Communications and Public Information Officer

This classification is scheduled to receive a 5% COLA effective July 2027.

This position serves as the Communications and Public Information Officer (PIO) for Butte County, responsible for developing and implementing countywide strategic communications. The PIO disseminates accurate and timely information to the public about county programs, policies, and events, through press releases, statements, social media, and other channels. The position advises County leadership on media relations and facilitates effective and factual media coverage.

Note: A training and experience evaluation may be utilized to determine an applicant's ranking among qualified candidates. Based upon information provided in this application including responses to supplemental questions, an applicant's education, training and experience (full-time equivalent) may be evaluated. Applicants should provide thoughtful and thorough responses to supplemental questions as they play an important role in this recruitment process. All qualifying work experience that is described or included in responses to supplemental questions MUST also be included and detailed in the "Work Experience" section of this application. "See Resume" is not an acceptable response for any supplemental question.

FLSA: Exempt 

DEFINITION
Under executive administrative direction, leads and oversees the County’s public information and strategic communications function; works with the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and County executive leadership to develop countywide communication policies and guidelines; develops, organizes, and implements a comprehensive countywide communications and community relations program that supports organizational priorities and strengthens community engagement; advises and assists appointed and elected department heads, members of the Board of Supervisors, and County executive leadership on public information and community relations activities; informs and engages the public regarding activities and services of County departments by developing and disseminating information through various communications channels; represents the County in high-profile communications with the media, stakeholders, and the public; researches issues, makes recommendations, and produces reports and informational materials on a variety of topics; and develops content for websites and social media platforms; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direction from the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer or designee. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This single-position classification is responsible for providing strategic leadership over the County’s public information and communication function.  The incumbent must be sensitive to the impact of County programs on the community and be able to work independently and creatively to communicate program goals, strategic direction, and operational issues in an effective and tactful manner.  The role carries broad authority for developing, coordinating, and managing a comprehensive countywide communications and community engagement program.  The position is responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and managing a countywide strategy for public information, media relations, internal and external communications, and community relations programs, with the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines.  The incumbent is responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include comprehensive knowledge of public information and community relations programs. The incumbent serves as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies.
Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics.  The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.
 

• Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of the highly visible countywide communications and public information program to support organizational priorities and engage internal and external audiences.
• Serves as the County’s advisor on media relations, public messaging and communication strategy, and coaches County leaders and departments on media protocols and response practices. 
• Prepares and directs the creation and dissemination of written, digital, and multimedia materials including newsletter, reports, press releases, speeches, presentations, and major publications. 
• Provides creative direction for visual communications, including design, layout, and content. 
• Acts as the County’s primary spokesperson and represents the organization with the media, community groups, partner agencies, and the public to seek support for public programs, suggest new editorial ideas, encourage coverage of County issues, direct reporters to stories and cultivate future stories.
• Acts as the County’s lead public information officer during emergencies and disasters, including wildfires; coordinates with emergency management personnel to ensure accurate and timely public messaging.
• Provides technical guidance and consultation to management and staff on cross-departmental and departmental communications, projects, and programs; provides training on media-related processes and procedures. 
• Advises Board of Supervisors members, Chief Administrative Officer, department heads, management, and staff on media relations; provides guidance on preparing, presenting, and distributing informational materials and communications; and prepares materials and scripts for use.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the news media, community groups, elected officials, and other governmental agencies and/or stakeholders to meet communication and outreach needs; provides information on County services, events, and newsworthy incidents.
• Manages public outreach efforts; plans, arranges, and coordinates briefings, workshops, and information sessions. 
• Oversees and implements the County’s social media program and policies; maintains countywide social media platforms and presence; creates digital content by applying graphic design principles and using video editing applications.
• Serves as public information officer in emergency operations center during disasters and emergencies.
• Researches, compiles, and summarizes data from various sources; writes and edits presentations, speeches, scripts, news releases, public relations articles, factsheets, brochures, bulletins, graphic materials, reports, and educational materials.
• Organizes and maintains accurate and detailed databases, electronic and physical files, and records; verifies accuracy of information, researches discrepancies, and records information; ensures compliance with established records retention schedules including archiving, scanning, and destructing files. 
• Receives, processes, and responds to public records requests, complaints, and other requests for information; researches and organizes information; coordinates resolution to problems and issues.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications to remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in the field of public information and community relations.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes and ordinances, and County policies and procedures relevant to public information and community relations programs. 
• Principles, practices, and procedures related to public agency public information function.
• Practices of researching issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing effective reports and related materials. 
• Methods and techniques of preparing reports and general business correspondence. 
• Crisis and emergency communications techniques.
• Methods and techniques used in evaluating public attitude regarding countywide operations and issues and the determination of public affairs needs.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of strategic communication, public information, media relations, graphic design, and community relations programs.
• Principles, techniques, and practices of journalism including expository writing and editing.
• Methods to prepare, design, layout, produce, and disseminate educational, informational, and promotional materials.
• Best practices for social media and digital content.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To:

• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed. 
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, and implement recommendations in support of goals. 
• Effectively represent the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments. 
• Organize and maintain accurate recordkeeping systems. 
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Plan, develop, and implement public information, media relations, and community relations programs.
• Assist in developing and implementing countywide policies, guidelines, and procedures for communications and dissemination of public information.?  
• Assess political environment and develop appropriate communication strategies. 
• Write and edit presentations, speeches, scripts, news releases, public relations articles, factsheets, brochures, bulletins, graphic materials, and educational materials.
• Oversee and implement the County’s social media program and policies.
• Provide creative direction for visual communications including design, layout, and content.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public administration, journalism, marketing, communications, public relations, political science, or a related field; and

Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in public communications, public relations, marketing, or communications strategy, with at least one (1) year of experience within a public agency preferred.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Must possess a valid US driver’s license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver’s license following hire date per California DMV regulations.

 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen. 
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. 
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. 

 
WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. 
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.  

 
EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

• Equipment utilized includes personal computer and standard office equipment.

 
Disaster Service Worker
All Butte County 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.