Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience: - Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Advertising or related field;
- Or four (4) years of experience in developing and implementing programs of public information.
Licenses or Certifications: None.
Notes to Applicants
The City of Austin’s Office of Police Oversight ( OPO ) provides impartial oversight of the Austin Police Department’s conduct, practices, and policies to enhance accountability, informs the public to increase transparency, and creates sustainable partnerships throughout the community. We are a small team that embraces human-centered design and procedural justice. OPO is separate and independent from the Austin Police Department.
The Office of Police Oversight ( OPO ) seeks a public information specialist to enhance transparency using media relations, digital marketing, and communications strategies. This role reports to the Public Information and Marketing Program Manager and collaborates with community engagement specialists, complaint specialists, and policy and research professionals to promote OPO’s programs and services. The public information specialist will write and design materials for multiple platforms, including press releases, blog articles, social media, flyers, website content, infographics, reports, and memos.
When completing the City of Austin employment application:
The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered. Please be sure that your application is a reflection of your entire work history.
- Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
- A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job titles and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered. Describe your specific experience for each position. Include all job duties, responsibilities, and employment dates.
Assessment: A presentation will be a part of the interview process.
Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the
Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin
Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
Benefits: Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities, and more. Please click
HERE for more information.
Applicants must submit a portfolio. Please submit a document with the following work samples:
· One original digital design (graphic or website)
· One writing sample (maximum of 3 pages per sample)
Attach this item as “other document” in the Optional & Required Applicant Documents section of your application.
If you are selected as a top candidate: - Verification of your education and if you are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
- Successful candidates must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems ( CJIS ) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility.
Pay Range
$28.04 - $34.34
Hours
This position is in-person, Monday - Friday, from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Depending on Business needs, telework up to two days a week may be possible after successful completion of a six-month training period.
Job Close Date 06/27/2024 Type of Posting External Department Management Services Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 1520 Rutherford Lane, Austin, TX Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience: - Experience writing content for news media outlets or publications.
- Strong writing, editing, proof-reading, graphic design, and digital publishing ( CMS , HTML ) skills.
- Experience in utilizing plain language or accessible design practices in creating accessible communications for diverse populations, including non-English speaking communities and people living with disabilities.
- Experience creating content driven by data
- Experience with social and digital media
- Ability to travel to more than one work location.
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
1. Writes, plans, organize, direct, coordinate and edit articles for publication in a variety of forms, including electronic publication. Coordinates all aspects of production of marketing materials.
2. Performs media relations duties to include: media buying, news releases, and fielding questions from media. Performs public relations duties to include: public and school education, presentations, tours of public facilities, and requests for information from the general public.
3. Assists in the planning and development of advertising/promotional campaigns/strategies.
4. Provides event coordination services i.e., arrange facilities, contact media, invite all appropriate groups and individuals, etc.
5. Designs, researches, write and edit newsletters and releases for internal or external use.
6. Develops and updates intranet and internet web sites.
7. Produces public service announcements and videos and photography for promotional use.
8. Designs and maintains databases i.e., mailing lists, association & organization lists, etc.
9. Receives, investigates, and answers questions from external media and public. Serves as liaison for media and general public.
Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:
Conducts training of personnel regarding: how to communicate with the media, train external media on departments’ media standard operating procedures.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
- Knowledge of public information, marketing, public relations, media relations programs.
- Knowledge of the functions and organization of municipal government, to include the relationships between departments, divisions and agencies.
- Knowledge of the principles associated with the role of meeting the necessary standards of customer service.
- Knowledge Federal, State and Local laws.
- Knowledge of city practice, policy and procedures.
- Skill in oral and written communication.
- Skill in handling multiple projects and prioritizing.
- Skill in using computers and related software.
- Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
- Skill in planning and organizing.
- Ability to interpret policies and guidelines.
- Ability to write articles for publication.
- Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
- Ability to lead and train others.
- Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.
The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.
Supplemental QuestionsRequired fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the Public Information Specialist position are: Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Advertising or related field; Or Four (4) years of experience in developing and implementing programs of public information. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?
* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) to be hired.
- I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS-Criminal Background Investigation).
* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?
* Do you have any Spanish language proficiency?
- No
- Yes - Can read.
- Yes - Can read and speak.
- Yes - Can read, speak, and write.
* Describe when you developed content for people with disabilities or non-English speaking community members. What was your process for identifying the accessibility needs of community members? What strategies or tactics did you employ to improve accessibility? How did you measure success or integrate feedback from community members?
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience in creating digital content and managing digital platforms, including but not limited to video, email newsletters, social media, graphic design, or website content. In your answer, please include which position on your application where you gained this experience, what specific role you played, and your familiarity with respective software or platforms.
(Open Ended Question)
* Applicants must submit a portfolio. This will be attached to your application as “other document” in the Optional & Required Applicant Documents section of your application. Have you submitted the following a document attachment? • One original digital design (graphic or website) • One writing sample (maximum of 3 pages per sample). Did you submit these required documents?
Optional & Required DocumentsRequired Documents Other Document
Optional Documents
