Placer County

• Plan, organize, and manage the communications, public relations, and media relations activities in support of the Department of Health and Human Services; oversee and coordinate the allocation of designated resources; administer record keeping and reporting functions related to marketing, communications, and public relations on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services. 
• Advise executive management in the formulation, strategic development, implementation, and evaluation of the Health and Human Services communications, community and government relations, public health emergency management, and media relations programs, projects, and activities.
• Develop Health and Human Services marketing, communications, and public relations policies, procedures, and protocols for responding to and addressing issues relating to communication, public opinion, governmental and interagency relations, and legislative issues. 
• Work in partnership with department management to develop a coordinated communication strategy and to engage the public in preparedness activities and disseminate critical and time-sensitive information to the public during health emergencies or natural disasters. 
• Serve as spokesperson/representative during county-wide public health emergencies under the direction of executive management in coordination with partner agencies. 
• Analyze and evaluate the public's interest and extent of understanding of Health and Human Services programs and services through focus groups, surveys, and other methods. 
• Develop and implement communication plans and strategies that support the department’s priorities, objectives, and strategic plan to build trust with and ensure shared communication and flow of information with key stakeholders and the public. 
• Oversee Health and Human Services media relations program; review and produce news releases; direct the creation of media opportunities and develop story ideas; maintain personal contact with key media staff; develop talking points and advise executive management on media related or public relations issues. 
• Coordinate with the County Executive’s Office and executive management on unified messaging during public health emergencies and natural disasters. Serves in a supporting role during the activation of an Emergency Operations Center during public health emergencies. This includes the evaluation of information for public release to ensure compliance with security requirements and professional journalism standards. Gathers public sentiment and provides guidance on how to address issues as they arise. 
• Partner with the County Communications and Public Information Director and departmental public information staff to ensure all public and media communications are consistent. 
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with the media, the County Communications and Public Information Director, other County employees, and the public using principles of high-quality customer service. 
• Develop communication response plans to public health emergencies; work with executive management, Director of Health and Human Services, or their designee to identify and develop internal and external communication strategies and responses; develop talking points and emergency information for use during a public health emergency or a disaster. 
• Oversee development of print and web communications; promote internal and external information sharing. 
• Represent the Department of Health and Human Services and County to elected officials, other government agencies, non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, and the public; interpret and explain department programs, policies, and activities. 
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of public information, media relations, and other services as they relate to the area of assignment. 
• Forecast budget needs for staff, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitor and control expenditures for unit; assist management with budget development and monitoring. 
• Prepare, review, and present staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the Director of Health and Human Services or their designee. 
• Maintain effective press and media relations; respond to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints; recommend resolutions and alternative solutions. 
• Participate as a member of the management team; select, train, motivate, and evaluate assigned staff; provide or coordinate staff training. 
• Respond to and provide on-site media coverage for public health emergencies or natural disasters which may require working prolonged or unusual hours. 
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience: Four (4) years of increasingly responsible professional level communications, media, and/or public information experience including spokesperson responsibilities and/or developing and implementing public relations programs.  Experience in crisis/emergency response situations is preferred.

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

• 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.

• 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 a at desk or in meetings for long periods of time; Intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, or twist to reach equipment surrounding desk 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. 
• Plan, develop, implement, and review comprehensive media and public relations programs. 
• Prepare written analysis, evaluation, summaries, recommendations, correspondence, and reports. 
• Perform moderately complex mathematical and statistical calculations accurately. 
• Supervise, train, and evaluate staff. 
• Perform independent research; analyze and explain detailed information in a meaningful way. 
• Effectively use photography, videography, and other audio-visual tools. 
• Exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality. 
• Work odd or unusual hours as needed; be subject to emergency call out and unusual and prolonged work schedule during public health emergencies. 
• Make effective public presentations in routine and emergency situations. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with reporters, news media, other agencies, the public, county employees, and 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.