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Job Description
ABOUT US
At the County of Marin, our employees overwhelmingly report feeling their work is meaningful, they like the work they do, and they are proud to tell people “I work for the County of Marin.” Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture on the Marin County Human Resources website. Read on to find out more about this opportunity.
The Office of the County Executive (OCE) is responsible for preparing the County budget, providing the Board of Supervisors with the information needed for decision-making, representing the County in intergovernmental relationships, coordinating the work of all County departments, ensuring they provide timely, accurate and coordinated information to the public. The OCE staff also helps coordinate planning for County facilities, risk management, and racial equity initiatives.
The OCE Communications Division is a small, dynamic team that consists of a Communications Director, a Media Manager, and three Media Specialists.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Media Specialist promotes public understanding of County programs, services, and initiatives. The position is responsible for performing professional public information, media relations, and communications duties. Work includes preparing and disseminating materials through multiple channels, managing relationships with traditional media, and ensuring that communications strategies support the County's overall public information objectives.
The position involves collaboration with County staff, the news media, and the public to convey accurate and timely information about County programs and services. The Media Specialist works closely with elected officials, department heads, and County staff, developing and maintaining positive working relationships with those involved in public information and outreach efforts.
Areas of focus include:- Supporting the development and management of the County’s communication strategy for internal and external audiences, including public information, social media, marketing, and branding.
- Assisting in creating policies, procedures, and action plans for communication programs.
- Facilitating public outreach efforts in alignment with County goals and coordinating briefings, workshops, events, and emergency communication plans.
- Serving as a liaison between the County and media for sensitive issues and preparing talking points for public events and meetings.
- Collaborating with teams to ensure website content is accurate and updated, contributing to social media strategy and content development.
- Supporting contracted vendors and overseeing the progress of communication-related projects.
- Researching emerging issues in Marin’s communities and assisting in recommending policy adjustments based on potential impacts.
- Leading the preparation of speeches, scripts, news releases, and other communication materials for policymakers.
- Contributing to developing educational content, including brochures, fact sheets, and newsletters.
- Helping coordinate disaster preparedness and community outreach initiatives.
- Performing other related duties as required.
ABOUT YOU
THE HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATE: The ideal applicant possesses a combination of the following experience and competencies:- Experience supporting communication strategies for internal and external audiences, including public outreach, social media, marketing, and branding.
- Experience with public information initiatives in a governmental agency, coordinating outreach, and engaging diverse stakeholders.
- Experience collaborating with media and managing public responses to sensitive issues.
- Experience creating and editing speeches, scripts, news releases, and other materials, simplifying complex information for broad audiences.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills. Confident speaking publicly and on camera.
- Experience with government protocols for public information and emergency communications.
Bilingual Testing/Certification: The successful candidate, if bilingual, must demonstrate proficiency in both Spanish and English prior to appointment. A bilingual proficiency exam will be administered to ensure the candidates possess the appropriate skill level to meet the requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:- Operational aspects of public relations and communications programs.
- Mass and targeted communication, public speaking, marketing, and journalism techniques.
- Effective social media strategies.
- Public administration and organizational principles.
- Techniques for preparing and distributing information through various media channels.
- Journalism, writing, editing, layout, graphic design, and production of informational materials.
- Associated Press style
- Techniques for building and maintaining positive relationships with news media and public groups.
- Provide technical guidance to staff.
- Interpret and communicate County rules, regulations, and procedures.
- Speak publicly and address groups.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of education and experience that would provide the knowledge and abilities listed. Typically, this would be the equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations or a closely related field and two years of progressively responsible experience in media-related activities. Additional professional experience in media activities may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.
Testing and Eligible List: Depending on the number of qualified applications received, the examination may consist of a highly qualified review, application screening, online assessment, written examination, oral examination, performance examination, or any combination to determine which candidates' names will be placed on the eligible list.
The eligibility list created by this recruitment may be used to fill current or future vacancies for open, fixed-term, full-time or part-time positions in ANY County department while the list remains active . We encourage you to apply now if you are interested in a Media Specialist position in any County department.
Disaster Service Workers: All County of Marin employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
PLEASE NOTE: The benefits described herein do not apply to temporary (contingent) or to part-time employees that work less than 50%.
COUNTY OF MARIN BENEFITS: GENERAL
Below are some of the excellent benefits the County offers. More information about our benefits can be found on the Marin County's Benefits Homepage .
Paid Time Off : Competitive vacation accrual; 12 holidays per year; and generous sick leave accruals. Additional types of paid leaves are available for some bargaining units.
Health Plan : Choice of four health plans (two Kaiser HMOs, Western Health Advantage HMO,and an Anthem Blue Cross PPO) along with dental through Delta Dental PPO, and vision through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is a County contribution toward the premiums (the contribution amount varies depending on coverage tier elected such as employee only, employee + 1, employee + family). Plus, the County offers excellent Life Insurance, Disability, Flexible Spending Plans, a Dependent Care Assistance Program, professional development and more.
Retirement : Defined benefit plan under the County Employees Retirement Act of 1937. More information can be found online at www.mcera.org.
IRS 457 Plan : Choice of pre-tax or post-tax (Roth) employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical : The County provides access to group health plan coverage to eligible retirees.
For specific questions regarding the employment process, please contact Human Resources at (415) 473-6104. For additional details about the benefits or retirement, please contact the Benefits Division at (415) 473-2197.
*IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
Closing Date/Time: 10/31/2024 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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Marin County
Show moreThe County of Marin is a vibrant and thriving organization comprised of 23 agencies and departments with a workforce of approximately 2,400 employees. The County’s array of public safety, community development, public works, health and human services, community services and administrative services is governed by the Board of Supervisors, which is made up of an elected representative from each of the five voting districts in this county.
This diverse organization strives to uphold a set of core values at work: respect, trust, integrity, diversity, equality, excellence, accountability, innovation, and collaboration. These values keep the organization and its individuals healthy, resulting in successful and sustainable quality service delivery. In addition, the County is committed to being a well-managed organization that relies on the talents of its workforce to succeed.
OUR MISSION AS A COUNTY:
To provide excellent services that support healthy, safe and sustainable communities; preserve Marin’s unique environmental heritage; and encourage meaningful participation in the governance of the County by all.
When you’re employed in local government the effects of your work are visible all around you. Your work is an integral part of the day-to-day lives of Marin County residents and visitors. From the roads we drive on, to the parks and libraries we visit, to the services we rely on to keep us healthy and safe, County employees contribute directly to the sustained well-being of Marin County’s communities.
We are motivated to preserve the importance of Equity, Economy, Environment and Education that make our County unique. With over 3000 employees, volunteers and interns across 22 departments, we are a part of the communities we serve. We work with our core values in mind: Integrity, Respect, Diversity, Innovation, Collaboration, and Excellence. These values are not only part of our organization’s strategic initiatives and goals[PDF], but they are what unify us in our work across a variety of perspectives and skillsets.
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