Position/Program Information EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FILING DATES Application will be accepted starting
June 11, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. (PT) and will remain open until the needs of the Department are met. Filing may close at any time without prior notice.
EXAM NUMBER H1610B
TYPE OF RECRUITMENT Open Competitive Opportunity
NO OUT-OF-CLASS EXPERIENCE, OR WITHHOLDS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS EXAMINATION. DEFINITION: Manages and directs the planning, development, evaluation, implementation, and administration of a comprehensive and strategic public information and engagement program.
CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS: Positions allocable to this class are part of the executive management team and report to a higher-level manager and are responsible for directing a comprehensive public information program to convey the department's missions, goals, and services. Incumbents in this class are primarily charged with overseeing professional public information staff, formulating policies, setting communications strategic direction, and managing public information and media activities for a medium or large department. This class works with executive departmental managers to develop and implement communication strategies to address high-profile communications challenges, including disaster and emergency response. Incumbents in this class exercise a high level of independent judgment and discretion in advising management on public and community relations matters, and provide professional media and communication strategies and tactics. Incumbents must possess a highly professional level of verbal and written communication skills and have an extensive knowledge of the principles and techniques of mass communication, media relations, social media, digital communication methods, including an in-depth understanding of methods to convey information to the County’s diverse, multilingual communities. Incumbents must also have an extensive knowledge of the Public Records Act, along with marketing and branding practices. Incumbents must seek professional development opportunities and continually update their skills.
Essential Job FunctionsPlans, directs, and reviews the overall departmental public information activities.
Participates and manages in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for a department’s public information program or office, with a strong understanding of and emphasis on communication with diverse, multilingual communities.
Researches departmental programs to identify topics of media interest for proactive dissemination (story pitches) and creation of content to provide accurate and timely information to the public.
Creates relevant public information strategies for responding to media requests and disseminating information.
Develops and administers policies and procedures related to public information programs.
Serves as departmental resource on the California Public Records Act.
Trains or oversees media training for departmental executives and subject matter experts.
Oversees the development of information for release to the media to promote effective public relations for a department, with an emphasis on transparency, accuracy, and timeliness.
Leads departmental crisis communications strategy and response on issues concerning the performance and reputation of the department, and emergency communications response to a wide range of disasters and hazards.
Develops and executes communication strategies, tactics, and deliverables, through various communication channels such as websites, social media, reports, e-newsletters, videos, photography, annual reports and, as needed, print collateral such as brochures.
Procures translation services and convening of ethnic media briefings to ensure that departmental messaging is reaching the County’s diverse populations.
Coordinates photography, videography and graphic design services, as needed.
Convenes press conferences, develops news releases, and create content to highlight departmental programs and people.
Develops project budgets; prepares cost estimates for budget recommendations; submits justifications for equipment, supplies, services, and events; monitors and controls expenditures associated with assigned projects.
Develops and launches new communication channels.
Ensures maintenance of a consistent countywide brand identity across all content and all channels.
Responds to emergencies, newsworthy events, and media inquiries; staffs and/or assigns staff to the department's emergency operations center during activation as a result of a disaster or crisis; provides contacts and immediate responsiveness to inquiries including receiving and assessing information, tailoring the message to the audience, coordinating with the Board Office and the Chief Executive Office, other governmental agency leaders, communications media, and others, and advising appropriate personnel.
Works with department executives to develop internal communications such as annual reports, annual budget, mission and vision statements, and other critical communications documents.
Serves as an information conduit to Board staff and Board Deputies and alerts them of inquiries regarding controversial or high-profile issues involving the department; provides opportunities to highlight the department’s programs and people to the public and the media.
Tracks and reports on the effectiveness of communications efforts, as needed.
Continually updates professional skills and seeks development opportunities.
Drives to different sites, as required.
Requirements SELECTION REQUIREMENT: A Bachelor's degree or higher* from an accredited college or university with a major in Communications, Journalism, Public Administration, Public Relations, English or a closely-related field -AND- Five years of experience at the level of Los Angeles County’s class of Senior Public Information Specialist** initiating, planning, developing, maintaining, evaluating, implementing, and coordinating a complex and sensitive*** public information program.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
* In order to receive credit for any degree, you must include a legible copy of the official diploma, official transcripts, or official letter from the accredited institution which shows the area of specialization with your application at the time of filing, or within ten (10) calendar days from application submission.
** Experience at the level of Senior Public Information Specialist is defined as: i nitiates, plans, develops, maintains, evaluates, implements, and coordinates a more complex and sensitive public information and engagement program; serves in a lead capacity or may serve as a supervisor to public information staff engaged in the planning and dissemination of information through various media channels.
*** Complex and sensitive is defined as: performing the more complex public information functions, such as communicating with members of the news media, developing crisis communications plans; planning, writing, editing, and preparing the more complicated and sensitive material for dissemination through various communication channels, as well as researching departmental programs and investigating and resolving concerns regarding departmental matters.
LICENSE: A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
PHYSICAL CLASS: Physical Class II - Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10 pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: - Knowledge of the principles and techniques of mass communication, media relations, social media, digital communication methods; (i.e. soft design skills using Adobe and/or online software, posting social media and monitoring analytics to increase user engagement, and audio visual understanding to ensure the success of hybrid, in person and virtual meetings/ events).
- Demonstrates strong professional writing and research skills, displaying knowledge of current, local and/or national policy trends.
- Experience in governmental public relations and crisis communication; (i.e. clearly and neutrally communicate controversial situations with all internal and external customers).
- Knowledge of media landscape; planning and managing programs or services for special events and projects; (i.e. setting up press conferences, drafting and adapting content for different purposes, developing and maintaining an editorial calendar, taking photos and video, updating website content).
Additional Information Examination Content: This examination will consist of an Evaluation of Training and Experience weighed 100%, based on application information, Desirable Qualifications, and the Supplemental Information Questionnaire.
Each candidate's background will be evaluated on the basis of information provided on their County of Los Angeles Employment Application and Supplemental Information Questionnaire form that pertains to the areas of SELECTION REQUIREMENTS and DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS to determine the level and scope of the candidate's job preparation for this position.
APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE REQUIREMENTS AND ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON EACH PART OF THE EXAMINATION IN ORDER TO BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE LIST. PLEASE NOTE: Please add the below email addresses to your email address book and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.
Jegomez@bos.lacounty.gov
noreply@governmentjobs.com
info@governmentjobs.com
Scores cannot be given over the phone. Eligibility Information :
We will process applications on an "as-received" basis. Those who receive a passing final score will be promulgated to the eligible register accordingly. The names on the register will be active for a period of 12 months following the date of promulgation.
No person may participate in this examination more than once every twelve (12) months.
Vacancy Information :
We will use the resulting eligible register to fill vacancies in the Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors.
Application And Filing Information :
Applications must be filed online only. We must receive your application
BEFORE 5:00 p.m., PT, on the last day of filing. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person will not be accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. You can also track the status of your application using this website.
Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the 5:00 p.m. PT, deadline. You may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty, you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.
Fill out your application completely. The acceptance of your application depends on whether you have clearly shown that you meet the Minimum Requirements to Qualify as listed on this job bulletin. Provide any relevant job experience in the spaces provided so we can evaluate your qualifications for the job. For each job held, give the name and address of your employer, your job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed. If your application is incomplete, it will be rejected.
Important: Please note that all information included in the application materials is subject to verification at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of any information may result in disqualification or rescission of appointment. Utilizing verbiage from the Class Specification and Minimum Requirements serving as your description of duties will not be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and you may be disqualified.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Prime Variance Reports (PVRs), also known as Master Time Records, are not accepted, or required as part of the application process; this includes the selection interview and the background-check.
Fair Chance Initiative :
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.
Testing Accommodation: If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, please contact the Testing Accommodations Coordinator at TestingAccommodations@hr.lacounty.gov . Please provide supporting documentation from a qualified professional justifying the requested accommodation(s).
Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI):
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.
Social Security Number (SSN) :
Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.
User ID and Password :
All applicants must file their application using their own user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.
Do you have a computer and internet access?
For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.
Department Contact Name :
Jenny Gomez
JeGomez@bos.lacounty.gov
(213) 974-0895
ADA Coordinator Phone :
(213) 974-1422
Teletype Phone :
(213) 974-1704
California Relay Services Phone :
(800) 735-2922
CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION!For detailed information, please click
here
