Introduction
Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn! For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.
POSITION INFORMATION
Placer County's Communications and Public Affairs Office is currently accepting applications for Public Information Officer - I and Public Information Officer - II.
The Communications and Public Affairs Office is the information link between the community and County departments, helping ensure public access to timely, transparent information. The Office acts as the County’s storytellers; they are liaisons to the news media and event facilitators. Few days look the same for this small but mighty team, supporting County functions that may range from emergency services to community development and public works projects. This Office fosters trust and collaboration with Placer's community members through strong writing and multi-media creative products, savvy social media outreach, and excellent customer service.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned, creative communicator
with strong news judgment, political acumen, and a commitment to public service. They are collaborative, detail-oriented, and skilled in storytelling, crisis communication, and building genuine relationships across multiple audiences and mediums. If you bring these qualities and a compassion for public service, we encourage you to apply. While fluency in Spanish is not required, it is a desirable asset.
Each level in this job series has different minimum qualifications. To participate in the recruitment at the I level, II level, or both levels, you must complete and submit separate applications and supplemental questionnaires for each recruitment:
- Public Information Officer - I #2026-11849-01
- Public Information Officer - II #2026-14922-01
BENEFITS
Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.
Click here to view Management benefits.
For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.
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
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
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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
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.
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.
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
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.
- Pertinent local, state, and federal rules, regulations, and laws.
- Budgeting procedures and techniques.
- Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluations.
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.
- 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.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
Training & Experience Rating (100%)
Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT
SUBSTITUTE LISTS
The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.
EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES
Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that unlawful 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 the following characteristics: gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, the person’s use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or any combination of two or more characteristics stated herein. 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.
Conclusion
For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Janine Martindale, Administrative Technician, at jmartind@placer.ca.gov or (530) 889-4083.
