategic and ongoing communications, social media, and branding;

prepares press releases, fact sheets, stakeholder community correspondence, publications, and newsletters; supports the goals and objectives of the City through public outreach, community engagement, education programs, and marketing strategies.

This position is designated as Management for Labor Relations purposes and is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

An eligibility list will be established from this recruitment that will be valid for six (6) months. All employees are required to serve a twelve (12) month probationary period.

This is a management level classification responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating the day-to-day operations of the Public Information function within the City. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines.

Receives direction from the City Manager or Deputy City Manager. Exercises supervision over and collaboration with assigned staff.

• Manage media inquiries and provide clear, factual, and prompt information to the community through press releases, press briefings, social media, and other communication channels.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with media outlets to effectively share City news and initiatives.
• Interface with the media and conducts/organizes press briefings; researches, writes, edits, and issues news releases, media advisories, news articles, feature stores, and public service announcements.
• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Public Information office, including outreach, customer service, public relations, and communications programs.
• Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of division budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
• Participatesinthedevelopmentandimplementationofgoals,objectives,policies,and priorities for the office.
• Respond to inquiries and requests for information from the media, government agencies, City staff, and members of the public.
• Develop, write, edit, design, and produce various communication materials, including newsletters, brochures, factsheets, press releases, articles, multi-media presentations, correspondence, reports, speeches, and special publications
• Developsandstandardizesproceduresandmethodstoimproveandcontinuouslymonitortheefficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures.
• May assist during citywide emergencies developing and directing emergency information to the media, City employees, and the general public.
• Assess and monitors workload, administrative, and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel.
• Develops and implements comprehensive outreach and communication programs; schedules, coordinates, and facilitates news conferences, community meetings, and City events that promote the City's services, programs, and activities and to educate and inform the public and customers.
• Collaborates with City departments, school districts, community groups, and other agencies to identifycommunicationopportunities; utilizes the City's cable television channel and other media sources to disseminate information through community education projects; promotes public awareness campaigns and community relations' initiatives.
• Responds to media requests with information about City programs and services as well as unusual circumstances/situations of immediate public interest, including emergency information; prepares, edits and coordinates speeches, press releases, media tip sheets, brochures, flyers, pamphlets, newsletters, annual reports, articles, electronic media, and related communications.
• Oversees participation in community and special events; produces informational and promotional materials; supervises staff engaged in the production, development, publication, and broadcast of information to the public and the community; provides ongoing support and advice to City staff regarding communications…