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 plus four (4) years of progressive experience in developing and implementing programs of public information, one (1) of which was in a team leader/coordinator capacity.
- Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years.
Licenses or Certifications: Notes to Applicants
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW :
Please learn more about our department and how we serve our community:
What does the Watershed Protection Department do?
POSITION OVERVIEW :The Public Information Specialist Sr. position will lead emergency communications, conduct all aspects of media relations, serve as spokesperson to provide general department-related information to media, and plan and implement communication strategies for various projects, programs and initiatives for the Watershed Protection Department. This position will serve in a leadership capacity working with team members to set communication objectives, strategies and schedules, and will provide training and oversight to ensure timeliness and accuracy of information.
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.
ASSESSMENT :A non-standardized assessment will be given as part of the interview process.
EDUCATION :Verification of education will be conducted on the top candidate.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION :Job Offer is contingent on passing a Criminal Background Investigation.
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, career development opportunities and more. Please click
here for more information.
ABOUT YOUR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION (Please read carefully):When completing the City of Austin Employment Application:
- Include details on the application or prior or current work history with the City of Austin.
- A resume and cover letter are required. They do not substitute for a complete employment application.
- A detailed and complete employment application will help us better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position.
- Include details on the application of any previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications and relevant experience. Provide each job title and employment dates for all jobs on the application. Your work history should include duties you performed. “See Resume” is not acceptable and your application will be considered incomplete.
- Work history must include the month and year of employment and whether it was full or part-time work.
- Any relevant work history on the resume must also be reflected in the employment application in order to be considered.
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED :* Please submit three writing samples for this position.
The writing sample should include press releases, stakeholder communications, memos, articles, social media campaigns, or other related work products that you created. Please limit the total number of pages submitted to 5. Submit your writing sample under “Other Documents”, “Other Documents 2” and “Media Presentation” in the Optional and Required Applicant Documents section of the application. Applications missing these required documents will be considered incomplete and will not be considered.
OR
Please submit a writing sample and portfolio example for this position.
1. The writing sample can include reports, press releases, public information announcement, articles or related work product that you created.
2. The portfolio of related work can also include examples of marketing, graphic, social media or related work product that you created.
3. Please limit the total number of pages submitted to 15.
4. Submit your writing sample under “Other Documents” and your portfolio under “Other Documents #2” in the Optional and Required Applicant Documents section of the application.
5. Applications missing these required documents will be considered incomplete and will not be considered.
Pay Range
$30.29 - $37.86
Hours
40 hours per week, Monday - Friday with the ability for a 50% telework schedule within a two-week period. Exceptions may apply subject to the business needs of the department.
May require working outside of normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as dictated by business needs.
Job Close Date 08/15/2024 Type of Posting External Department Watershed Protection Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 505 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas 78704 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience: - Experience implementing emergency communication plans, including an understanding of National Incident Management System principles.
- Experience working with media and serving as a media spokesperson.
- Ability to understand and communicate complex, technical information to a diverse audience.
- Experience developing and implementing innovative and equitable communication strategies.
- 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.
Works on assignments that are complex in nature where considerable judgment and initiative are required in resolving problems and making recommendations. Primary responsibility for larger individual projects or act as an account representative for client departments and programs. Develops long-range strategic plans. Writes plans, organizes, directs, coordinates and edits articles for publication in a variety of forms, including electronic publication. Coordinates all aspects of production of marketing materials. Performs media relations duties to include: media buying, news releases, and fielding questions from media. Coordinates public relations duties to include: public and school education, presentations, tours of public facilities, and requests for information from the general public. Designs, researches, writes and edits newsletters and releases for internal or external use. Produces public service announcements and videos for promotional use.
Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:- May train and lead others.
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.
- Skill in oral and written communication.
- Skill in handling multiple tasks 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
The 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 Senior 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 plus four (4) years of progressive experience in developing and implementing programs of public information, one (1) of which was in a team leader/coordinator capacity. Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years. 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 CBI to be hired.
- I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.
* Please describe your experience implementing emergency communication protocols during emergency events and list any related certifications or trainings you have completed.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience with media relations, including writing press releases, coordinating interviews and media responses, and providing on-camera interviews.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please provide an example of when you successfully communicated complex, technical information to a diverse audience.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience with both the development and implementation of innovative and equitable communication strategies.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?
* Were you referred to this job opportunity by a Watershed Protection Department employee? If yes, please provide the employee's first and last name.
(Open Ended Question)
Optional & Required DocumentsRequired Documents Cover Letter Resume Other Document Other Document #2 Media Presentation
Optional Documents
