PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

Public Information Officer

This position plans and coordinates a program to keep the public informed of the assigned department programs, issues, incidents and accomplishments; manages the media relations duties within the department, and performs related professional and administrative duties as assigned. The incumbent works within a general outline of work to be performed, and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision. The work is considered sedentary in nature and involves walking or standing some of the time, exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis, and sustained keyboard operations. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, fingering, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking. Work environment involves exposure to no known hazards; and is relatively safe, secure, and stable.

Essential Job Functions:

• Serves as spokesperson to the media and public for the assigned department;
• Composes and distributes press releases and public service announcements to disseminate department information and to otherwise facilitate a positive public image of the assigned department;
• Supervises the preparation and distribution of press releases and public service announcements to disseminate department information and to otherwise facilitate a positive public image of the City;
• Coordinates press conferences and/or interviews for administrators, department heads and elected officials, including acquiring use of appropriate site, coordinating availability of necessary equipment, and notifying and briefing appropriate media representatives;
• Writes news and feature articles for newspapers and other publications;
• Receives and responds to public, staff and news media inquiries, requests for assistance, concerns and complaints;
• Conducts on camera interviews, telephone interviews, etc. as necessary to ensure accurate and timely releases to media;
• Addresses neighborhood associations, civic clubs and other groups regarding personal safety, crime prevention, fire protection and rescue services to promote public understanding and prevention of fires and accidents;
• Prepares for and gives presentations to various professional, community, civic and school groups;
• Establishes and maintains close working relationship with the news media to promote regular, accurate and comprehensive coverage of department issues, events and programs; contacts news media representatives to disseminate information and to suggest coverage by the media of specific events, programs or topics expected to reflect positively on the department;
• Reviews daily reports and communicates with management staff to identify and obtain information on newsworthy incidents and issues;
• Monitors external and internal customer service to ensure that the public receives exemplary services;
• Oversees development and implementation of community outreach initiatives to ensure a link between the assigned department and the communities it serves to reduce risk, facilitate public education, and enhance code enforcement;
• Ensures that the Department is responsive to the communities' needs and concerns including multiethnic populations;
• Liaises with the chief department staff on media release and other activities to ensure the department accomplishes its mission;
• Provides professional and technical assistance to department management and staff on public information strategies and practices;
• Prepares informational materials for public distribution, including but not limited to brochures and fliers;
• Takes photographs at special events, incidents, etc. for use by the department;
• Prepares and arranges for the printing of the department's annual report;
• Oversees the department's website;
• Oversees and/or participates in the production of public safety announcements and materials, from design through distribution;
• Coordinates with the City Public Relations office regarding all Freedom of Information Act requests;
• Responds to requests from media, attorneys, consultants, and concerned citizen groups and the general public for information concerning the Department and its activities in accordance with the FOI Act;
• Works with requesters and departmental staff to clarify requests for information and also acts as a communications liaison between those groups to assure accurate completion of requests;
• Develops tracking systems and databases in order to monitor the timely completion of requests and assure the department's compliance with state guidelines for the Freedom of Information Act process;
• Establishes and maintains FOI records and reports; retains records in an appropriate and confidential manner and coordinates retention of documents with the department's Records Division;
• Ensures establishment and oversight of social media guidelines within the department while working through the chain of command;
• Attends department, City, community and committee meetings as appropriate;
• Performs general administrative / clerical work as necessary, including preparing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, sending and receiving faxes, answering the telephone, ordering supplies and materials, etc.;
• Responds to emergencies and serves as media contact for on-scene emergencies public information officer reporting to the incident commander and/or through the chain of command for all media releases;
• Works on call 24 hours per day and considered as "essential" during emergency situations; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in communication, public administration, or a closely related field;
• Three (3) years of relevant prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class "D" Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of addition and subtraction, multiplication and division and/or calculating ratios, rates and percent;
• Knowledge of personal computer equipment with skill in the use of Microsoft Office preferred, word processing and database software programs;
• Ability to coordinate or determine time, place or sequence of operations or activities based on analysis of data or information and may implement and report on operations and activities;
• Ability to provide information, guidance or assistance to people to directly facilitate task accomplishment; may give directions or assignments to helpers or assistants;
• Ability to handle or use machines, tools or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience, such as computers for data entry, fax machines, copiers, telephones or similar equipment; may service office machines, including adding paper and changing toner;
• Ability to perform coordinating work involving guidelines and rules with constant problem solving;
• Ability to read journals, manuals, and professional publications; speaking informally to groups of co-workers, staff in other organizational agencies, general public, people in other organizations; composing original reports, scripts, articles, press releases, brochures, and other publication materials using proper language, punctuation, grammar and style;
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely both orally and in writing;
• Ability to professional level work requiring the application of principles and practices in a wide range of administrative, technical, or managerial methods in the solution of administrative or technical problems; requires general understanding of operating policies and procedures and the ability to apply these to complex administrative problems; requires continuous, close attention for accurate results or frequent exposure to unusual pressure; and
• Ability to guide others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many variations from the routine.