Public Information Specialist

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 Small & Minority Business Resources Department ( SMBR ) was created by City Council in 1987 to administer the Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise ( MWBE ), and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise ( DBE ) programs within our community.

This position will be a part of the Strategic Services Unit and will be responsible for a variety of departmental and external communications regarding programs, services and key initiatives. This position will provide support to the Sr. Public Information Specialist and will facilitate monthly workshops, participate in networking and informational events. In addition, this role will serve as lead in maintaining information and communication on department’s website and other social media platforms.

When completing the City of Austin employment application:
A detailed, complete City of Austin application is required for the position to help us better evaluate your qualifications. For each of your positions, please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications. Please be thorough in completing the employment application and list all experience that is relevant to this position, including your supervisory and/or leadership experience, if applicable. This is the criteria that will be used to select candidates for interview, and the starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience.

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.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate, and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution and proof of your professional licenses or certifications.

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.
Pay Range
$29.23 - $36.54

Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
* Hours may vary depending upon business needs.

* Telework opportunities available.
* This position will require working extended and irregular work hours occasionally to accommodate business needs.
Job Close Date 10/25/2024 Type of Posting External Department Small & Minority Business Rsrc Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 505 Barton Springs Road, Suite 500, Austin, TX 78704 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience working with Marketing and Communications tools for email, customer relationship management, and data collection, such as Constant Contact, MailChimp, Public Input, Mentimeter, and Meta Business
• Experience with content management platforms with a preference for experience managing websites built in Drupal, and or similar platforms.
• Experience working with professional design and editing softwares such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premiere and Canva
• Experience writing content for diverse communications such as news releases, external newsletters, and social media.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish
• Excellent public speaking skills and experience giving presentations to large audiences
• 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.
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. 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. Assists in the planning and development of advertising/promotional campaigns/strategies. Provides event coordination services i.e., arrange facilities, contact media, invite all appropriate groups and individuals, etc. Designs, researches, write and edit newsletters and releases for internal or external use. Develops and updates intranet and internet web sites. Produces public service announcements and videos and photography for promotional use. Designs and maintains databases i.e., mailing lists, association & organization lists, etc. 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 does not require 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 Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation from an accredited four (4) 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 requirements?

• Yes
• No

* Please describe how you meet these minimum qualifications. Please detail how you meet the educational requirements (if applicable), account for the years of related experience (if applicable), and explain any substitutions of experience for education, or vice-versa (if applicable).
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience implementing marketing and communications strategies. In your answer, please include which position(s) on your application where you gained this experience, how many years and detail what specific role you played. If you do not have this experience, please put N/A
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your expertise in managing websites built in Drupal, and or similar platforms. In your answer, please include which position(s) on your application where you gained this experience, how many years and detail what specific role you played. If you do not have this experience, please put N/A.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience working with Marketing and Communications tools, such as Constant Contact, MailChimp, Public Input, Mentimeter, and Meta Business. In your answer, please include which position(s) on your application where you gained this experience, and detail what specific role you played. If you do not have this experience, please put N/A.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your public speaking skills and experience giving presentations to large audiences. In your answer, please include which position(s) on your application where you gained this experience, how many years and detail what specific role you played. If you do not have this experience, please put N/A
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Optional Documents

• 

• City of Austin

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