Public Information Specialist

Introduction

This recruitment is being conducted to fill one current vacancy in the District Attorney's Office and to create an eligible list which may be used to fill future vacancies with other San Joaquin County Departments.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.

Potential new hires into this classification are required to successfully pass a pre-employment background as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made unless the eligible has passed all pre-employment processes.

NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.

The following incentives and bonuses may be available for eligible new hires. Incentives and bonuses are subject to approval by Human Resources:

• Vacation Accrual Rate : San Joaquin County vacation accrual rate consistent with the candidate's total years of public service.

• Sick Leave : Candidates leaving other employment may receive credit for actual non-reimbursable sick leave hours (up to 160 hours) from their last agency. Hours shall be subject to San Joaquin County's minimum sick leave cash out provisions.

• New Hire Retention Bonus :

$2,000 upon completion of first year equivalent employment (2,080 hours)

$1,000 upon completion of third year equivalent employment (6,240 hours)

$3,000 upon completion of sixth year equivalent employment (12,480 hours)

PIO DA'S Office by Employment Services Team

DEFINITION

Under general direction, develops, organizes, coordinates and maintains a comprehensive public information, media relations and communication program for a large County department or agency to inform the public of activities and services of the department by disseminating information through communication media; to advise and assist department management in public information activities; to respond to media requests for information; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

TYPICAL DUTIES

• Plans, develops and implements a department’s public information program; closely coordinates with departmental management to disseminate information and increase public awareness regarding department services and programs.
• Researches, analyzes and develops department policies, procedures and other administrative matters related to the department’s public information program; determines their impact upon the department’s operations; recommends alternative methods, policies and procedures.
• Develops and maintains an outlet through radio, television, social media and the press for announcements and releases for assigned department; determines the need for public information and educational activities; prepares feature articles on departmental activities, services and programs.
• Plans, writes and coordinates speeches, press conferences, media-enhanced presentations or productions and departmental public relations activities; coordinates radio and television appearances for personnel and assists in preparing materials for their use.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of public information activities and stays abreast of issues affecting department operations, programs and services.
• Makes presentations before various groups to promote knowledge and understanding of department services.
• Researches, designs, and prepares pamphlets, brochures, newsletters, and bulletins; prepares press releases, fact sheets and articles; prepares correspondence to public inquires on department programs/activities.
• Maintain media logs, press files, publications and media coverage to enhance public’s understanding of department/agency functions.
• Works collaboratively with department staff to review legislation and legislative bills relative to departmental functions; assists in drafting legislation for enhancing departmental objectives and shares that information with members of the legislative branch; provides resources, outreach and educational opportunities for departmental personnel, as well as the community, relating to the legislative process.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from a four-year accredited college or university with a major in communications, journalism, public relations, advertising, marketing, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field.

Experience: Two years of experience in professional public relations, media relations, journalism, or community relations with responsibility for writing and placing news releases or featured articles through social, visual and written communications; which includes a minimum of one-year of experience providing information to the public in the capacity of a public relations spokesperson.

Substitution #1: Additional-qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of two years.

Substitution #2: A master’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, advertising, marketing, business administration, public administration, or a closely related field may be substituted for one year of the above-required general experience.

License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE

Principles of effective public information program components and methods involved in planning, coordinating and implementing such programs; principles and techniques of mass communication, marketing, media relations and outreach; public speaking, fundamentals and principles of public speaking, written composition, and editing; techniques in developing and producing audio-visual presentations; tools used in the design and development of public information materials; computer operations, including pertinent software and related equipment; web-based communications.

ABILITY

Effectively communicate, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relations; speak effectively in public; maintain confidentiality of sensitive information; meet deadlines; use modern photographic and related electronic equipment; use computers, desk-top publishing applications, applicable presentation tools, and related equipment; act independently in converting complex information into meaningful format for the targeted audience.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical/Mental Requirements: Mobility-frequent operation of a data entry device; repetitive motion; sitting for long periods, walking; occasional standing, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting; climbing stairs; occasional driving; Lifting-frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Visual-constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Hearing/Talking-frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person and in public; Emotional/Psychological-decision making, concentration, public contact and public speaking; Special Requirements-may require working weekends, nights and holidays; occasional travel; Environmental-occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

BENEFITS

Employees hired into this classification are members of a bargaining unit which is represented by SEIU Local 1021 .

Health Insurance : San Joaquin County provides employees with a choice of three health plans: a Kaiser Plan, a Select Plan, and a Premier Plan. Employees pay a portion of the cost of the premium. Dependent coverage is also available.

Dental Insurance : The County provides employees with a choice of two dental plans: Delta Dental and United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan. There is no cost for employee only coverage in either plan; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.

Vision Insurance : The County provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is no cost for employee only coverage; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.

For more detailed information on the County’s benefits program, visit our website at www.sjgov.org under Human Resources/Employee Benefits.

Life Insurance : The County provides eligible employees with life insurance coverage as follows:

1 but less than 3 years of continuous service: $1,000
3 but less than 5 years of continuous service: $3,000
5 but less than 10 years of continuous service: $5,000
10 years of continuous service or more: $10,000

Employee may purchase additional term life insurance at the group rate.

125 Flexible Benefits Plan : This is a voluntary program that allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses that are not paid by a medical, dental or vision plan (Health Flexible Spending Account $2550 annual limit with a $500 carry over); and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan $5000 annual limit).

Retirement Plan : Employees of the County are covered by the County Retirement Law of 1937. Please visit the San Joaquin County Employees’ Retirement Association (SJCERA) at www.sjcera.org for more information. NOTE: If you are receiving a retirement allowance from another California county covered by the County Employees’ Retirement Act of 1937 or from any governmental agency covered by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), you are advised to contact the Retirement Officer of the Retirement Plan from which you retired to determine what effect employment in San Joaquin County would have on your retirement allowance.

Deferred Compensation : The County maintains a deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. You may annually contribute $22,500 or 100% of your includible compensation, whichever is less. Individuals age 50 or older may contribute to their plan, up to $30,000. The Roth IRA (after tax) is also now available.

Vacation : Maximum earned vacation is 10 days each year up to 3 years; 15 days after 3 years; 20 days after 10 years; and 23 days after 20 years.

Holidays : Effective July 1, 2017, all civil service status employees earn 14 paid holidays each year. Please see the appopriate MOU for details regarding holidays, accruals, use, and cashability of accrued time.

Sick Leave : 12 working days of sick leave annually with unlimited accumulation. Sick leave incentive : An employee is eligible to receive eight hours administrative leave if the leave balance equals at least one- half of the cumulative amount that the employee is eligible to accrue. The employee must also be on payroll during the entire calendar year.

Bereavement Leave : 3 days of paid leave for the death of qualifying family member, 2 additional days of accrued leave for death of employee’s spouse, domestic partner, parent or child.

Merit Salary Increase : New employees will receive the starting salary, which is the first step of the salary range. After employees serve 52 weeks (2080 hours) on each step of the range, they are eligible for a merit increase to the next step.

Job Sharing : Employees may agree to job-share a position, subject to approval by a Department Head and the Director of Human Resources.

Educational Reimbursement Program : Eligible employees may be reimbursed for career-related course work up to a maximum of $850 per fiscal year. Eligible employees enrolled in an approved four (4) year College or University academic program may be reimbursed up to $800 per semester for a maximum of $1600 per fiscal year.

Parking Supplemental Downtown Stockton: The County contributes up to $20 per pay period for employees who pay for parking and are assigned to work in the Downtown Core Area.

School Activities : Employees may take up to 40 hours per year, but not more than eight (8) hours per month, to participate in their children’s school activities.

Selection Procedures

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will go through the following examination process:

• Written Exam: The civil service written exam is a multiple choice format. If the written exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.

• Oral Exam: The oral exam is a structured interview process that will assess the candidate’s education, training, and experience and may include a practical exercise. The oral exam selection process is not a hiring interview. A panel of up to four people will determine the candidate’s score and rank for placement on the eligible list. Top candidates from the eligible list are referred for hiring interviews. If the oral exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.

• Written & Oral Exam: If both a written exam and an oral exam is administered, the written exam is weighted at 60% and the oral exam is weighted at 40% unless otherwise indicated on the announcement. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% on each examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.

• Rate-out: A rate-out is an examination that involves a paper rating of the candidate’s application using the following criteria: education, training, and experience. Candidates will not be scheduled for the rate-out process.

Note: The rating of 70 referred to may be the same or other than an arithmetic 70% of the total possible points.

Online Written Exams: Written exams may be administered online. Candidates will be notified of the examination date and will be responsible to complete the written exam within a given period of time (typically within five calendar days). Candidates are required to read the Online Exam Guide for Test Takers prior to taking an online written exam.

The link to the guide is here: Online Exam Guide For Test Takers

PLEASE NOTE:

• Online exams must be completed in one sitting and can only be taken once

• Candidates will have access to an online exam within the allotted time only

• A steady internet connection is highly recommended

• The allotted time will still continue if a candidate closes the window or gets disconnected

• Once the allotted time expires, access to the exam will be unavailable

Microsoft is no longer supporting Internet Explorer. Therefore, it is recommended that candidates do not use Internet Explorer to complete online written exams.

Candidates that do not have access to a computer can contact the Human Resources office at (209)468-3370 for information on accommodations.

Testing Accommodation: Candidates who require testing accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must call Human Resources Division at (209) 468-3370 prior to the examination date.

Veteran’s Points: Eligible veterans, unmarried widows and widowers of veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have been honorably discharged and who have served during wartime shall be given veteran’s points in initial appointment to County service. Eligible veterans receive 5 points and eligible disabled veterans receive 10 points. Disabled veterans must submit a recent award letter stating a 10% service connected disability issued by the United States Veterans Administration. Note: A copy of your DD214 showing the discharge type must be received in the Human Resources by the date of the examination.

Acceptable wartime service dates:

• September 16, 1940 to December 31, 1946
  
• June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955
  
• August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975
  
• Persian Gulf War, August 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.
  

Eligible Lists: Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for nine months, but may be extended by the Human Resources Director for a period which shall not exceed a total of three years from the date established.

Certification/Referral: Names from the eligible list will be referred to the hiring department by the following methods.

• Rule of the Rank: The top rank or ranks of eligibles will be referred for hiring interviews. The minimum number of names to be referred will be equal to the number of positions plus nine, or 10% of the eligible list, whichever is higher. When filling nine or more positions in a department at the same time, the top rank or ranks will be referred and the minimum number of names shall be two times the number of positions to be filled or 10% of the eligible list, whichever is higher. This applies only to open competitive recruitments.

• Rule of Five: The top five names will be referred for hiring interviews. This applies only to department or countywide promotional examination.

Physical Exam: Some classifications require physical examinations. Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the physical examination. The County pays for physical examinations administered in its medical facilities.

Pre-Employment Drug Screening Exam: Some classifications require a new employee successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the drug screen. The County pays for the initial drug screen.

Employment of Relatives: Applicants who are relatives of employees in a department within the 3rd degree of relationship, (parent, child, grand parent, grand child or sibling) either by blood or marriage, may not be appointed, promoted, transferred into or within the department when;

• They are related to the Appointing Authority or
  
• The employment would result in one of them supervising the work of the other.
  

Department Head may establish additional limitations on the hiring of relatives by departmental rule.

Proof of Eligibility: If you are offered a job you will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish your eligibility to be employed in the U.S.

HOW TO APPLY

Please be advised that Human Resources will only be accepting Online Application submittals for this recruitment. Paper application submittals will not be considered or accepted.

Apply Online:

www.sjgov.org/department/hr

Office hours:
Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; excluding holidays.

Phone: (209) 468-3370

Job Line:

For current employment opportunities please call our 24-hour job line at (209) 468-3377.

When a final filing date is indicated, applications must be submitted online to the Human Resources Division before the submission deadline. Resumes and paper applications will not be accepted in lieu of an online application. (The County assumes no responsibility for online applications which are not received by the Human Resources Division).

San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Policy: San Joaquin County has adopted a Substance Abuse Policy in compliance with the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. This policy is enforced by all San Joaquin County Departments and applies to all San Joaquin County employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer : San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo .


Click on a link below to apply for this position:
Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here. View and print the official application form as an Acrobat pdf file. A San Joaquin County application form is required for this recruitment. You may print this Acrobat PDF document and then fill it in. Contact us via conventional means. You may contact us by phone at (209) 468-3370, or by email, or apply for a job in person at the San Joaquin County Human Resources Division.

Closing Date/Time: 11/5/2024 11:59:00 PM

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• San Joaquin County

• 209-953-7325

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