Communications and Public Information Officer

Responsibilities

• Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of the highly visible countywide communications and public information program to support organizational priorities and engage internal and external audiences.
• Serves as the County’s advisor on media relations, public messaging and communication strategy, and coaches County leaders and departments on media protocols and response practices.
• Prepares and directs the creation and dissemination of written, digital, and multimedia materials including newsletter, reports, press releases, speeches, presentations, and major publications.
• Provides creative direction for visual communications, including design, layout, and content.
• Acts as the County’s primary spokesperson and represents the organization with the media, community groups, partner agencies, and the public to seek support for public programs, suggest new editorial ideas, encourage coverage of County issues, direct reporters to stories and cultivate future stories.
• Acts as the County’s lead public information officer during emergencies and disasters, including wildfires; coordinates with emergency management personnel to ensure accurate and timely public messaging.
• Provides technical guidance and consultation to management and staff on cross-departmental and departmental communications, projects, and programs; provides training on media-related processes and procedures.
• Advises Board of Supervisors members, Chief Administrative Officer, department heads, management, and staff on media relations; provides guidance on preparing, presenting, and distributing informational materials and communications; and prepares materials and scripts for use.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the news media, community groups, elected officials, and other governmental agencies and/or stakeholders to meet communication and outreach needs; provides information on County services, events, and newsworthy incidents.
• Manages public outreach efforts; plans, arranges, and coordinates briefings, workshops, and information sessions.

Requirements

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public administration, journalism, marketing, communications, public relations, political science, or a related field; and Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in public communications, public relations, marketing, or communications strategy, with at least one (1) year of experience within a public agency preferred.
• Must possess a valid US driver’s license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver’s license following hire date per California DMV regulations.

Benefits

• This classification is scheduled to receive a 5% COLA effective July 2027.