Director of Communications and Public Affairs

To plan, organize, direct and coordinate the activities and operations of the County Executive Office around civic engagement, media communications, issues management, special events and neighborhood outreach services; to coordinate communications and advocacy activities with other departments and outside agencies to engage community stakeholders; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the County Executive Officer.

The Director of Communications and Public Affairs level recognizes a single position class that assumes responsibility for planning, organizing and directing the civic engagement, media communications, issues management, special events and neighborhood outreach services for the County. This position is distinguished from other positions assigned to public relations by the difficulty and complexity of work assigned and the overall responsibility to oversee and administer such programs. This position serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority having no specified term and no property right to continuous employment and can be released without cause.              

Receives administrative direction from the County Executive Officer.  

Exercises direct supervision over assigned professional, technical and administrative support personnel; may exercise technical and functional supervision over volunteer public information officers.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience: Seven years of increasingly responsible experience in communications or public relations, including three years of administrative and management responsibility. 

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

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. Possession of an Accredited Public Relations (APR) Certificate issued by the Public Relations Society of America is desirable.

NOTE: Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Human Resources Department.

NOTE: Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of community engagement and public relations.
• Principles and practices of communications methods and marketing techniques.
• Effective public presentation methods to attract and inform a variety of audiences.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• Pertinent local, State and Federal rules, regulations and laws.  
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs.
• Principles and practices of organization, administration and personnel management.
• Social media, web design, and graphic/visual presentation methods.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.

Ability to:

• Plan, direct and control the administration and operations of the community engagement and public outreach functions.
• On a continuous basis, analyze budget and technical reports; interpret and evaluate staff reports; know laws, regulations and codes; observe performance and evaluate staff; problem solve department related issues; remember various rules and procedures; and explain and interpret policy.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk and in meetings for long periods of time. Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone, and write or use keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift or carry weight of 10 pounds or less.
• Make effective public presentations in routine and emergency situations.
• Supervise, train and evaluate assigned personnel.
• Gain cooperation through discussion, persuasion and group facilitation.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret and apply County and department policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

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