Public Information Specialist Senior

Minimum Qualifications

• 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:
None.
Notes to Applicants
JOB PREVIEWS :

The Senior Public Information Specialist serves as a key member of the Economic Development Department’s ( EDD ) Public Information Office ( PIO ) team-leading digital marketing and communications initiatives. This role is responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies for EDD’s divisions, managing the department’s website as one of the Drupal Specific Point of Contact ( SPOC ), and enhancing the operational efficiency of the PIO team. Additional duties include supervising team members, creating long-range strategic communication plans, overseeing the production of public information materials, and collaborating across divisions on community-supporting projects.

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

The City of Austin employment application is an official document. Please be sure that your application is a reflection of your entire work history.

• Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job titles and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered. Describe your specific experience for each position. Include all job duties, responsibilities, and employment dates.
• A résumé is required, but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Please include contact information from previous employers.
• A cover letter is also required. In the cover letter candidates should describe, in concise detail, their interest in this position and highlight any prior experience that is relevant to this position.
• A skills assessments will be required for this position.

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 are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
• This position requires 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, training opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more 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.
Pay Range
$32.23 - $40.29
Hours
Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Core Business Hours)

Effective January 1, 2024 , non-executive staff eligible to telework must be in the office for at least 60% of their schedule within a two (2) week period.
Job Close Date 01/30/2025 Type of Posting External Department Economic Development Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 5202 E Ben White Blvd Suite 300, Austin, TX 78741 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications Include:

• Experience writing content for diverse communications such as news releases, external newsletters, and social media.
• Experience with content management platforms with a preference for experience managing websites built in Drupal.
• Experience with lead responsibilities.
• Experience in project management.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish
• 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 does not require 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 Questions

Required 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?

• 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)
* Describe your experience with Content Management Systems, preferable extensive experience managing websites built in Drupal.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience with Lead responsibilities. Please indicate in your response which position on your application you gained this experience from and for how long. If you do not have this experience, please answer "N/A."
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

* Describe your experience writing content for diverse communications such as news releases, external newsletters, and social media. Please indicate in your response which position in your application you gained this experience from and for how long. If you do not have this experience, please answer “N/A”
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents

• 

• City of Austin

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