Placer County

Public Information Officer - I (#11849)

$40.09-$50.07 Hourly / $6,948.93-$8,678.80 Monthly / $83,387.20-$104,145.60 Yearly

Public Information Officer - II (#14922)

$42.54-$53.10 Hourly / $7,373.60-$9,204.00 Monthly / $88,483.20-$110,448.00 Yearly

DEFINITION

To assist with a wide variety of communication projects in support of assigned county department’s public information program; to plan, organize, and implement comprehensive public information, media relations, and communication programs; to write press releases and other public information materials; to serve as department spokesperson; and to provide staff assistance to management/executive level staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Public Information Officer – I
This is the entry-level class in the Public Information Officer series. Positions in this class typically have little or no directly related work experience and work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks. This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of less than the full range of duties assigned to the journey level. Incumbents work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks, progressing to general supervision as procedures and processes of assigned area of responsibility are learned. 

Public Information Officer – II
This is the full journey-level in the Public Information Officer series. This class is distinguished from Public Information Officer - I by the ability to perform the full range of duties assigned with only occasional instruction or assistance as unusual or unique situations arise. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the Public Information Officer – I level.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Public Information Officer - I
Incumbents work initially under immediate supervision from an assigned supervisor while learning job tasks, progressing to general supervision as the procedures and processes of the assigned areas of responsibilities are learned.

Public Information Officer – II 
Receives general direction from assigned management staff. May exercise direct supervision over assigned technical and clerical staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: 
  • Serve as spokesperson for print, television, radio, and/or social media; hold press conferences to brief the public providing essential information regarding critical incidents, emergencies, and community, or department events. 
  • Research and write news releases, newsletter articles, brochures, flyers, and other materials in support of public information efforts; develop marketing and communication plans based on department needs. 
  • Assist in planning, organizing, staffing, and managing logistical details of special events, community outreach activities, employee activities, and significant projects. 
  • Collaborate and develop professional relationships with media outlets to ensure communication of high-priority items to the public. 
  • Act as a point of contact for public inquiries through phone calls and online queries; review and respond accordingly while representing the County or assigned department. 
  • Interview experts and write news releases and articles for the County’s internal and external websites; send to media outlets and distribute information on digital outreach platforms. 
  • Take photographs, attend events, research, write, copy, and provide logistical support for newsletters. 
  • Update and maintain department websites and other social media platforms. 
  • Provide logistical support to video and other media projects. 
  • Respond to a wide variety of questions from the public regarding technical topics or general inquiries on behalf of the County or assigned department. 
  • Assist with forecasting budget justifications for staff, equipment, materials, and supplies; may monitor and control expenditures for unit. 
  • Build positive working relationships with the public and other county employees, using principles of good customer service. 
  • Contact businesses, civic organizations, and people in leadership positions in conjunction with county projects or issues. 
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in both an indoor office environment with controlled temperature conditions and in the field requiring travel to various locations throughout the County in a variety of outdoor weather conditions. Incumbents will be assigned to work odd or unusual hours during emergency or disaster situations or for special events requiring public information services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Public Information Officer – I

Experience and Training: 
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: 

No experience required. 

Training: 

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in English, journalism, marketing, communications, graphic design, public relations, or a related field. 

Required License or Certificate: 
May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Public Information Officer - II 

Experience and Training: 
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: 

Two (2) years of increasingly responsible professional- level communications, media and/or public information experience including spokesperson responsibilities and/or developing and implementing public relations programs. 

Training: 

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in, journalism, marketing, communications, graphic design, public relations, or a related field. 

Required License or Certificate: 
May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Public Information Officer – I

Knowledge of:

  • Principles and practices of communications, public affairs, and journalism. 
  • Principles of good customer service. 
  • Principles and practices used within a public information function.  
  • Techniques used in preparing and delivering effective oral and written presentations. 
  • Photography, videography, and audio production equipment and software. 
  • Principles and practices of event planning, including organizing, staffing, and managing logistical details for outreach and other special events. 
  • Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment. 
  • Computer software programs such as word processing, graphic design, or layout programs, and/or internet web page maintenance or design.
Ability to: 
  • On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; read, identify, interpret, understand, analyze, apply, recall, and explain complex and technical policies and procedures, numerical information, work papers, technical reports, special projects, and pertinent laws, rules, and regulations; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks with frequent interruptions; analyze situations and determine proper course of action; manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and quickly switch between tasks; focus on a single task for long periods of time. 
  • On a continuous basis, sit at a desk or in meetings for long periods of time; Intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, or twist to reach equipment or when in the field; perform simple and power grasping and fine manipulation; speak, use a telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate; see and hear with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; lift moderate weight.  
  • Operate modern office equipment including computers, copiers, document scanners, fax machines, cell phones and/or other electronic devices.  
  • Interpret and apply county and department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; interpret complex information about a variety of County programs and issues.  
  • Perform moderately complex mathematical and statistical calculations accurately. 
  • Perform research, analyze, and explain detailed information in a meaningful way. 
  • Effectively use photography, videography and other audio-visual tools. 
  • Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.  
  • Work on multiple project assignments simultaneously; analyze and establish priorities, and maintain the flexibility to change priorities often, as required. 
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with reporters, news media, other agencies, the public, county employees, and all those contacted in the course of work. 
  • Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner. 
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. 
  • Preserve and maintain confidentiality of information and materials routinely encountered as part of work assignments. 
Public Information Officer - II 

In addition to the requirements for Public Information Officer – I: 

Knowledge of: 
  • Pertinent local, state, and federal rules, regulations, and laws. 
  • Budgeting procedures and techniques. 
  • Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluations. 
Ability to: 
  • Independently interpret and apply county and department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations. 
  • Supervise, train, and evaluate staff. 
  • Independently research, analyze, and explain detailed information in a meaningful way.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Length of Probation: 
All permanent appointments to this classification shall serve a probationary period of twelve (12) calendar months or two thousand eighty (2,080) hours, whichever is more. 

Bargaining Unit: 
Management 

CLASS: 11849; EST: 1/11/2025;
CLASS: 14922; EST: 8/13/2018; REV: 1/11/2025;