Public Information Officer

Class Concept

Family Focus

Plans, develops, and implements the City's internal and external communications program. Advises City Departments/Divisions and leadership in effective communication efforts. Contributes to positive public and community relations through effective external communications efforts.

Primary Focus

Plans, develops, and implements the City's internal and external communications. Advises City Departments/Divisions and leadership in effective communication efforts. Contributes to positive public and community relations through effective external communications efforts. Serves as an official spokesperson for the organization, ensuring projects, programs, or alerts are communicated clearly, concisely, accurately, and effectively, in a way the public understands.

Given the nature of this classification's duties/responsibilities, it has been designated as Exempt under the governing Fair Labor Standards Act regulations and, therefore, is not entitled to formal overtime compensation and/or formal compensatory time.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Examples of Duties

Essential Functions

Creates and implements internal communication strategies for City employees through weekly communication updates, employee intranet, videos, and more.

Leads the City's social media strategies, implements campaigns, and utilizes analytics and weekly monitoring to improve engagement.

Serves as the Public Information Officer (PIO) for assigned Departments/Divisions and administrative functions; creates communication to both employees and the public through e-mails, letters, presentations, newspaper/magazine columns, videos, public meetings, and more; creates communication for employees regarding benefits, wellness, employee appreciation, and other necessary topics through e-mails, brochures, videos, and more.

Collaborates with City Departments/Divisions, administrative functions, and staff on proactive key message development and effective communications.

Collaborates with Departments/Divisions on community engagement – soliciting, collecting, and presenting public input for special projects and programs.

Represents the City as an ambassador to neighborhood leaders; communicates regularly to association presidents and organizes bi-annual meetings in which City officials provide presentations to neighborhood leaders.

Develops multi-faceted campaigns for Department/Division marketing initiatives, including various traditional and digital media tactics.

Coordinates and implements social media strategies for the City.

Writes effective content for a variety of channels – websites, social media, video outlines, scripts, new releases, e-news, key message documents, letters, reports, and print pieces communicating projects, programs, or alerts.

Responds to media inquiries and coordinates media coverage during incidents; also works proactively with media to tell Dublin's story in a fair, accurate, and positive fashion.

Collaborates with consultants, photographers, videographers, and graphic designers in the production of communications tools or programs.

Serves as liaison to community organizations to collaborate on communications, marketing, or promotion of events.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or other relevant field and some experience in public relations or other communications role, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge of strategic communications, marketing, public relations, and the latest communication trends.

Knowledge of writing press releases, newspaper/magazine columns, and talking points.

Knowledge of social media.

Knowledge of governmental/nonprofit operations preferred.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Excellent copy editing skills.

Excellent social media skills.

Excellent media relations skills.

Excellent creativity skills.

Excellent project management skills.

Excellent Microsoft Office skills.

Adobe Creative Suite skills preferred.

Videography/photography and video editing skills preferred.

Event coordination skills preferred.

Presentation skills preferred.

Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Ability to collaborate with team members.

Ability to engage community members and partners preferred.

Physical Requirements

Ability to use computer terminals for sustained input and processing.

Ability to operate standard office equipment (e.g. personal computer, fax, copier, telephone).

Ability to work outdoors and long hours during ceremonial/recognition events and observances.

Ability to work in all types of weather conditions specifically for response to police PIO incidents and during events and observances.

Special Requirements

Valid driver's license.

Other Requirements

Demonstration of the following established core values: Integrity, Respect,

Communication, Teamwork, Accountability, Positive Attitude, and Dedication to Service.

Regular attendance, as governed by and in accordance with applicable rules, regulations, procedures and laws, is regarded as an essential requirement of this classification.

Compliance with training directives established by supervisory/managerial personnel.

Adherence to all applicable Federal and State safety laws, rules, and regulations and City safety policies/procedures.

Core Competencies

Customer Focus: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services, acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.

Interpersonal Savvy: Relates well to all kinds of people-up, down, and sideways, inside and outside the organization; builds appropriate rapport; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably.

Functional/Technical Skills: Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment.

Problem Solving: Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; probes all fruitful sources for answers; can see hidden problems; is excellent at honest analysis; looks beyond the obvious and doesn't stop at the first answers.

Dealing with Ambiguity: Can effectively cope with change; can shift gears comfortably; can decide and act without having the total picture; isn't upset when things are up in the air; doesn't have to finish things before moving on; can comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.

Time Management: Makes decisions in a timely manner, sometimes with incomplete information and under tight deadlines and pressure; able to make a quick decision.

Patience: Is tolerant with people and processes; listens and checks before acting; tries to understand the people and the data before making judgments and acting; waits for others to catch up before acting; sensitive to due process and proper pacing; follows established process.

Action Oriented: Enjoys working hard; is action oriented and full of energy for the things he/she sees as challenging; not fearful of acting with a minimum of planning; seizes more opportunities than others.

Learning on the Fly: Learns quickly when facing new problems; a relentless and versatile learner; open to change; analyzes both successes and failures for clues to improvement; experiments and will try anything to find solutions; enjoys the challenge of unfamiliar tasks; quickly grasps the essence and the underlying structure of anything.

Priority Setting: Spends his/her time and the time of others on what's important; quickly zeros in on the critical few and puts the trivial many aside; can quickly sense what will help or hinder accomplishing a goal; eliminates roadblocks; creates focus.

Drug-Free Workplace

The City of Dublin is a drug-free workplace (AO 2.35) which prohibits the use of controlled substances including marijuana. As permitted by law and in accordance with City Policy, new hires must pass a pre-employment drug test before appointment to any City position. Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to Administrative Orders 2.38, or as outlined in the posting.

EEO Statement

The City of Dublin is committed to establishing and maintaining an inclusive and equitable community. We work to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We actively celebrate colleagues’ differences, support them through their careers with us, and prohibit discrimination and harassment. We strive to ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities that allow individuals and groups to feel safe, respected, motivated, and valued. Creating a culture of equity and belonging helps to ensure we meet the needs of all residents, visitors, and City of Dublin employees.