The City of San José Animal Care and Services is a full-service animal care division of the Public Works Department comprised of four units: Field Operations (Animal Control), Medical Services, dog, cat, and small animals Shelter Operations, and Administration. Each unit works in collaboration with each other for the care of the animals in the communities that we serve.
It is the mission of the division to provide a welcoming and humane place for animals and those who care for them; to protect, educate and serve the public; to develop programs that improve the lives of people and animals; and to create opportunities for our community and supporters to help us succeed.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Working under the direction of the department's Public Information Manager, the Public Information Representative's chief functions will be to deliver, develop, and strategize on communications efforts to enhance the division's visibility in the community and to promote pet adoptions, volunteering, donations, and general pet care education.
- The role will create, devise, deliver graphics and content in keeping with the division's look and style and may be called up to adjust as the creativity evolves staying current with the most effective trends in social media marketing.
- Communications functions will be mainly digital, but materials will also be development and delivered in print as needed.
- This role will support the division's community outreach events, special events, educational events and adoption events.
- This role will serve as secondary contact for the media and may be called on to coordinate interviews and provide media with facts as requested.
- The PIR will lead efforts to streamline the division's photo and video collection working with staff and volunteers to manage and coordinate submissions for public posting to social channels.
- The PIR will prioritize the curation of the division's social media platforms ensuring a consistent look, style, tone, and schedule of posts that highlights the current needs of the division and recognizes significant holidays and pet days throughout the calendar year
- The PIR will support or lead webpage curation and deliver timely updates to webpages as directed by the PIM, or department leadership
- The PIR will monitor and collect data on social posts to contribute to the analysis of communications effort, to provide scales in support to annual reports, or for any other reporting needs.
DUTY NO. TYPICAL CLASS ESSENTIAL DUTIES : (These duties and estimated frequency are a representative sample; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department.) Public Information Representative I performs the following duties under direct supervision. Public Information Representative II performs these duties independently. Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: FRE- QUENCY* 1.
Develops public information programs and project goals and objectives; implements plans; evaluates communications program results; and assists in the management of related budgets.
Continuous
2.
Researches, writes, edits and produces materials for public information programs.
Occasional
3.
Develops and maintains websites, and prepares content for websites and social media programs.
Occasional
4.
Develops and produces news releases, brochures, photography, and videos; designs and produces materials using desktop publishing techniques or graphic design consultants.
Occasional
5.
Establishes and maintains working relationships with news media, community groups, and public or private organizations regarding the program, project, or department.
As Required
6.
Responds orally and in writing to public and professional inquiries regarding services, projects, facilities, and programs.
As Required
7.
May supervise support staff as assigned.
As Required
8.
Conducts research, including public opinion surveys, market trend analysis, research analyses, and evaluations, or monitor vendors for this purpose, to aid the preparation, implementation, and assessment of public information strategies and tactics.
As Required
9.
Coordinates the recruitment, training, and management of volunteers, interns, docents and others to achieve program goals.
As Required
10.
Participates in the procurement of services and products with consultant agreements and purchase requisitions; checks service and products supplied for accuracy, costs, and schedule compliance; prevents and resolves disputes with vendors.
As Required
11.
Plans and coordinates special events, seminars, trade shows or missions, and
promotional events.
As Required
12.
Organizes and conducts special meetings and tours for dignitaries, public groups,
officials, news media, and others.
As Required
13.
Plans and conducts fundraising projects to enhance or expand City services and programs or accomplish program goals.
As Required
14.
Represents the City, program or department at meetings and special events; prepares and gives presentations.
As Required
15.
Participates in the planning, preparation, and practice for departmental and Citywide emergency public information activities.
As Required
16.
Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.
As Require
*Frequency defined as %, (totaling 100%) or "Continuous" (daily or approximately 20%+), "Frequent"(weekly or approximately 15%+), "Occasional"(monthly or approximately 10%+), "As Required"(Intermittent or 5% or less)
This is a Temporary Overstrength position anticipated to be funded until June 30, 2025, subject to further extension as appropriate.Public Information Representative I
Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in journalism, communications, advertising, marketing, public relations, public administration, or closely related field. No minimum experience required.
Acceptable Substitutions: Additional years of professional experience in public relations, public information, or other related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis up to two years.
Public Information Representative II
Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in journalism, communications, advertising, marketing, public relations, public administration, or closely related field and two years of progressively responsible professional public information, marketing, or public relations experience. No substitution for education.
Licensing Requirements - Valid California Driver's License may be required.
Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of public information and public relations techniques, and promotional events planning.
- Knowledge of principl
es of organization and administration.
- Knowledge of methodology and techniques for basic research and evaluation, surveys, and analysis.
- Knowledge of basic principles of graphic design, photography, video, web, multimedia, and presentation production.
- Ability to write and edit effectively for a variety of purposes, formats, and audiences.
- Ability to use personal computers and related applications and technology and learn new applications
- Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Basic Competencies
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include: Demonstrated marketing and communications competencies including campaign building, messaging best practices, social media acumen, and media expertise
- Communication Skills - communicates and listens effectively and responds in an timely, effective, positive and respectful manner; written reports and correspondence are accurate, complete, and current; well-organized, legible, concise, neat, and in proper grammatical form
- Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.
- Customer Service - demonstrates ability to anticipate internal and external customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently in a timely, accurate, respectful and friendly manner.
- Flexibility - makes effective decisions and achieves desired results in the midst of major changes in responsibilities, work processes, timeframes, performance expectations, organizational culture, or work environment.
- Problem Solving - Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.
- Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance
- Computer Skills - Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook; MS Word; MS PowerPoint; MS Access; MS Excel; Vision, WordPress or other CMS platforms; video creating apps, social media platforms,
- Multi-Tasking - Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).
- Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.
- Political Skills - demonstrates an understanding and consideration of how actions will affect stakeholders and other areas in the organization.
Desirable Qualifications
Knowledge of:
- Media relations principles and methods.
- Marketing principles and techniques.
- Principles of supervision.
- Organizations and resources relevant to the services provided by the department.
- The City's practices and procedures, including purchasing, financial management, budgeting, and personnel administration.
Ability to:
- Develop, maintain, and use websites, communications technology, and social media platforms.
- Initiate, develop, and maintain productive working relationships with a wide variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and vendors.
- Plan, organize, and coordinate a variety of special events and promotions.
- Effectively organize and carry out multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Relate effectively with people from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds.
- Translate complex information into understandable terms in order to engage a variety of audiences.
Experience with:
- Advanced graphic, photography, video, multimedia, and presentation production.
- Public outreach, community relations, and public engagement.
- Strategic communications planning.
